Concordia University

Department of Health, Kinesiology & Applied Physiology

Current Issues in Personal and Community Health
EXCI 233/2A (3 credits
Fall 2019

Course Outline

INSTRUCTOR: Patricia Rehel, HKAP Dep’t., Faculty of Arts & Science

CLASS HOURS, PLACE: Monday, Wednesday, 10:15-11:30, FG-C-080
OFFICE HOURS: M-W, 12:00-13:00, T-J, 13:30-14:30 or by appointment
OFFICE LOCATION H1126, 11th Floor, Hall Building, directly opposite the elevators
OFFICE PHONE: 514-848-2424-4494 (only during office hours) or 3327 (leave message)
E-MAIL ADDRESS: patricia.rehel@concordia.ca
COURSE WEB SITE: Moodle site available to registered students through MyConcordia portal
PREREQUISITES: none

Note: Since the best way to communicate with me is by email, please ensure that your computer is set to
permit emails from the above-named email address. Please also include the course number (EXCI233) in the
subject line for every email you send.

A. Course Description
This course presents an overview of factors influencing personal and community health.
Students are exposed to prevalent physical and mental health issues from biological, psychological,
and sociological points of view. Health-related consequences of alcohol abuse, drugs, birth control,
sedentary lifestyle, eating disorders, and communicable diseases are among the topics considered.
Lectures only. No prerequisites.

B. Method of Instruction
Instruction will consist of lectures, group discussions, guest lecturers, videos and in-class and/or
online activities. Relevant class notes will be posted on the course website before each lecture.

C. Objectives
On completion of this course, students should:
1. be able to recognize the different components that contribute to health of the individual as well as
the health of the family and community.
2. understand and be able to explain some of the evolving health issues that affect health from both a
personal and community perspective.
3. have acquired the knowledge to achieve optimal health presently and to maintain their health
throughout all phases of the lifespan.
4. have explored how different behaviours affect health and which behaviours contribute to optimal
health.

D. Recommended Course Material

Text material will be available in PDF format through the library reserve system. Moodle will link you
to these readings. In other cases, material can be readily accessed directly from internet sites (website
addresses will be given in the notes).

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E. Grading
The evaluation of this course is by two midterms, in-class/online activities, journal entries, and one
final exam written during the final exam period. Exams will be a combination of multiple-choice and short
answer questions. The final exam is not cumulative; please see schedule for which topics are covered for
each exam. Exam questions are based on text material, readings and material presented by guest speakers.
Consult page 4 of this course outline for dates of the midterm exams.
Activities are sometimes to be done in class alone or in a group; or others are to be done at home, in a
group or separately. You will be informed ahead of time of an upcoming in-class activity.
At least 5 Moodle journal entries are required during the course of the semester (1 point for each
entry). Only the first journal is mandatory. In the journal, there may be specific questions that are posed to
you that you need to answer. At other times, you may be expected to express your thoughts about either of
the topics dealt with during the week—e.g. what was completely new or surprising, if this information
affected you personally, whether this sparked further interest in the topic, etc. Thoughtful entries are
required, not just short answers to questions that may be asked.
In addition, there is an optional volunteer component. Students who choose to perform the volunteer
project will be evaluated using Scheme A listed below. Those students who choose not to complete the
volunteer component will be evaluated using Scheme B. The date by which you must inform me about
doing the Volunteer Project is firm, and, once you have made your choice, you cannot change your
marking scheme. It is not necessary to inform me if you decide against doing
the Volunteer Project.
The Volunteer Project consists of spending a minimum of 20 hours during the current term
performing volunteer work (10% of total mark), and the submission of a 7-8 paged, double-spaced journal
(10% of total mark). The journal should provide a description of your volunteer experience. Students who
correctly follow the instructions for the Volunteer Project usually achieve respectable to excellent grades.
Details about the Volunteer Project will be provided separately.

Description Scheme A Scheme B

Midterm Exam 1 20% 25%
Midterm Exam 2 20% 25%
Activities, total 5% 5%
Journal entries 5% 5%
Final Exam 30% 40%
Volunteer Project 20% Not applicable
TOTAL 100% 100%

Explanation of Grading System for the Department of Health, Kinesiology and Applied Physiology
Subjective Descriptor Grade Grade Points Numerical
Grade
Outstanding A+ 4.30 90-100
A 4.00 85-89
A- 3.70 80-84
Very Good B+ 3.30 77-79
B 3.00 73-76
B- 2.70 70-72
Satisfactory C+ 2.30 67-69
C 2.00 63-66
C- 1.70 60-62
Marginal Pass D+ 1.30 57-59
D 1.00 53-56
D- 0.70 50-52
Poor-Failure F 0 <50
FNS 0 <50
Very Poor- Failure R 0 <50
Grade Not Reported NR 0
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 Failing Grades include “F,” “FNS,” “R,” and “NR” notations. “F” indicates failure in a course in which a
supplemental examination is available. “FNS” indicates failure in a course in which no supplemental
examination is available

