WCSU Undergraduate Catalog 2023-2024 : School of Professional Studies

Health Promotion and Exercise Sciences

Non-Activity Courses

HPX 100 Health Promotion and Maintenance 3 SH
This course immerses students in the concept of wellness, which has been described as a multi-dimensional approach to understanding health and preventing disease. Students will be expected to analyze their own lifestyles and environments as they explore various dimensions of wellness, so they can relate principles learned in the classroom to themselves. First Year (HPX 100FY) sections of the course include components that address student success at WCSU. These section are open to freshmen only. Competency: Health & Wellness (HW).

HPX 103 Introduction to Health Promotion and Practice 3 SH
This course focuses public health, health promotion, community health, and health issues at the community level. Students will study the historical evolution of health promotion, as well as the role of policy, advocacy, and diversity in health promotion studies. The course will expose students to the structure and function of the US healthcare system and its impact on community health. Prerequisite: Health Promotion Studies major, 2.5 cumulative GPA, or permission of department chair.

HPX 105 Stress Management, Self-Care, and Success 1 SH
This course will provide the student with skills to manage stress on a physical, mental, and emotional level. Stress and stressors will be explored and evaluated from a physical, psychological, and pathological perspective. The cause, effect, and management of physiological stress response will be examined, and positive stress management skills will be explored, analyzed and practiced. This course has a large experiential component. Competency: First Year Navigation (FY).

HPX 113 Introduction to Exercise Science 3 SH
This course offers an overview of the professional study of exercise science. Topics of study will include: career options, professional standards, history of exercise science, reading and interpreting literature, measurement techniques, epidemiology, physiology, athletic training, nutrition, biomechanics, motor control, and sport psychology.

HPX 150 Dance Workshop 3 SH
This course helps students develop powers of expression through creative experience in dance. Basic factors related to body movements are studied and research is done in the historical development of dance. Every semester. Competency: Creative Process (CP).

HPX 160 First Aid and Safety 2 SH
This course will show how to recognize when an emergency has occurred, prepare a person to make appropriate decisions regarding first aid care and to act on those decisions. Specific areas covered include: adult, child and infant breathing and CPR emergencies, first aid techniques, handling sudden illness, and providing care until professional medical help arrives. Prerequisite: HPX major or permission of the Department Chair.

HPX 177 Fitness for Life Lecture 1 SH
This 1 SH course meets once a week to discuss the effect of exercise, physical activity, and fitness on health and disease. The lecture is taken in conjunction with an activity section (HPX 177A) designed  to improve cardiovascular, muscular and /or flexibility fitness. Competency: Health and Wellness (HW) for lecture only, First Year Navigation (FY) for designated sections.

HPX 177A Fitness for Life Activity  1 SH
This course is taken in conjunction with lecture course (HPX 177FY) and includes 2 weekly activity classes that are designed to improve cardiovascular, muscular and/or flexibility fitness.

HPX 200 Introduction to Community Health and Organizations 3 SH
This course focuses on the process of conducting a comprehensive needs assessment in community health. Students will learn skills in primary and secondary data collection, information literacy in health promotion, community needs assessment, community asset mapping, and group facilitation. Fieldwork in this course includes assessing needs and involving the community in the process. Fall semester. Prerequisite: Health Promotion Studies major; 2.5 cumulative GPA; C+ or higher in HPX 103; or permission from department chair. Competency: Information Literacy (IL).

HPX 202 Epidemiology of Disease 3 SH
Course emphasis is placed on the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. It focuses on an understanding of diseases and conditions (chronic and infectious), risk factor relationships with diseases/conditions, and the epidemiological process. Summarizing and interpreting data are key skills addressed in this course.

HPX 203 Introduction to Human Nutrition 3 SH
This course introduces students to the basic function of food in the human body. Through the course, students explore the basic nutritional needs of people throughout the life cycle, the nutritive composition of foods, and the digestion, absorption and assimilation of nutrients in the body. Students will receive the foundational knowledge in nutrition science appropriate to continue on to higher level, nutrition-focused coursework.

