Personal and Community Health: Course Syllabus and Success Guide

Course Overview

This course, KINE-1304: Personal/Community Health, provides an introduction to the fundamentals, concepts, strategies, applications, and contemporary trends related to understanding personal and community health issues. The course is designed to empower students with the knowledge and skills necessary to practice healthy living, promote healthy lifestyles, and enhance individual and community well-being.

Course Learning Outcomes

• Evaluate the dimensions of health and their relationship to personal and community wellness.

• Explain the importance of nutrition, a healthy lifestyle, and physical activity in preventing premature disease and promoting wellness.

• Describe leading health problems, trends, and needs of diverse populations.

• Identify major agencies, foundations, and associations supporting health at local, state, national, and international levels, as well as data tools and resources.

• Evaluate sources of health information, including the internet, to determine reliability.

• Develop and implement a plan of healthy behavior to meet personal and community needs and enhance quality of life.

Required Materials

• Textbook: Health: The Basics, 14th Edition, Rebecca J. Donatelle

• Access to a computer with a reliable internet connection

• Digital materials are integrated into eCampus for this course

Course Structure and Schedule

Weekly Topics

The course is organized into weekly modules, each covering specific chapters that align with the core topics of personal health:

• Week 1: Chapters 1 & 2 – Introduction to Health, Psychological Health

• Week 2: Chapters 3, 4, & 5 – Stress Management, Sleep, Preventing Violence and Injury

• Week 3: Chapters 6a & 7 – Communication, Reproductive Choices

• Week 4: Chapters 8 & 9 – Addiction, Alcohol, and Tobacco Use

• Week 5: Chapters 10, 11, & 12 – Nutrition, Healthy Weight, Personal Fitness

• Week 6: Chapters 13 & 14 – Cardiovascular Disease, Cancer, Infectious Diseases, STIs

• Week 7: Chapters 15, 15b, & 16 – Health Care Choices, Environmental Health

• Week 8: Final Exam Week

Assignments and Evaluation

• Discussions (25%): Weekly participation in discussion boards.

• Pearson Mastering (20%): Online chapter work to reinforce understanding.

• Dropboxes (30%): Assignments to expand knowledge on weekly topics.

• Exams (25%): Midterm (10%, Chapters 1-7) and cumulative final (15%, Chapters 1-16).

Key Course Policies

• Attendance: Regular participation is essential. Excused absences are limited to religious observances, official institutional functions, and military service.

• Class Participation: Constitutes at least 10% of the final grade.

• Late Work: Not accepted unless prior arrangements are made according to college policy.

• Academic Integrity: All students must adhere to Blinn College’s policies on scholastic integrity and civility.

• Disability Services: Students requiring accommodations should contact the Office of Disability Services and provide appropriate documentation.

Tips for Academic Success

• Check the eCampus calendar regularly for assignment deadlines and updates.

• Participate actively in all online discussions and assignments.

• Utilize campus resources such as computer labs and the library for reliable internet access.

• Contact your instructor promptly if you encounter difficulties or require assistance.

Course Schedule Overview

Week	Topics/Chapters	Key Assignments
1	Ch. 1 Health: Getting There- Staying There! Ch. 2 Promoting and Preserving Your Psychological Health	Welcome Quiz, Orientation, APA Formatting, Discussion Board
2	Ch. 3 Managing Stress and Coping with Life's Challenges Ch. 4 Improving Your Sleep Ch. 5 Preventing Violence and Injury	Pearson Assignments, Stress, Drowsy Driving, Violent Crime Discussions
3	Ch. 6 Connecting and Communicating in the Modern World Ch. 7 Considering Your Reproductive Choices	Sexuality Education, Abortion, Texas Health Issues
4	Ch. 8 Recognizing and Avoiding Addiction and Drug Abuse Ch. 9 Drinking Alcohol Responsibly and Ending Tobacco Use	Addiction, Virtual Bar, Self-Assessment
5	Ch. 10 Nutrition: Eating for a Healthier You Ch. 11 Reaching and Maintaining a Healthy Weight Ch. 12 Improving Your Personal Fitness	Diet Analysis, Obesity, Exercise Prescription
6	Ch. 13 Reducing Your Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer Ch. 14 Protecting Against Infectious Diseases and STIs	Cancer Risk, Infographics
7	Ch. 15 Making Smart Health Care Choices Ch. 16 Promoting Environmental Health	Alternative Medicine, Air Quality Index
8	Final Exam	Comprehensive Assessment

Additional Information

• All assignments must be submitted via eCampus for grading.

• Students are responsible for monitoring their Blinn College email for important communications.

• Technical issues should be reported to the Help Desk with documentation retained for assignment extensions if needed.