Welcome to PUBH 420: Health Behavior Theories and Models! Students will learn the theoretical framework of health interventions, underpinnings of health behavior, strategies for improving health actions of a target population, and the ecological perspective.

Note: This course code has changed from HS 420 to PUBH 420. You may occasionally see references to the old course code or title.

Outcomes

The main outcome of this course is that students will construct and apply sound interventions driven by recognized behavioral theories and models.

In doing so, students will gain skills in three of the Seven Areas of Responsibility for Health Education Specialists:

1. Construct: Area 1—Assess Individual and Community Needs for Health Education
2. Driven by: Area 2—Plan Health Education Strategies, Interventions, and Programs
3. Apply: Area 3—Implement Health Education Strategies, Interventions, and Programs

Students will also recognize the behaviors of unfamiliar populations in order to implement applicable health behavior theories and models to develop self-efficacy.

Prerequisites

There aren't any official prerequisites for this course; however, students are strongly encouraged to take PUBH 240: Introduction to Community Health before taking this course.

Required Materials and Technology

Students will not purchase a textbook for this course. All materials will be provided for no additional cost within the course.

In addition to the standard System Requirements for all BYU-Idaho students, students must also have a webcam with a functioning microphone in order to successfully meet with their group. Students will meet with their group periodically throughout the semester via Zoom. Zoom allows students to hold a video conference with their group, record the meeting, and then make the recording available to their instructor. It is critical that students know how to correctly carry out and record discussions in Zoom. If students are not familiar with these features, instructions will be provided in the course as well as hyperlinks to Zoom common questions and troubleshooting features.

Students will use Microsoft Office products in this course. If students do not yet have the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint, etc.) on their computer, they may visit the How to Download Microsoft Office for Free.

Students will also need occasional access to a digital camera. Students can use the camera on a cell phone or a stand-alone camera. If students do not have a cell phone or digital camera, they might consider borrowing one from a friend or neighbor to complete the few assignments for which it is required.

Learning Model Architecture

The Learning Model is the foundation upon which all BYU-Idaho courses are created. The five principles of the Learning Model are to (1) exercise faith, (2) teach by the Spirit, (3) lay hold on the Word of God, (4) take action, and (5) love, serve, and teach one another. These principles are woven into the three-step process: Prepare, Teach One Another, and Ponder and Prove.

Prepare

Preparation will vary slightly from week to week. However, it is typical for students to read text or watch a video and complete a comprehension quiz to test their readiness to use what they have learned. Sometimes students will also be presented with a scenario to consider questions to ponder. When students finish their preparation activities, they should be ready to discuss what they have learned with others.

Teach One Another

Students will love, serve, and teach one another as they complete group discussions. These discussions occur in about half of the weeks in this course and will allow students to explore the health behavior theories on a deeper level as they progress towards the completion of larger assignments. Occasionally students will work with one classmate or participate in an online discussion.

Ponder and Prove

Some of the opportunities for students to ponder and prove their learning in this course include completing application assignments and taking a final exam. Examples of assignments include composing written responses to critical thinking questions, conducting interviews, defending their position, creating interventions for a specific target population, and assessing the design/layout of a grocery store or market from a behavioral perspective.

How to Navigate This Course

Students should become familiar with the general weekly patterns they will encounter in this course. The weeks will not always adhere to this structure, but most weeks will follow the following pattern:

1. Students will begin each week by reading the Announcements and Introduction page. The Introduction page is the introduction to that week's material and the announcements contain critical information from the instructor.
2. Students will start the Study activities early in the week. Most of the Study activities also include an accountability or content quiz. The Study activities are usually due at the beginning of the week—see the Calendar for specific due dates.
3. During the first half of the course, there are Worksheet activities due midweek (see Calendar), so students will work on this next. During the second half of the course, students will complete the group activities due at the end of the week (see Calendar).
4. Students will finish up the week by demonstrating their learning through the completion of assignments geared towards application. Since these become the summative assessment of each week, it will require a more substantial amount of time to complete. Students should be sure to get started before the end of the week.

Grading Policies

Grades in this course will be determined by the number of points students earn. The number of points students earn will be determined by the quality of work they submit and their level of understanding of the course material.

This course uses the standard BYU-I grading scale as follows:

Grading

Letter Grade	Percentage Range
A	93–100%
A-	90–92%
B+	87–89%
B	84–86%
B-	80–83%
C+	77–79%
C	74–76%
C-	70–73%
D+	67–69%
D	64–66%
D-	60–63%
F	Anything less than a 60% will be recorded as an F.

Late Work

Late work is not accepted in this course. Students are preparing for a career as a health professional. Submitting work after the deadline has passed is not a professional practice. It is their responsibility to submit work on time. Therefore, it is imperative that students check the assignment due dates rather than relying solely upon the course summary to tell them what is due.

The instructor will notify students of the grade penalty students will incur if they choose to submit work after the deadline has passed. In the rare circumstance that students are unable to meet a deadline due to a major event (for example, a car accident, natural disaster, hospitalization, death or birth in the immediate family, etc.), students should contact the instructor for assistance right away.

Expectations

As this is a two-credit course, students should reserve at least 6–8 hours each week for coursework and study time. Students may require more time for their specific learning style or study needs.

Participation with classmates is vital to students' success in this course. Learning from their peers can be just as important as learning from the instructor. Students should do all they can to make their synchronous and asynchronous group experiences positive.

Working in health education and in the gospel involves working with others. Understanding and listening to others and their points can be very educational. Students should please be respectful to their classmates and the instructor whether they agree or disagree with another's perspective.

Additional Information

Honor Code

Following the Honor Code is of great importance as you strive to be a disciple of Christ. Academic honesty and integrity is expected of all BYU-I students. To copy another's work from the Internet, a book, or from any other source and claiming it to be your own work, is plagiarism. Read the official definitions of plagiarism and cheating from the Academic Honesty portion of the Honor Code. Each case of plagiarism or cheating will be dealt with by the instructor. When working on a group project, you have the responsibility to assure that others in the group do not plagiarize. Any academic dishonesty issue will be referred to the BYU-I Dean of Students, if necessary. Even though you are taking this course online, BYU-Idaho's Dress and Grooming standards still apply. By adhering to the Honor Code you will create a learning environment, "consistent with the ideals and principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." (Honor Code webpage)

Tutoring

Tutoring options for online students are available through the Academic Support Centers. There are tutors available to help you with your writing questions and there might be course-specific tutoring available. Check the Academic Support Centers for more details.

University Policies

Students with Disabilities

Brigham Young University-Idaho is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. If you have a disability and require accommodations, please contact the Disability Services Office at (208) 496-9210 or visit their website and follow the Steps for Receiving Accommodations. Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified documented disabilities. Services are coordinated with students and instructors by the Disability Services Office.

This course may require synchronous meetings. If you are currently registered with the Disability Services Office and need an interpreter or transcriber for these meetings, please contact the deaf and hard of hearing coordinator at (208) 496-9219.

Other University Policies

Student Honor and Other Policies

Please read through the document called University Policies. It gives important information about the following topics:

• Student Honor
  • Academic Honesty
  • Student Conduct
    • Sexual Harassment
• Student with Disabilities
• Complaints and Grievances
• Copyright Notice

Go to the Student Resources module to review further resources and information.

Disclaimer

This syllabus and the course schedule may be changed at any time prior to or during the semester as the need arises based upon circumstances. Any changes will be available to view on the course documents.