Psychology is defined as the scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behavior in a given context. This course will draw upon health psychology, public health, and community psychology to emphasize how psychology contributes to overall health, as well as the cause, progression, and outcomes of physical illness.  This course will highlight the many roles that psychology plays in health and illness including,  the role of health behaviors and behavior change;  beliefs about illness; symptom perception; help-seeking and communication with health professions; stress, pain and chronic conditions such as obesity, coronary heart disease and HIV; the role of gender on health; and health outcomes in terms of quality of life and life expectancy.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes:

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Examine the key theoretical frameworks which underpin a psychological approach to physical health
2. Assess the role of health behaviors in explaining health
3. Analyze the psychological factors involved health behaviors as well as the perception and illness and treatment
4. Distinguish the importance of psychological health outcomes including quality of life and health status
5. Explore the Burp Suite tool and various OWASP rules in bug hunting.

Course Schedule and Topics

This course will cover the following topics in eight learning sessions, with one Unit per week. The Final Exam will take place during Week/Unit 9 (UoPeople time).
Week 1: Unit 1 – Key Theoretical Frameworks of Psychology and Health
Week 2: Unit 2 – The Role of Beliefs in Health-Related Behavior
Week 3: Unit 3 – Behavior Change
Week 4: Unit 4 – The Role of Cognition, Help-Seeking, and Communication in Illness
Week 5: Unit 5 – The Experience of Stress and Pain in the Context of Illness
Week 6: Unit 6 – Psychology and Chronic Illness
Week 7: Unit 7 – Gender and Health
Week 8: Unit 8 – Health Outcomes and Quality of Life (QoL)
Week 9: Unit 9 – Course Review and Final Exam

Learning Guide

The following is an outline of how this course will be conducted, with suggested best practices for students.

Unit 1: Key Theoretical Frameworks of Psychology and Health

• Introduce yourself in the Course Forum
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete an entry in the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz

Unit 2: The Role of Behavior in Health

• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Complete an entry in the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz

Unit 3: Behavior Change

• Peer assess Unit 2 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete an entry in the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz
• Take the Graded Quiz

Unit 4: The Role of Cognition, Help-Seeing, and Communication in Illness

• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete an entry in the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz

Unit 5: The Experiences of Stress and Pain in the Context of Illness

• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Complete an entry in the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz

Unit 6: Psychology and Chronic Illness

• Peer assess Unit 5 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete an entry in the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz
• Take the Graded Quiz

Unit 7: Gender and Health

• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Complete an entry in the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz

Unit 8: Health Outcomes and Quality of Life (QoL)

• Peer assess Unit 7 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete an entry in the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz
• Complete and submit the anonymous Course Evaluation
• Read the Unit 9 Learning Guide carefully for instructions on the Final Exam
• Take the Review Quiz

Unit 9: Course Review and Final Exam

• Read the Learning Guide and take the Review Quiz, if you haven’t already done so
• Prepare for, take, and submit the Final Exam

The Final Exam will take place during the Thursday and Sunday of Week/Unit 9 (UoPeople time); exact dates, times, and other details will be provided accordingly by your instructor