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Dakota College at Bottineau Course Syllabus
Course Prefix/Number/Title:
PSYC 280—Introduction to Health Psychology
Number of credits:
3 credits
Course Description:
Health is not just about physical ailments and taking medicine. One’s thoughts, emotions and behaviors
are all influential factors in health. This course examines how biological, psychological, and social factors
interact with and affect health. Students will gain an understanding of the important role that psychology
plays within the health care system. Everyone has experienced some kind of health issue. I encourage you
to relate your own experiences to the topics we discuss in class. This course will consist of lecture,
discussion, and group work
Schedule:
Fall, full-term
Pre-/Co-requisites:
None
Course Objectives:
Students will:
1.
Demonstrate an understanding of health psychology, including the field’s history, methods, and
future directions.
2.
Apply the biopsychosocial model of health psychology to concepts covered in class (i.e.,
understand that physical well-being is the result of complex biological, social, and psychological
factors).
3.
Appraise their own health including history, current behaviors, and implications for one’s future
health.
4.
Implement a health behavior change project.
5.
Identify and examine factors involved in different health issues (i.e., causes, maintenance,
prevention, and treatment factors).
Instructor:
Lexi R. Kvasnicka-Gates, Ph.D.
Office:
Thatcher Hall 2208
Office Hours: