Stress Management - Online Health Ed. 12 - Syllabus

Course Information:

Units: 3

This course is being administered on the ANGEL Learning course management system.

Prerequisites: None

Transferrability: This course is transferrable to all UC and CSU colleges and universities as well as most other colleges and universities across the country.

Instructor Information:

Name: Joan Sarlo

Campus Email - joan_sarlo@westvalley.edu

Office hours - virtual

Instructor Homepage - http://instruct.westvalley.edu/sarlo/

Phone: 408-741-2017

Educational Background:

• B.A. Physical Education, San Jose State University

• M.A. Physical Education, San Jose State University

Course Description:

Stressors are a component of daily life. How one deals with these stressors determines whether that stress will produce growth or the breakdown of body systems. This course will help you understand the basic principles of holistic stress management through the presentation of coping skills, the study of the mind-body relationship in stress management (psychophysiology of stress), cognitive reappraisal of daily life stressors, and techniques to deal with these stressors. These cognitive strategies and relaxation techniques are the cornerstones for optimal health and will help one, throughout life, to manage stressors in a healthful and productive manner.

The course will include the study of the mind-body relationship and the psychophysiology of stress including the relationship of the stress reaction to specific illnesses and disease. Throughout the semester we will discuss how stress develops, how the body reacts on a physiological level, investigate stress-related disorders and diseases, and explore positive ways of coping with stress. You will also be introduced to the history of Stress Management and develop and understanding of the pioneers in the field of stress.

Textbook:

Comprehensive Stress Management, Greenberg, Jerrold S., McGraw-Hill, New York, 2005 (9th or 10th Edition)

9th Edition ISBN number: 0-07-297240-8

10th Edition ISBN number: 0-07-352962-1

Course Requirements:

You may receive a grade for this course or select a credit/no credit option. To receive a grade or credit for this course you must complete the course requirements listed below.

• Read chapters 1 - 13 throughout the semester as assigned on the weekly class calendar.
• Complete the quiz for each chapter (1-13) within Angel as assigned on the class calendar.
• Submit hard copy of assigned portfolio entries (either submitted to my campus mailbox or mail it to me).
• Submit all interactive assignments as a written email within Angel.
• Complete the final exam within Angel as assigned on the class calendar.
• Respond through threaded discussions to the four critical thinking topics posed throughout the semester.

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:

• Understand the stress process and its relation to health and disease.
• Incorporate stress reducing practices into your own life-style.
• Understand the sociological, philosophical, and psychological structures of stress management.
• Demonstrate a theoretical knowledge of the stress process through a passing grade on objective examinations.
• Develop a stress management plan.
• Demonstrate competency in several stress reduction procedures as presented in class.

Course Content:

• The stress process-psychophysiology of stress and disease
• Life patterns and behavior associated with stress-coping mechanisms
• Reappraise daily life stressors
• Techniques to deal with these stressors in a healthful and productive manner
• Stress interventions, relaxation techniques and cognitive intervention strategies
• Stress, management plan
• The psychophysiology of stress-what happens to your body when under stress

Computer and Browser Issues:

You MUST be computer competent to take this course and be able to navigate computer programs, use the Internet, and send and receive e-mail, including "Word" document attachments.  If you have not mastered these skills, you must take a computer class prior to taking this on-line course.  In addition, you will need a reliable computer and on-line access to complete this course.

This course requires the basic skills of college level reading, college level writing, and mastery of study skills. On-line students must be able to study independently, follow the on-line assignments and read the accompanying textbook.  It is expected that you have already mastered these skills prior to taking this course. 
 
ANGEL Learning course management system:
Students will complete all assignments and exams through the ANGEL course management program.  There are no on-campus meetings.  All e-mail communication with the instructor will be done through ANGEL e-mail. 
 
Students using a PC computer should use Internet Explorer as their browser.

Students using an Apple computer should use Firefox as their browser.

To learn how to download the most current version of these applications to your computer and for additional problem solving, use the following link:

Click here to access the browser issues web page

Grading

You will be graded on the quality of your assignments, online participation, and performance on the weekly quizzes and the final exam. Each quiz will be a combination of multiple choice and true/false. You will be quizzed on information from the text book and lectures.

You may choose to take this class for a letter grade or credit/no credit. Credit requires a C grade or higher. Credit/No Credit students must complete all assignments to receive credit.

Grading Range:

Course grade is determined by your performance on the following:
13 Quizzes at 25 points each (for a total of 325 points)
Final Exam 50 points (50 questions with a value of 1 point each)
On-line Participation, four discussion topics at 10 points each (for a total of 40 points)
Stress Portfolio Project 100 points
4 worksheets at 10 points each (for a total of 40 points)
Total 550 Pts.
   

Letter Grade or Credit / No Credit Option is available.

Links:

Stress Management: Ten Self-care Techniques

revised July 2, 2008