HPX 205 Nutrition and Health 2 SH
This course explores the basic nutritional needs of persons throughout the life cycle, the nutritive composition of foods, and the digestion, absorption and assimilation of nutrients in the body. Corequisite: HPX 207.

HPX 207 Nutrition and Health Lab 1 SH
This course expands upon topics introduced in HPX 205 and provides hands-on-experience. Students will explore current topics such as popular diets, nutritional supplements, and organic foods. In addition, students will learn how to distinguish reliable nutritional information versus misinformation. Students will apply nutritional concepts and assessments to the individual. Corequisite: HPX 205.

HPX 212 Dance and Culture: World Dance 3 SH
This course is designed to bring the field of dance to life on a variety of levels and to help students grasp a wide range of cultural, aesthetic, and historical worlds from which dance is born and which are perpetuated by dance. The goal of this course is to provide students with keys to a fuller understanding of the field of dance, its origins, its healing rituals, and its relationship to other areas of the humanities and social sciences and how dance can be used as an analytical tool to better understand the world. The class introduces a variety of dance practices from around the world through a series of readings, lectures, discussions, movement workshops, and participant-driven interaction. Guest artists (experts in various disciplines) will augment learning through demonstration and shared knowledge of respective dance traditions. This course combines intellectual engagement (reading, writing, research, and class discussion) with the physical and sensational experience of moving in accordance with cultural practices particular to these two areas. By utilizing these two learning methods, we take a holistic approach to understanding dance as a way of carrying cultural knowledge. Competency: Intercultural (IC).

HPX 215 Health Issues in the Schools (Grades PK–12) 3 SH
This course is designed to meet the needs of individuals who are in education programs to learn about teaching health topics as mandated by Connecticut law (i.e., child sexual abuse; AIDS; alcohol; nicotine and other drugs; suicide prevention; conflict resolution). Curricula and developmentally appropriate lesson plans which can assist educators in providing information, attitude clarification and living skills will be presented and discussed. The course will provide a strong information base and the opportunity to practice those skills needed to teach potentially controversial and sensitive health topics. Prerequisite: Education major; 30 credits of course work completed with a GPA of 2.67 or higher.

HPX 230 Drug Studies 3 SH
The pharmacology, sociology and psychology of drug use and abuse will be examined in detail. Legal implications of the Drug Abuse Act will also be evaluated. Drug education in public schools will be addressed. Spring semester. Prerequisite: HPX major or permission of the Department Chair.

HPX 240  Introduction to Principles of Holistic and Integrative Health 3 SH
This course will provide an introduction to various approaches in complementary and alternative medicine and to explore the role of the integrative holistic health in health promotion. An overview of traditional and alternative healing modalities will be explored. Students will be introduced to the multidimensional concept of wellness and will investigate the application of traditional and alternative health practices appropriate for each dimension. The course will present an integrated model of care which includes conventional, traditional and alternative health care practitioners working together to enhance the health of their clients. In addition, students will evaluate emerging trends in holistic health and career opportunities.

HPX 241 Mind/Body Interventions for Healing 3 SH
Mind and body practices and interventions include a large and diverse group of procedures or techniques that can be practiced on oneself or administered by a trained practitioner. This course provides an overview of these techniques including but not limited to acupuncture, massage therapy, manipulative techniques, movement therapies, relaxation techniques, meditation, mindfulness, energy healing, and touch therapy. Guided practice in selected modalities used to promote wellness will be provided. Students will learn the uses and benefits of each therapy and have the opportunity to create a personal body movement plan for self-care. An understanding of the interactions among the brain, mind, body, and behavior will be provided with a focus on the ways in which emotional, mental, social, spiritual, and physical dimensions of wellness affect health.

HPX 242 Cross-Cultural and Traditional Healing Methods 3 SH
This course is an overview of methods used by many cultures to ensure balance in one’s life in order to promote health and healing. It provides an understanding of various holistic healing systems such as Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Naturopathic Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Native American, Tibetan practices, and traditional healing techniques from around the globe. Students will identify and describe the key beliefs, and underlying principles for each as well as examine social, cultural, environmental and global perspectives of healing within these healing systems.

