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| Assistant Professor: | Dr. Keith King |
| Class Location: | 600 Teachers College |
| Class Time: | 9:30-10:50 T H |
| Office Location: | 526-E Teachers College |
| Office Hours: | 12:30 - 2:00 W H (and by appointment) |
| Office Phone Number: | 513/556-3859 |
| Secretary Phone Number: | 513/556-3873 |
| Email Address: | keith.king@uc.edu |
As an individual interested in your own personal health, you are well aware of the various sources of health information throughout today’s society. With such a plethora of information, how do you know which information is based on scientific research and which may actually be described as quackery? Do you know whether or not it is beneficial to take vitamin supplements? Are there any “get thin quick” diets that effectively and safely work? What is the best way to protect against sun exposure? Are organically grown foods more nutritious than conventionally produced foods? What about alternative, holistic, and homeopathic forms of medicine Do they actually work?
These questions and more will be properly examined in this course. It is the overall intent of the course to provide you with the skills necessary to become an intelligent and informed consumer of health products and services. In so doing, you will find yourself better prepared to make wiser health decisions.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able
to:
| A) Explain why consumer vigilance is important in the health marketplace. |
| B) Judge the reliability of many sources of health information |
| C) Make intelligent decisions to protect themselves against health fraud and quackery. |
| D) Critically analyze advertising for health products and services |
| E) Select and communicate effectively with health-care personnel. |
| F) Apply basic research-based nutrition concepts to choose a healthy diet. |
| G) Make prudent selection and use of drug products. |
| H) Make intelligent decisions about the prevention and treatment of
various diseases including CVD, arthritis,
cancer, and AIDS. |
| I) Select and utilize an appropriate health insurance plan. |
| J) Discuss how governmental agencies, voluntary groups, and informed
consumers can strive to create an ethical
health marketplace. |
Required Text:
Barrett S, Jarvis WT, Kroger M, London WM. (1997). Consumer
Health. A Guide to Intelligent Decisions (6th edition)
Brown & Benchmark Publishers.
| Exam 1 | 100 points |
| Exam 2 | 100 points |
| Exam 3 | 100 points |
| Newspaper/Magazine Article Written Report | 25 points |
| Internet Site Written Report | 25 points |
| Total Score | 350 points |
Your final score is based on a total of 350 points.
| Letter Grade | Points | Percentage Range |
| A | 324 - 350 | 92.5% - 100% |
| A- | 314 - 323 | 89.5% - 92.4% |
| B+ | 303 - 313 | 86.5% - 89.4% |
| B | 289 - 302 | 82.5% - 86.4% |
| B- | 279 - 288 | 79.5% - 82.4% |
| C+ | 268 - 278 | 76.5% - 79.4% |
| C | 254 - 267 | 72.5% - 76.4% |
| C- | 244 - 253 | 69.5% - 72.4% |
| D+ | 233 - 243 | 66.5% - 69.4% |
| D | 219 - 232 | 62.5% - 66.4% |
| D- | 209 - 218 | 59.5% - 62.4% |
| F | 000-208 | 00.0% - 59.4% |
Note: There are NO makeup exams. Five points per day will be deducted for written reports turned in late. Therefore, please be aware of due dates.
Content of Exams
Content of exams will come from four sources: class notes, assigned
readings, videos, and presentations. Therefore, please be prepared
to answer questions from any of these sources
Attendance
It is strongly recommended that you attend class in order to successfully
complete this course. Much of the information on the exams will be
that which is delivered in class.
Humor Policy
An ability to find humor in ourselves and the world is strongly recommended.
Please try to keep all things in perspective.
| Date | Topic | Chapter |
| 3/28 | Introduction | -- |
| 3/30 | Basic Consumer Health Issues; Separating Fact from Fiction | 1, 2 |
| 4/04 | Separating Fact from Fiction; Frauds and Quackery | 2, 3 |
| 4/06 | Advertising and Other Marketing Practices | 4 |
| 4/11 | Science Based Health Care | 5 |
| 4/13 | Finding Reliable Consumer Health Information | -- |
| 4/18 | Mental Health Care | 6 |
| 4/20 | EXAM 1 | -- |
| 4/26 | Dental Care, Self-Care | 7, 9 |
| 4/28 | Alternative Methods; Health sites on the Internet;
NEWSPAPER/MAGAZINE ARTICLE REPORT DUE |
8 |
| 5/02 | Health Sites on the Internet; Health Care Facilities | 10 |
| 5/04 | Basic Nutrition Concepts; Nutrition Fads and Fallacies | 11, 12 |
| 5/09 | Nutrition Fads and Fallacies, Weight Control | 12, 13 |
| 5/11 | EXAM 2 | -- |
| 5/16 | Exercise Concepts, Products, and Services | 14 |
| 5/18 | Cardiovascular Diseases; Arthritis and Related Disorders | 15, 16 |
| 5/23 | Cancer | 17 |
| 5/25 | Cancer; AIDS;
INTERNET REPORT DUE |
17, 18 |
| 5/30 | Skin Care and Beauty Products; Health Devices | 20, 22 |
| 6/01 | Review of Consumer Laws, Agencies, and Strategies | 26 |
| 6/03 | EXAM 3 (2:15 – 4:15) | -- |
| NEWSPAPER/MAGAZINE ADVERTISEMENT WRITTEN REPORT REQUIREMENTS |
For this assignment you will be responsible for analyzing a newspaper or magazine health advertisement. This advertisement may be for a health product or health service. Follow the guidelines listed below to ensure success on this project. This assignment is worth 25 points.