F. Examination Attendance
Students must present their valid Concordia University ID card, driver’s license or Medicare card, at
ALL exams, to be permitted to write the exam.
Students are expected to write the midterms and final examinations on the scheduled dates and times.
If any student is unable to write any midterm exam, he or she must contact the course instructor as soon
as possible and provide valid, documented evidence of illness, medical emergency or personal family
difficulty. If the documented evidence is acceptable, an alternate date will be selected to write the missed
midterm exam. Failure to follow this policy may result in the assignment of a zero grade for the midterm
exam.
In contrast, students unable to write the final exam on the scheduled date and time are obliged to
contact the Examinations Office (examsoffice@concordia.ca) and formally apply for either a “DEF” or
“MED” notation, which is explained in greater detail in Concordia University's 2019-2020 Undergraduate
Calendar. Please refer to Articles 16.3.4 and 16.3.8 of the Undergraduate Calendar:
https://www.concordia.ca/academics/undergraduate/calendar/current/contents.html

G. Course Policies and Information for Students

CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY MISSION STATEMENT
Concordia University is an urban university, which is responsive to the needs of a diverse student
population as well as to the bilingual and multicultural environment in which it resides. It is a welcoming
community where values of equality, non-discrimination and tolerance of diversity are appreciated and
actively promoted. Furthermore, Concordia is committed to responsible and innovative leadership in fulfilling
the mission of universities to develop and disseminate knowledge and values and to act as a social critic.
The University seeks to achieve this end by offering its students inclusive and accessible academic
programs which stress a broad-based, interdisciplinary approach to learning, by fostering an environment
of academic and pedagogical freedom, as well as by a dedication to superior teaching supported by the
best possible research, scholarship, creative activity and service to society. Through these means, the
University prepares its graduates, at all levels, to live as informed and responsibly critical citizens who are
committed to learning and to the spirit of enquiry.

Course notes are available on the course website, by the latest the Friday preceding the upcoming
week’s classes. The notes are a summation of the important points of the text. They are not to be
considered a substitute for the text or for class attendance. You should prepare for class by reading the
text and notes. If you prepare before class, you will be better able to take part in discussions/activities
during class. After class, you should be reviewing the prepared notes, the text and your notations made
during class. Performing these tasks should give you a good understanding of course material.
It has been shown that to be successful in a course, students should spend two hours of study for each
hour of class time.
In-class activities will consist of health scenarios to analyze, practice sheets, etc.
Exams are a combination of multiple choice and short answer questions. No calculators or dictionaries
will be required during exams. Please make sure you come to the exam with the supplies necessary
(pencil, eraser, pen is optional) for the exam. Multiple choice computer exam sheets must be marked in HB
pencil or automatic pencil. Short answer questions may be answered in pen or pencil on the exam sheet
itself.
The Final Exam is NOT cumulative, and will be scheduled during the final exam period. The date will
be available later on your MyConcordia page.

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H. Tentative Schedule of Lectures and Midterms
Please note that the dates of presentation of some topics are subject to change.

Topic Tentative Dates

1 1Introduction to Course, Course Outline, Volunteer Project 4 September
2 Invitation to Health 9 September
3 Understanding and Interpreting Medical Terminology 11 September
4 *Time Management & Avoiding Procrastination –Deadline for course 16 September
withdrawal with refund
5 Personal Fitness 18 September
6 Personal Nutrition, part 1 23 September
7 Personal Nutrition, part 2-Deadline for handing in Volunteer Sign-up Form 25 September
8 Obesity, Weight Management 30 September
9 Midterm 1-Topics 2-7 2 October
10 * Concordia Farmer’s Market-Organic Foods 7 October
11 * Eating Disorders 9 October
Thanksgiving Day- Reminder-no class-Makeup day-3 December 14 October
12 Infectious Diseases 16 October
13 *Healthy Sexuality, Protecting Oneself from STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) 21 October
14 Food Safety 23 October
15 Your Inner Life 28 October
16 Sleep Needs 30 October
17 Midterm 2, topics 8, 10-15 4 November
(Deadline for academic withdrawal, no refund, 5th November )
18 *Addictive Gambling 6 November
19 Cancer 11 November
20 *Staying Safe-Preparing for an Emergency 13 November
21 Cardiovascular Diseases 18 November
22 *Drug Use and Abuse 20 November
23 Organ Donation, Transplantation 25 November
24 Infertility & Reproductive Technology-Course Evaluation 27 November
25 *Alzheimer Disease 2 December
26 Environment Tuesday, 3
Volunteer journals due December
Final Exam, topics 16, 18-26 TBA
* Denotes possible guest speaker