HPX 244 Movement, Mindfulness, and Meditation: Wellness the Body, Mind and Spirit Way 2 SH
This course will provide students with a variety of tools to enhance intellectual, emotional, physical and spiritual dimensions of wellness. The mission of this experiential course is to enhance wellness by inspiring students to discover their ability to bring positive change to themselves and the world around them. It aims to teach hands-on skills for the practice of movement, mindfulness, and meditation techniques for enhanced wellness and the knowledge and understanding of how to weave these elements together for maximum benefit in life. The techniques can be used for the student’s own self development or can be shared with others, informally or in a teaching context. Competency: Health & Wellness (HW).

HPX/HUM 246 Approaches to Well-Being in Indo-Tibetan Philosophy
India’s Vedic, Samkhya-Yoga, Buddhist and Tantric philosophies offer insightful analyses of the mind and body and the art of living. Their approaches include introspective practices for developing clearer awareness of one’s own mind and health in a way that increases one’s awareness of other minds and lives. Elements of these philosophies and practices are being incorporated into western medicine, psychology and healing arts. This course will focus on the classical texts and their contemporary applications. Competencies: Intercultural (IC), Health and Wellness (HW).

HPX/HUM 247 Indigenous Spirituality & Environmental Activism
This course looks at indigenous cultures of the Americas, Central Asia, Africa and Australia. With a focus on their vital and spiritual relationship to their distinctive environments, it examines the challenges they face from the forces of colonization and globalization, their environment actions, and the views and actions opposing them. Competencies: Intercultural (IC), Information Literacy (IL).

HPX 253 Concept of Diseases 3 SH
Leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States and the progress in research related to diseases will be discussed.  Emphasis will be on communicable and non-communicable diseases. Competency: Health & Wellness (HW).

HPX 254 Exercise Testing and Prescription 3 SH
The seminar portion of this course examines the relationship between physical activity and health, and reviews some basic exercise physiology, biomechanics, and kinesiology. In lab, students will have the opportunity to practice fitness assessment techniques, physical activity counseling, and exercise prescription. Every other semester.

HPX 255 Group Exercise Instruction 3 SH
This course is designed to teach students how to create, organize, and instruct group exercise classes in the three areas of physical fitness – cardiorespiratory, muscle strength/endurance, and flexibility fitness. Student will learn basic principles associated with exercise classes (e.g. progression) and will have the opportunity to observe and instruct exercise classes under supervision.

HPX 270 Health Education: Theory and Application  3 SH
This course focuses on behavioral science theories from an ecological perspective and the planning of health promotion programs based on the needs identified in HPX 200. The fieldwork/application focus will be on planning a program that is theory based and that addresses identified needs. Data will be used to guide the program planning process and will involve working with the community to plan the program. The Health Promotion Studies students will create the plan for the program which will be implemented in HPX 370 using a participatory approach. Spring semester. Prerequisite: Completion of HPX 200 with a final grade of “C+” or better or permission of the HPX Department Chair.

HPX 271 Health Education: Programs in the Community 3 SH
This course provides an overview of the Areas of Responsibility for Community Health Educators as identified by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing. The focus is on Areas I through IV teaching the necessary processes for implementing a health promotion program in the community. Students will be required to plan, implement and evaluate an actual program. This course is for Health Education majors and others interested in developing health education programs in the community. Spring semester. Prerequisite: For Health Education majors or permission of Department Chair.

HPX 298 Faculty Developed Study 1–6 SH

HPX 299 Student Developed Study 1–6 SH

HPX 301 Health Promotion Policy, Advocacy, and Partnerships 3 SH
This course focuses on policy as an effective way to improve the health of populations and reduce health disparities. Students are introduced to the basic tools used in policy design, implementation and evaluation at the local, state, and national levels. Using current issues and research in the public health sector, students will learn how to impact policy decisions and foster an appreciation of the complexity of policy problems and the policy making.

