This course will require students to explore, analyze, personalize, and discuss the following issues as they relate to the essential components of health and wellness: nutrition, physical activity/exercise/fitness, weight control, eating disorders and body image, media influences, mental health, stress, violence, substance use/abuse, sexuality and sexual orientation, sexually transmitted infections, reproductive choices/contraception, relationships, disease prevention, environment, health care, aging, and general public health issues. Students will be taught the knowledge and skills necessary to implement lifestyle behaviors that can improve their health and well-being.

This course introduces basic concepts of wellness, including ways of achieving optimum health. Topics will include history of women's healthcare; concepts of health and wellness; stress management; psychosocial health; physical fitness; nutrition; weight management; relationships and sexual health; reproduction; cancer, diabetes and heart disease; substance abuse and addictive behavior; infectious diseases, including sexually transmitted infections; preventing violence against women; occupational health; consumerism; spirituality; and environmental health.

This course is a study of the human body's adaptation to exercise and the role of nutrition in health, athletic performance, and disease prevention. Topics will include: current principles and concepts related to body composition; cardiovascular adaptations to exercise; theory of flexibility, muscle strength and endurance training; nutrition for health and athletic performance, diet analysis, weight management; eating disorders; stress; and, prevention of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

This course introduces basic concepts of wellness for men, including ways for men to achieve optimum health and reduce the longevity gap that exists between men and women in the United States. Topics will include concepts of health; the seven dimensions of wellness; stress management; psychosocial health; physical fitness; nutrition; weight management; relationships and sexual health; reproduction; cancer, diabetes and heart disease; substance abuse and addictive behavior; infectious diseases, including sexually transmitted infections; preventing violence; and environmental health.

This course presents an overview of the disciplines of community and public health. Topics include the basic concepts and terminologies of public health; an overview of various public health professions and organizations; the study, prevention and control of diseases in the community; the analysis of the social determinants of health; strategies for eliminating disease, illness, and health disparities among various populations; community organizing and health promotion programming; school health promotion; environmental health and safety; and an overview of the healthcare delivery system in the United States. Emphasis will be placed on the development of knowledge and preliminary skills to serve as an effective advocate for community and public health.

This course provides an introduction to the health inequities in the United States that stem from unequal living conditions. Students will explore how education, socioeconomic status, racism, and gender shape health epidemics and policy development. Fundamental theories to advocate for health and social justice will be explored, and community organizing approaches will be practiced.

This course explains concepts and theories relating to the epidemiology and toxicology of substance use, misuse, abuse, and dependence, and the impact on personal, community and societal health. The biological/physiological, neurological, and psychological short and long-term effects of selected pharmacological substances on the human brain and body are explored, including an analysis of risk factors associated with abuse and dependence. Historical, political, social, socioeconomic, and legal factors involved in the practice, marketing, distribution, and government regulations of legal and illegal drugs will be covered. An overview of contemporary methods used in prevention, diagnosis and treatment will be reviewed, including an analysis of effective evidence-based strategies and local recovery resources.

This is an introductory course covering the principles of nutrition and food preparation. Topics include food science principles, terminology, weights and measures, food techniques, ingredient functions and interactions, sanitation, safety, equipment, storage standards, menu planning, nutrient composition, and retention.

This course will allow students to explore, in depth, the impact of the spiritual dimension of health within their own individual state of wellness, and to explore different ways to build a spiritual life. Topics include the difference between spirituality and religiosity; spiritual practices throughout the world; breath work; exploring the soul and the spirit; shadow work; components of spiritual health; review of current mind-body research; self-directed neuroplasticity; connecting; building and strengthening one's spiritual life; opening one's heart; meditation; contemplation; mindfulness; imagery; and the dying process and grief. Students will practice techniques in mindfulness, visual imagery, breath work, and meditation.

This course introduces students to various alternative medicine modalities and health practices. Topics include: history of medicine, Reiki, Traditional Chinese Medicine, herbal medicine, hypnosis, nutrition therapy, chiropractic, massage therapy, bio-feedback, homeopathy, ayuredic medicine, detoxification, naturopathy, body/mind healing and bio-energy. Students will learn to analyze and evaluate the efficacy of the alternative medicine practices and discuss how they can be integrated with allopathic medicine.

Students will explore and examine global, cultural, ecological, scientific, spiritual, and historical influences and practices of health and healing. A comparison of holistic traditions and therapeutic modalities will be analyzed and discussed. Topics will include: healing philosophies; homeopathic and allopathic approaches; healing sources and systems; and the power of intention. Holistic healing processes involving the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit and the dimensions of health will be emphasized.

This course introduces the student to the physiology of the stress response and the return to homeostasis. Topics include the symptoms of stress overload and burnout; psychoneuroimmunology, technostress, the effects of stress on the cardiovascular, immune, and digestive systems; and the effects of chronic stress on a person's psychological health, including problems of sleep, concentration, aging, and memory. Coping strategies, including downshifting, time management, assertiveness techniques, communication skills, overcoming procrastination, accessing campus and community support resource agencies, and developing a social support system and a code of ethics will be introduced. Stress reduction techniques, including breathing exercises, mind-body movement techniques, music therapy, visual imagery, physical activity, autogenics, mindfulness, progressive muscle relaxation, the relaxation response, and meditation will be explored.

Human nutrition will be studied through a critical examination of the principles of nutrition science as they relate to health. Topics will include health and food choices, nutrient needs and dietary analysis, energy nutrients and energy balance, vitamins, minerals, sports nutrition, supplements, food safety, diet and disease, fad diets, genetically modified foods, and global nutrition.

This course offers specialized study opportunities for students who wish to pursue projects not included in the regular curriculum. Students are accepted only by a written project proposal approved by the discipline prior to enrollment.