1) TITLE PAGE
Include a title page which is exactly in the following format:
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2) WRITTEN REPORT
A) This report is to be typed using double spacing, one inch margins and
12 font.
B) Type the following at the center top of the page:
a) The Name of the Newspaper/Magazine
b) The Name of the Advertisement
C) Type the heading “SUMMARY” in bold letters.
a) Under this heading type 1-2 paragraphs explaining what the advertisement
was about.
b) Please be clear in your summary. (Have a friend read this over
to ensure clarity).
D) Type the heading “ANALYSIS” in bold letters.
a) Under this heading type 2 complete pages analyzing the accuracy of the
advertisement claim.
b) Use information discussed in chapter 2 and chapter 4 to analyze the
ad.
c) Can the product do what the ad claims? Why or why not? Provide
sources/references to back your
statements (at least five).
E) Type the heading “CONCLUSION” in bold letters.
a) Under this heading type one paragraph explaining whether, based on your
analysis, you feel the information
is accurate or misleading?
F) Type the heading “REFERENCES” in bold letters.
a) Provide at least five references supporting your statements/arguments.
b) Follow APA format for references.
G) Attach a copy of the newspaper/magazine ad at the end of your report.
H) Attach the evaluation form after the copy of the advertisement.
(This form is shown below)
I) Staple your report together. No binders please.
| NEWSPAPER/MAGAZINE ADVERTISEMENT WRITTEN REPORT EVALUATION FORM |
The following evaluation form is for you to use to ensure that your
advertisement report is completed according to the listed requirements.
This form is what I will use to grade your report. This assignment
is worth 25 points.
| TITLE PAGE (1 point) |
Possible |
| Is the title page in the format shown in the syllabus/handout? |
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| Is the name of the newspaper/magazine and ad at top of the page? |
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| WRITTEN REPORT (20 points) | |
| Are the subheadings provided? |
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| Does the summary segment clearly describe the advertisement? |
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| Does the analysis segment effectively examine the advertisement? |
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| a) Are questions included in the handout raised and examined? | |
| b) Is information from chapters 2 and 4 used in analyzing the ad? | |
| Is a conclusion provided which is well thought out and explained? |
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| Are properly cited references provided which back your arguments? |
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| GUIDELINES/NEATNESS (4 points) | |
| Is the evaluation form attached to the report? |
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| Is the report stapled together? |
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| Is the report neat and free from grammar/spelling errors? |
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| TOTAL SCORE |
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| EXTRA CREDIT | |
| Is there a copy of a professional journal article supporting your claims? |
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| HEALTH-RELATED INTERNET SITE WRITTEN REPORT REQUIREMENTS |
For this assignment you will be responsible for analyzing a health-related World Wide Web site. This internet site should be one which provides information related to some health problem. Please follow the guidelines listed below to ensure success on this project. This project is worth 25 points. (Do not use sites with url’s ending in .org, .edu or .gov)
1) TITLE PAGE
Include a title page which is exactly in the following format:
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2) WRITTEN REPORT
A) This report is to be typed using double spacing, one inch margins and
12 font.
B) Type the following at the center top of the page following the title
page:
a) The Name of the Internet Site
b) The health issue or health service addressed in the internet site
c) The Internet Site address
C) Type the heading “SUMMARY” in bold letters.
a) Under this heading type 1-2 paragraphs explaining main points and purposes
of the internet site.
b) Please be clear in your summary. (Have a friend read this over
to ensure clarity).
D) Type the heading “ANALYSIS” in bold letters.
a) Under this heading type 2 complete pages analyzing the accuracy of the
internet site.
b) Use information discussed from your article handout to analyze the ad
and score the site.
c) Does the internet site offer accurate and research-based information?
Provide sources/references to back
your statements (at least five).
E) Type the heading “CONCLUSION” in bold letters.
a) Under this heading type one paragraph explaining whether, based on your
analysis, you feel the information
is accurate or misleading?
F) Type the heading “REFERENCES” in bold letters.
a) Provide at least five references supporting your statements/arguments.
b) Follow APA format for references.
G) Attach a copy of the internet site pages ad at the end of your report.
H) Attach a copy Kotecki and Chamness' evaluation form at the end of your
report.
I) Attach my evaluation form at the very end of the report.
(This form is shown below)
I) Staple your report together. No binders please.
J) At the final class period, you will give a 5-minute presentation
(no longer) on your findings. BE PREPARED!!!
| HEALTH-RELATED INTERNET SITE WRITTEN REPORT EVALUATION FORM |
The following evaluation form is for you to use to ensure that your
internet site is completed according to the listed requirements.
This form is what I will use to grade your report. This assignment
is worth 25 points.
| TITLE PAGE (1 points) |
Possible |
| Is the title page in the format shown in the syllabus/handout? |
|
| WRITTEN REPORT (20 points) | |
| Is the name of the internet site at top of page? |
|
| Are the subheadings provided? |
|
| Does the summary segment clearly describe the internet site? |
|
| Does the analysis segment effectively examine the internet site? |
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| a) Is information from the Kotecki and Chamness’ article included? | |
| b) Is Kotecki and Chamness’ WWW site evaluation form attached? | |
| c) Is information offered by the internet site accurate? How do you know? | |
| Is a conclusion provided which is well thought out and explained? |
|
| Are properly cited references provided which back your arguments? |
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| GUIDELINES/NEATNESS (4 points) | |
| Is the evaluation form attached to the report? |
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| Is the report stapled together? |
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| Is the report neat and free from grammar/spelling errors? |
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| TOTAL SCORE |
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| EXTRA CREDIT | |
| Is there a copy of an article from a professional journal supporting your claims? |
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