HPX 311 School Health Programs 3 SH
This course focuses on health education content, process skills, instructional strategies, resources, inquiry-based activities, integration of the current State and National Standards, and the underlying theoretical basis for teaching health education to children in grades PreK-12. Candidates apply concepts previously learned in education classes to health-specific content areas. Application of prior learning experiences and observation of health education teachers in the field enable candidates to engage in a range of modalities of teaching and assessment processes for students with a range of different abilities, including students with special needs. Informal health education settings are introduced to familiarize candidates with strategies and resources for a comprehensive learning experience. This course allows for application of previously-learned self-management strategies and classroom management techniques for maintaining an environment conducive to learning. Fall semester. Prerequisite: Acceptance to the Professional Health Education preparation program.  Corequisite: HPX 386.

HPX 313 Principles of Personal Training 3 SH
This course provides the foundational knowledge, through scientific evidence, required to build safe and effective exercise programs for individuals and groups. Students will receive in-depth training that introduces them to the field of personal training, teaches them the physiology of human movement, explains the application of behavior change modification, demonstrates effective screening and assessment techniques, and introduces comprehensive exercise program development. Upon completion of the course, students will be eligible to sit for the Certified Personal Training examination through the American College of Sports Medicine or other fitness certifying body. Prerequisites: BIO 105 (D-) Competency: Health & Wellness (313).

HPX 314 Exercise Physiology 3 SH
This course provides an in-depth study of the human body’s physiological response to the stress of exercise. Emphasis is on acute changes to the respiratory, cardiovascular, and muscular systems as well as long term training adaptations to these systems and the underlying mechanisms. Prerequisite: HPXS major or minor; BIO 106.

HPX 318 Exercise Kinesiology 3 SH
This course explores the basic foundations of kinesiology through a focus in biomechanics including the study of forces and their effects on living systems as well as introducing students to the technology utilized in the field of biomechanics. The history of biomechanics is outlined, from the early work of Marey to modern-day high-tech analyses. The focus will specifically highlight sport and exercise biomechanics using the study of external and internal biomechanics and their effects on humans in sport and exercise. Broad applications of sport and exercise biomechanics are identified including performance improvement and injury prevention. Foundational concepts including forces, kinetics, work, power, energy, and torque will be utilized to practice qualitative biomechanical analyses with the intent to improve technique, training, and understand injury development. Prerequisite: BIO 105 (D-).

HPX 343 Food, Herbs, Supplements and Other Natural Products 3 SH
This course provides an introduction to Natural Products that are widely marketed to consumers and includes a variety of products, such as herbs (also known as botanicals), vitamins and minerals, and probiotics. These products are readily available to consumers, and often sold as dietary supplements. It will also provide information about healing properties of foods differentiating between organic, natural, processed and GMO foods. Students will also learn about the history, demographic use, FDA regulation, scientific research and issues of dietary supplements and constituents and properties of herbs and their impact upon the indications and contraindications for herbal use.

HPX 344 Energy Healing: Reiki Certification 3 SH
This course provides an introduction to the concepts and theories of energy, energy structures, energy fields and the universal life force, explains the energetic connection among individuals and the environment, and examines the impact of energetic interactions and energy transfer on healing. Students will receive in-depth training on Reiki, including the historical background, Reiki Ideals, 3 pillars of Reiki, scanning, methods of treatment and Japanese Reiki symbols. Students receive attunements at all three levels and will be eligible for certification as a Reiki master.  Prerequisite: HPX 240 or permission of the Department Chair.

HPX 346 Tibetan Buddhist Art, Philosophy and Culture 3 SH
This course is part of a proposed summer study abroad at the Norbulingka Institute of Tibetan Arts and Culture in Dharamsala, India. The trip will give students a real-life experience of Tibetan culture and issues of cultural survival, as well as an understanding of life in a non-western “developing” country. The program will greatly diversify the study abroad options offered by the University. It will offer students an excellent and memorable way to fulfill 2 General Education competencies. Additionally, it will foster stronger ties between the University and the local Buddhist community, and contribute to the goals of the University’s Center for Compassion, Creativity and Innovation. Competency: Health & Wellness (HW), Intercultural (IC).

