California State University, Chico

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

 

WOMEN'S HEALTH

HCSV, WMST, NURS 368-01 Fall 2005

Glenn 212, 11:00-12:15

Professor:  Dr. Diana Flannery              Office Hours: T 12:30-2:30 & R 12:30-3:30

Office:  635 Butte Hall                          Email:  dflannery@csuchico.edu           

Office Phone:  898-4993                                  Mailbox:  607 Butte     

                                   

I.      Course Description

            This course will include an analysis of health issues, which concern women throughout the life cycle.  The physiological, psychological, cultural, and political impact upon women's well-being will be addressed.  This course fulfills the Natural Science (Subject Area B) for the Women's Issues Theme (Theme O).  You must have completed at least 45 units of coursework in order to receive theme credit. This course has a 2,500-word writing requirement.  Course writing requirements are listed under Student Responsibilities.

 

II.   Texts

            Boston's Women's Health Collective. (2005). Our Bodies, Ourselves:  A New Edition for a New Era.  New York: Simon and Schuster

           

            Ferrini, A. & Flannery, D. (Eds. 2004).   Women’s Health Supplementary Reading Packet #97 available at Mr. Kopy (119 Main Street).

  

III. Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

1.      List the types of research utilized in the study of women’s health, using major research studies as examples.

2.      Distinguish the scientific method from hearsay in interpreting material written about women’s health in popular news.

3.      Discuss critical findings and implications of selected research studies exploring various health and health care issues of women.

4.      Discuss the status and trends in the health of women and their care, with special attention to the differences among ethnic and racial subgroups and the impact of poverty.

5.      Explore selected physiological changes a women’s body undergoes (i.e. Menarche, pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, aging) and their psychosocial impact.

6.      List and discuss the common diseases and disorders of women (including STDs):  description, causes, prevalence, risk factors, symptoms, treatment, and prevention measures.

7.      Analyze selected factors which serve as barriers to women’s health status and way that public policy, health organizations, and women themselves can enhance health promotion behaviors.

8.      Explore the history of women’s health and the effect of feminist movements upon health status, health research, and health care of women.

9.      Gain knowledge and skills to make informed decisions to enhance personal health status and medical care.

 

IV. Theme Objectives

1.         Define varied feminist theories, perspectives and methods of studying women as they relate to the discipline in which the course represents.

2.         Discuss the historical and current practices, institutions, and belief systems that

        maintain the subordination of women.

3.         Read materials by feminist writers and researchers.

4.         Identify ways women have brought about social, economic, and political change.

5.         Explore the impact of class, race, gender, and sexuality on women’s lives and

their place in society.

 

V.    Course Outline

Day

Topic

Reading Assignment

8/23-25

Introduction to Women's Health

Women’s Health Movement

OBO. 30

OBO. 31-32    RP. 1-5

8/30

9/1

Women’s Health Status

Science and Women's Health

                        RP. 6-12

                        RP. 13-18

9/6-8             

 

Women and Drug Use

Alcohol and Tobacco  

OBO. 3,6         RP.25-29

9/13-15

 

Body Image

Disordered Eating

OBO.1             RP.19-24

9/20

9/22

EXAM #1

Sexuality Survey

     

OBO.12           RP. 30-34                                                                                                                              

9/27-29

 

Reproductive Cycle

OBO.13          

 

10/4-6

Reproductive Choices  

OBO.17-20      RP. 35-42

10/11-13

Pregnancy, Childbearing, Breastfeeding

OBO.21-25      RP. 43-48

 Activity Paper #1

10/18-20

Sexually Transmissible Infections & HIV

OBO.14-16      RP. 49-54

Silent March Poster Due

10/25

10/27

Sexuality and Relationships

EXAM #2

 

11/1-3

Violence Against Women

OBO. 8            RP. 55-60

11/8-10

Common Diseases/Disorders of Women

OBO. 28, 29, 7

Top Ten Research Paper Due

11/15-17

Breast & Heart Health 

OBO. 2, 4, 5     RP. 61-67

 

Thanksgiving Break

 

11/29-12/1

Health in Mid- and Late-Life

OBO. 26-27     RP. 68-72

Activity Paper #2  Due

12/6-8

12/14

Panel / Review

Final Exam Thursday 10:00

OBO. 9, 11

Student Responsibilities

 

A.              Participate in a 3 exams at the appointed time.  Dates are listed on the outline.

 

B.              Attend each class prepared and ready to discuss read EACH article and chapter, contribute to class discussions, and participate in planned activities. Attendance will be recorded. For each absence over 3, your final grade will be reduced 1/3 letter grade.

 

C.              Respect: Respect the diversity of experience, values, and thoughts presented and explored in class. Conduct yourself professionally in all classroom interactions.

          

           Submit high quality assignments on time. Assignments must be submitted at the beginning of the class session in which they are due

          

D.              Review daily discussion questions found in the Mr. Kopy Reading Packet.

 

E.       Attend 2 Woman Centered Events (25 points each)

Paper due 1 week after event

Select an event you can attend in the Chico, University, or neighboring community.  All events must be approved by me.  Submit a 2 page summary (typed) of your event.  Provide the time, location, and describe the women’s issue/event and your role in it.  Recount any thoughts before, during, and after the event.  Relate new insights, perceptions, and experiences.

           

            Sandra Steingraber October 6 – 7pm BMU Auditorium

            Take Back the Night March October 27 5:30 pm–10 pm

 

F.      Top Ten Reasons (50 points)

      Research a women’s health issue of concern to you. Gather facts, identify current laws and problems, and investigate prevention factors regarding your health issue. 

     

      Subheadings should include:                                            Topics may include:

      Define health problem or condition or disease                  Breastfeeding or BC                 

      Prevalence (National/International)                                 Condition of pregnancy

      Poverty factors                                                             Heart Disease or Obesity

      Racial factors                                                                Breast Cancer or other type

      Why women are at risk                                                  Hormone Disruption

      Corporate/media influence                                             Cosmetics or Plastics

      Public Health & Government Position                             Alcohol

      Advocacy position                                                         Violence

 

Develop a pro-woman flyer that can be distributed at women center events or used for tabling, etc…. Final document should be typed and errors free, printed on hard stock paper, include pictures, creative fonts, and complete referencing. 

 

           Use proper and complete citation for all materials and sources.  Ideas and information taken from others MUST be properly cited. Any direct quote must be enclosed in quotation marks and cited (use author/page number).

 

G.     Take Back the Night Poster (25 points) (due October 20)

Create a poster for the silent march.  Poster will be graded on creativity, effort, impact, and rape awareness theme.

 

 

VI. Evaluation

Event Summary #1

 25

A = 94-100

A-= 90-93

Silent March Poster

 25

B+= 88-89

B = 84-87

Event Summary #2

 25

B-= 80-83

C+= 78-79

Top Ten Reasons

 50

C = 74-77

C-= 70-73      

Exam 1

100

D+=67-69

D = 64-66

Exam 2

 75

D-= 240-251

F = 63 or less

Exam 3

100

 

 

Total

400