I. Students’ Rights and Responsibilities

All interactions in class will be civil, respectful, and supportive of an inclusive learning environment for all students.
Class attendance and promptness are expected. It is your responsibility to be prepared at all times. You are
responsible for any materials missed due to absence.
Following university guidelines, cell phones and other communication devices must be turned off and not kept
with you during exams. Personal belongings are to be left at the front or the back of the room during exams.
Disruptive behaviour will not be tolerated at any time, either during exams or during class.
ETHICS/VIOLATIONS OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: Concordia University places the principle of academic
integrity, that is, honesty, responsibility and fairness in all aspects of academic life, as one of its highest values. Instructors,
students and administrators are expected to be honest and responsible in their academic conduct and fair in their assessment
of academic matters. Concordia’s academic code of conduct can be consulted at:
http://www.concordia.ca/academics/undergraduate/calendar/current/17-10.html. It is the responsibility of
the university to uphold academic integrity. If a member of the university has reasonable grounds to believe that a student
has committed an offence according to the Academic Code of Conduct, that member will promptly report his/her findings to
the appropriate authority as defined in Articles 29 to 31 or 35 to 36 of this Academic Code of Conduct.
The most common offense under Concordia’s Academic Code of Conduct is plagiarism, which the Code defines as
“the presentation of the work of another person as one’s own or without proper acknowledgement”. Do not
copy, paraphrase or translate anything from anywhere without saying from where you obtained it.

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 Any form of cheating, or plagiarism, as well as any other form of dishonest behaviour, intentional or not, related to the
obtaining of gain, academic or otherwise, or the interference in evaluative exercises committed by a student is an offence
under this Code. Any attempt at or participation related in any way to an offence by a student is also an offence. (Article 18-
Academic Code of Conduct). Please consult Concordia’s Academic Code of Conduct
http://www.concordia.ca/students/academic-integrity/plagiarism.html to obtain the required information on maintaining
academic integrity at all times.

J. Resources for Students

The following is a list of services that can help you improve your experience at Concordia.
• Concordia Counselling and Psychological Services can work with you to enhance your psychological health,
wellness and success as a student. As well, this department can provide psychological counseling and support for
those dealing with stress, anxiety, relationship problems, questions about ones major, etc.
http://www.concordia.ca/students/counselling.html
• Student Success Centre provides support throughout your time at Concordia and beyond. This starts at initial
orientation to university life, developing your academic skills, through to planning your career. This centre can help
with tutoring, how to study, time management, and a variety of useful workshops.
http://www.concordia.ca/students/success/about-ssc.html
• The Concordia Library Citation and Style guides provide you with guidance and examples of how to correctly cite
sources in your work.
http://library.concordia.ca/help/citing/index.php
• Advocacy and Support Services is there to help you through difficult situation relating to the university, and also
helps you to understand Concordia’s rules and regulations. This is your advocate to guide you should you find
yourself facing charges under Academic Integrity rules.
http://www.concordia.ca/offices/advocacy.html/
• The Academic Integrity Website. Find out what activities are considered plagiarism, as well as what is
considered academic misconduct.
http://www.concordia.ca/students/academic-integrity.html
• Access Centre for Students with Disabilities provides support for students with any form of disability. The Centre
also can provide accommodations for disabled students. Registration with the centre is necessary.
http://www.concordia.ca/offices/acsd.html/
• Financial Aid and Awards has information on bursaries and awards you could apply for. In addition, you can get
personalized advice to help you create a reasonable budget.
http://www.concordia.ca/offices/faao.html

• Health Services is there for you, not just when you are ill, but as a resource that helps guide you to healthy living,
preventive health, medical tests, immunizations as well as mental health services. Health Services serves the entire
Concordia community. To see a doctor or psychiatrist you will have to provide valid coverage under Quebec
Medicare, Medicare from another Canadian province or Territory, or Blue Cross insurance for international
students. If you cannot provide valid health insurance, you will be charged for your visit.
http://www.concordia.ca/students/health.html

• Sexual Assault Resource Centre: Students can only excel if they feel safe and secure on campus. If you have been
the victim of some form of sexual assault—including sexual harassment—and need help or support, please get in
touch with Concordia University Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC). SARC is central to the new Sexual Assault
Response Team (SART)— in operation to comply with Concordia’s policy regarding sexual violence. The SARC
coordinator acts as a single point of contact for first response in cases of sexual violence and will—with the consent
of survivors—provide support and manage cases through coordination across internal and external resources. The
coordinator will accompany survivors and draw together response team contacts as appropriate so that survivors
do not have to repeat their story multiple times and relive the trauma they have experienced. Email
sarc@concordia.ca or phone 514 848 2424 x 3353 in order to speak with the coordinator and have your concerns
addressed in a timely manner.
https://www.concordia.ca/students/sexual-assault.html

N.B. This is an important document, and it should be saved for future reference. It may be needed for credit
transfer, certification or employment.

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