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CCOG for HE 278 archive revision 201403

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Effective Term:
Summer 2014 through Summer 2021
Course Number:
HE 278
Course Title:
Human Health and the Environment
Credit Hours:
3
Lecture Hours:
30
Lecture/Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
0

Course Description

Examines the relationship between the environment and human health. Focuses on issues such as persistent environmental contaminants, environmental toxins, chemical exposures, climate change and accompanying disease outbreaks. Includes a strong emphasis on personal decision making. Recommend: WR 115, RD 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement test scores. Audit available.

Intended Outcomes for the course

1. Apply knowledge about current and emerging human environmental health issues to determine potential future behaviors and attitudes that lessen the harm to the immediate and the future health of individuals and their communities.

2. Determine and demonstrate an understanding of current and emerging health and environmental issues in order to develop a personal strategic plan to lessen harm to one’s immediate and future health from environmental contaminants, environmental toxins, and chemical exposures.

3. Assess the relationship between personal lifestyle choices, the environment, and human health to inform future personal and community health decisions.

Course Activities and Design

Course activities will include lecture, class discussions, individual or group projects, research, presentations, reading, internet activities, and personal assessment and reflection. Course design will include an on campus and online design. SAC approved course shell will be used for online course.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

1. Written examinations
2. Written assignments
3. Critical analysis of material
4. Course activities and discussion
5. Presentations and/or projects

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

· Discuss emerging evidence relating environmental issues to their impact on personal and community health.
· Identify examples of how toxic agents and environmental contaminants compromise the functionality of the human body
· Explore emerging research on pollution in people, biomonitoring, and its impact on personal and community health.
· Understand how environmental characteristics and climate change influences disease transmission, communicable and noncommunicable disease outbreaks.
· Identify and relate global environmental health changes and their potential consequences for human health.
· Examine content of professional journals, other media sources, and publications of environmental and public health surveillance agencies.
· Explore the relationship and interaction between government agencies and private industry
· Assess personal lifestyle choices, how those choices impact the environment, personal health, and community health
· Apply the Ecological Model to environmental health issues to assess personal, community, and global influences and determine potential future intervention strategies
· Apply personal health behavior change models