HPX 348 Principles of Wellness Coaching 3 SH
Wellness coaching is a highly effective and focused approach for enhancing the health and well-being of the coach’s clients. It involves facilitating achievement of client-determined wellness aspirations by applying behavioral science theories and using evidence-based business practices and strategies. In this class students will use a client-centered process to mobilize the internal strengths of their clients and offer resources for sustainable change in their clients’ lives. Prerequisite: Health Promotion Studies major; C+ or higher in HPX 270 or 271; or permission from department chair.

HPX 352 Mental Health 3 SH
This course is an exploration of mental health as an integral part of overall health and well-being across the lifecourse and examines the role of health promotion in mental health. Current theories of mental health promotion are explored. This course focuses on improving individual competencies, identifying mental health resources, developing strategies to maximize psychological strengths and community assets to enhance well-being, prevent mental disorders, and improve the quality of life for people and communities.

HPX 353 Environmental and Global Health 3 SH
This course provides an overview of the relationship between environment and health and the impact of human behavior on the ecosystem. On a global scale, discussions include key environmental health burdens, environmentally-related diseases, costs and consequences of environmental health problems and reducing the burden of disease. The role of diversity on health status, access, and delivery with respect to culture, race, ethnicity, economics, and politics is a primary focus for this course. Fall semester.

HPX 355 Human Sexuality 3 SH
This course is a discussion of emotional, social, spiritual and physical development as it relates to human sexual behavior. Emphasis is placed on self-understanding and awareness of one’s own sexual nature and needs. Topics covered include human reproduction and sexual response, psychosexual development, interpersonal relationships, sexual deviance, and parenting (family planning). Fall semester. Prerequisite: Junior standing as Health Education major or permission of the Department Chair.

HPX 369 Exercise as Medicine 3 SH
This course provides an in-depth examination of the relationship between physical activity and disease. Physiological changes initiated by exercise are connected to the diseases and conditions that exercise treats. These diseases and conditions are reviewed and specific exercise treatments and prescriptions are discussed. Fall semester. Prerequisite: Junior standing. Competency: Health & Wellness (HW), Information Literacy (IL).

HPX 370 Health Promotion Program Design and Implementation 3 SH
Students will design and implement the program planned in HPX 270. The course focuses on strategies and methods of implementation including pilot-testing of program and delivery of the program. Students will use communication and marketing strategies from HPX 371 for dissemination. The use of process evaluation methods will be introduced for program refinement. Fall Semester. Prerequisite: Completion of HPX 270 with a final grade of “C+” or better. Corequisite: HPX 371. Competency: Writing Intensive Tier 3 (W3).

HPX 371 Health Communication Methods and Strategies 3 SH
This course provides strategies that community and school health educators can use for communicating and disseminating health promotion messages and materials. The course is a combination of a review of concepts and theories, learning new strategies and methods, and application. These experiences will be synthesized to enable students to communicate health messages and promote programs and services to individuals, groups (health care practitioners, legislators, business owners, etc.), and communities. Students will learn necessary strategies for marketing programs and communicating health-related information. Fall semester. Prerequisite:  Completion of HPX 270 with a grade of “C+” or better or permission of the HPX Department Chair. Corequisite: HPX 370.

HPX 380 Worksite Health 3 SH
This course reviews the worksite health promotion field to include employee and employer benefits, theories and models as the basis for programs, types of programs, and the necessary knowledge and skills for worksite wellness education. Prerequisite: HPX 100.

HPX 386 Health Education Professional Development School Experience 1 SH
Students who are enrolled in the Health Education Professional Semester are placed in public school classrooms for 10 days during their professional semester. They work with students under the direction of public school classroom teachers. In addition, they receive supervision from Health Education faculty. Students apply what they are learning in professional semester courses in P-12 classrooms.  Corequisite: HPX 311.

