Department of Counselling and Psychology Course Outline
Course Title Health Psychology
Course Code PSY303
Number of Credits 3
Duration of Weeks 15
Contact Hours Per Week 2 hours Lecture; 1 hour Tutorial
Pre-requisite Course(s) N/A
Course Aims
Health Psychology stands as one of the newer sub-disciplines within the field of Psychology.  It reflects the increasing recognition of the far-reaching influence of psychological factors on what have traditionally been considered as biomedical outcomes. This course aims to guide students to a coherent understanding and informed appreciation of the influential paradigms, historical context, theoretical frameworks, general topics of inquiry, and investigative methods of relevance in this developing field.  Students will be shown how current scientific trends have led to a reframing of body-mind process as unified, processual, and socially-embedded. Special attention will be given to the cultural aspects of health psychology and well-being.
Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOS)

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. demonstrate understanding of the fundamental principles of health psychology; 

2. understand and appreciate the theoretical significance of a bio-psychosocial approach to health psychology;

3. relate psychosocial and cultural factors (e.g., health beliefs, illness cognitions, familial/community support, etc.) to the larger issues of human well-being and illness;

4. promote and maintain their own health and well-being;

5. identify and apply key concepts of health psychology in the disease processes of specific acute and chronic illnesses;

6. critically evaluate research on health-related beliefs, behaviors and outcomes.
Assessment
 
Assessment Tasks
Weighting
1.
Quizzes
5%
2.
Workshop
20%
3.
Personal Health Behavior Change Plan (Action Paper) 
15% 
4.
Mid-Term
20%
5
Final Exam
40%
 
 
100%
For Reference Only
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