York University
Department of Psychology
HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
HH/PSYC 3170 A; 2015-2016, Fall Term
Course Director
Professor Jennifer Mills
Office: 241 BSB
Email: jsmills@yorku.ca
Phone: 416-736-2100 ext. 33153
Online Resources
This course is on Moodle: please go to www.moodle.yorku.ca and login
using your Passport York account for all online resources, including
lecture slides.
Teaching Assistants
Leah Keating: lkeating@yorku.ca
Claire Wicks: cwicks@yorku.ca
TA office hours will be announced in-class and online
Course Description
This course explores the role of psychological factors in the experience of
health and illness. We will examine research evidence and the need for a
biopsychosocial model in order to understand and clinically treat various
health problems (e.g., obesity, stress, pain, heart disease, cancer).
*Please note that this is a blended course, which means that some of
the course is taught online. See course schedule below for further
details.
Time and Location
Fridays, 11:30-2:30 in Curtis Lecture Hall A
Required Reading
Taylor, S., & Sirois, F.M. (2014). Health Psychology,
Third Canadian Edition. McGraw-Hill Publishers.
Prerequisite
AK/AS/HH/SC/PSYC 1010 6.0 with a minimum grade of C.
Course Credit Exclusions
AS/SC/PSYC 3440 3.0 (prior to Summer 2002), GL/PSYC 3635 3.0,
KINE 3100 3.0, AS/SC/KNE 4050D3.0 or AS/SC/KINE 4710 3.0
Additional Information
Excellent tips on all aspects of studying for and writing exams can be found at the Counseling and
Development Centres, Learning Skills Services website: http://www.yorku.ca/cds/lss/ .
Yorks Senate Policy on Academic Integrity is important for all students to know and can be found at
http://www.yorku.ca/academicintegrity/ .
Important Fall 2015 term dates
September 10
September 24
October 8
November 9
Classes start
Last date to enroll in a course without the instructors permission
Last date to enroll in a course with the instructors permission
Last date to drop a course without receiving a grade
York University
Department of Psychology
Grading Scheme
Test 1 (30%)
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015
Content: Chapters 1-5, all lecture material and videos covered to-date
Format: 75 multiple choice, one long answer
Test 2 (30%)
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2015
Content: Chapters 6-10, all lecture material and videos covered since Test 1
Format: 75 multiple choice, one long answer
Final Exam (40%)
T.B.A. (During the final exam period of December 9-23)
Content: Based on material from the entire course, with an emphasis on the material
since Test 2. It will cover textbook chapters 11-15, all lecture material since the beginning
of the course, and all videos covered to-date.
Format: 50 multiple choice, two long answers
Tips for Doing Well in this Course
1. Start using the online resources right away.
2. Come to class and pay attention. Access online lecture slides to help with note taking.
3. Buddy up with someone in class with whom you can share notes in case you cant come to
class. I do not give out my detailed lecture notes and the slides dont cover everything.
4. Come see either me or the TA before/after class or during office hours if you have any
questions about the material or the tests.
5. Keep up with the readings. The textbook material is dense.
Policy on Missed Tests or Exams
1. Within 48 hours of the missed test or exam, students must contact the instructor by phone or email.
Be sure to clearly state your name, student number, course, reason for missing the exam, and a phone
number or email address.
2. Appropriate documentation verifying the circumstances for the missed test or exam must be provided
within one week of the missed exam. Failure to provide appropriate documentation will result in a grade
of 0.
A. Tests or exams missed for medical reasons must be supported by an Attending Physicians
Statement. The Attending Physicians Statement must include (I) the full name, mailing address and
telephone number of the Physician, (ii) state the nature of the illness and its duration and (iii) a
statement that the illness and/or treatment would have SERIOUSLY affected the students ability to
study and perform over the period in question, not just that they were ill and were seen by a doctor. If
the note is not detailed enough, it will not be accepted.
B. Tests or exams missed for non-medical reasons must be supported by appropriate
documentation (i.e., copy of a death certificate, automobile accident report, etc.) Pre-booked travel is
not an acceptable excuse for missing a test or exam.
3. In the case of a missed test, a prorated grading procedure will be used: the grade component will
be distributed across the other tests or exams in the course. The other evaluative components will still
have the same weighting relative to each other (i.e., 43% and 57% for the other test and the final exam,
respectively). If the final exam is missed, the student must formally petition for deferred standing in the
course with the Registrars office.
York University
Department of Psychology
DATE
FORMAT
LECTURE TOPIC
CHAPTER(S)
September 11
In-class
Introduction to the course
The Biopsychosocial Model of Health
Health, Mind, & Behaviour (DVD 10691)
1, 2
September 18
In-class
Health Interventions and Behaviour Change
Motivational Interviewing: Preparing People
for Change (DVD 6167, Disc 2, Program E)
September 25
Online
Substance Use and Abuse
October 2
In-class
Dieting and Obesity
October 9
TEST 1
October 16
Online
Becoming Ill and Getting Medical Treatment
8, 9
October 23
In-class
Stress and Coping
Stressed to the Limit (DVD 13991)
6, 7
October 30
November 6
Fall Reading Days (no class)
In-class
November 13
Pain and Pain Management
Placebo: The Science of Hope (DVD 8120)
10
TEST 2
November 20
Online
Terminal and Chronic Illness
11, 12
November 27
In-class
Coronary Heart Disease
Understanding the Mind-Body
Connection (DVD 13990)
13
December 4
In-class
Psychoneuroimmunology
Review
14, 15