HPX 400 Outdoor Education 3 SH
This course covers the history, philosophy and significance of outdoor education in American culture. Current practices in the various types of camps are studied and discussed. Personal assessment of individual skills necessary for outdoor education leadership is followed by practice of the skills needed. A project which includes planning, carrying out and evaluating a worthwhile outdoor experience is required of each student.

HPX 460 Health Education Student Teaching Seminar 1 SH
This course includes an examination of student teaching experiences in human behavior and health; job interviews; resume writing; health education related to student teaching experiences; conflict management; professional research and health education issues covered in literature. Spring semester. Prerequisite: HPX 100, HPX 215, HPX 230, HPX 271, HPX 311, HPX 371, HPX 386, ED 440 and EPY 405. Corequisite: Must be taken concurrently with HPX 464.

HPX 464 Student Teaching 12 SH
Each student will spend a full semester (70 contact days) observing and teaching health and health-related classes in the public schools under the supervision of a state-trained cooperating teacher as well as a university Health Science faculty member. Participation in Student Teaching Seminar (HPX 460) and ED 340 is required. Students are urged not to be employed during the student teaching semester. Prerequisite: Permission of the program coordinator. May not have more than 13 semester hours of required general education courses or 8 semester hours of approved, academic major courses remaining. Spring semester. Corequisite: Must be taken concurrently with HPX 460. Competency: Culminating Experience (CE).

HPX 470 Health Promotion Program Evaluation 3 SH
Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of program evaluation. This course focuses on evaluation methodology with practical applications and illustrations. Topics in the course include, but are not limited to, the link between program planning and program evaluation; evaluation research designs and their limitations; integrating process and outcome approaches; methods of data collection and related measurement reliability and validity; and utilization of evaluation results. Students will evaluate the programs they implemented for the field work in this course. Spring semester. Prerequisite: Completion of HPX 370 with a final grade of “C+” or better or permission of the HPX Department Chair. Competency: Culminating Experience (CE).

HPX 490 Practicum for Health Promotion Studies 12 SH
This practicum is designed to provide the student with first-hand experience in a health organization. Students work full-time (450 hours) with a preceptor at an organization to determine specific responsibilities for the field experience. Students make arrangements for their placement with the department coordinator and must have their own transportation. Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or better in HPX 100, HPX 200, HPX 270, HPX 370, HPX 371, HPX 470, BIO 105, BIO 106 and other B.S. Health Promotion Studies option courses. Corequisite: HPX 491.

HPX 491 Health Promotion Studies Senior Seminar 1 SH
This course includes an examination of practicum experiences, human behavior and health, job interviews, resume writing, community health related to practicum experiences, conflict management, professional research and literature including current issues. Prerequisite:  A grade of “C+” or better in HPX 100, HPX 200, HPX 270, HPX 370, HPX 371, HPX 470, BIO 105, BIO 106 and other B. S. Health Promotion Studies option courses. Corequisite: HPX 490.

The following courses also have been approved and are offered periodically:
HPX 163 Basic Disaster Services
HPX 280 Principles of Health Education
HPX 310 Methods and Materials in Health Education

 

Physical Activity Courses

All physical activity courses meet general education requirements.

*HPX 177FY/177A Fitness for Life 2 SH
This 2 SH course is divided into one weekly lecture (HPX 177) and twice weekly activity class (HPX 177A) that is designed to improve cardiovascular, muscular and/or flexibility fitness. Student Independent Activities require HPX department approval prior to registration.

Current  Activity Course Offerings:

Aerobics
Ballet
Basketball
Hip Hop
HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training)
Hiking/Power Walking
Multi-methods
Power Walking/Games
Resistance Training
Softball
Stability Ball/Core
Swimming
Tai Chi
Tap Dance
Tennis
Volleyball
Yoga
Zumba
Student Independent Activities

Health Science

See Health Promotion and Exercise Sciences.