Stress Management Syllabus

The Psychology of Ulcers, Heart Attacks, High Blood Pressure, and Anxiety

This course identifies the physiological, physiological, emotional and behavioral aspects of stress. We will discuss the body’s hormonal and neurological response in times of extreme emotion. The class focus is to have a deep understanding of the dangers of stress and how it can cause serious health problems. A variety of stress-reduction techniques and biofeedback methods will be taught.

Goals

o To understand the evolution of the sympathetic nervous system’s “fight or flight” response and the parasympathetic nervous system’s “rest and repose” response.
o To understand the basic principles of Psychoimmunology.
o To learn stress reduction techniques and understand the science behind why they work.
o To raise self-awareness of one’s own physical and emotional stress responses.

Contact Information

Michelle Joyce-Fyffe
admin@websitedelight.net
510-384-2773

Requirements and Policies

o Homework: 20% of your grade – Homework will be given each class period. All homework will be graded on a pass/fail basis. As long as the student has but effort into the homework, they will receive credit. The point of the homework is to encourage students to develop new stress management techniques that are to be practiced daily. If homework assignments are rushed and procrastinated, the point of the lesson is lost. Therefore, no late homework will be accepted.
o Midterm: 20% of your grade –The midterm is based on the readings, movies, and lecture.
o Presentation: 20% of your grade -Each student will do a presentation to the class on a stress management technique of their choosing (there are many techniques in the book), incorporating research and a hands-on demonstration.
o Participation and Attendance: 20% of your grade -Being present and paying attention is required in all classes. Students who are regularly tardy or absent will be marked down (unless you have a prior arrangement with the instructor). Participation in class discussions and exercises is expected.
o Final: 20% of your grade -The final is cumulative. A study guide will be given out the week before the test.

Attendance, Timeliness, and Class Behavior:

o The same kind of responsible behavior that is required of media professionals is required of students in this class. Regular attendance is crucial to you passing this class. It is your responsibility to attend class and do all in-class assignments.
o Tardiness is disrespectful. Repeat tardiness will result in your grade being lowered. Please try to be on time. If you return late from breaks, the time you missed is a tardy.
o Cell phones are disruptive. Please respect this classroom by turning them off before entering. If your phone rings during class, expect me to answer it.
o Sleeping in class counts as an absence for the day.
o Professional conduct is expected of you in the classroom at all times. You cannot act unprofessionally in the classroom and then expect to reverse your behavior when looking for, or holding, a job.
o Plagiarism: Learning to express your own ideas is the goal of this class. Plagiarism is the use of another’s words in the place of your own, without giving proper credit to the author. This includes paraphrasing. When borrowing something from an outside source (including the Internet or a friend), you must credit the source. If you plagiarize, you will receive a 0 grade for the assignment. Your words are the only ones I want to read. Your opinions are important. If you are caught plagiarizing, you will be flunked from the class


Grades

Homework: (Wellness Journal, Handouts and Stress Inventories)………………..... 20%
Midterm,…………………….………………………………………………………........20%
Presentation.…………………………………………………………………………….20%
Participation……………………………………………………………………………..20%
Final ……………………………………………………………………………….…….20%

There are NO make-ups for exams, homework or special project presentations!

Course Schedule:

M 13-Aug Introduction, Stress Management & The Physiology of Stress
W 15-Aug Personality, Adrenaline Junkies, and Primary Appraisal Stress packet due
F 17-Aug Stress Management Exercises & video
M 20-Aug Stress and Physical Illness
W 22-Aug Culture and Stress, Prepare for Presentations Stress technique paper due
F 24-Aug Review for Midterm, Prepare for Presentations
M 27-Aug MIDTERM Roger and Me handout due
W 29-Aug Review Midterm grades, Presentations, Learned Optimism
F 31-Aug Sicko
M 3-Sep NO CLASS
W 5-Sep Stress and Mental Illness
F 7-Sep Unusual coping strategies, defense mechanisms, interpersonal problems
M 10-Sep Substance Abuse
w 12-Sep Wrapping Up, Review for final Hooked handout due
f 14-Sep FINAL EXAM

 

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**special thanks to Melanie Weidner for the use of her art on this site**

Website designed by Michelle Joyce, 2006