1. HP 400: Culture, Lifestyle, and Health
Spring 2013 Syllabus
Tuesday-Thursday 12:30-1:50 p.m.
Faculty:
Parvin Shahlapour, PhD.
Tell: 310-462-0306
E-mail: shahlapo@usc.edu
Office hours: By appointment
TA:
Jie Ren
Tell: (213)- 300- 3094
E-mail: jieren@usc.edu
Program Office:
Angela Almer Turk
3375 South Hoover
University Village, Suite E210
Tell: 213-821-1601
Text Book:
“Critical Issues in Global Health”
By: C. Everett Koop, Clarence E. Pearson, M. Roy Schwarz
Published by Jossey-Bass
Additional readings
Course Description
This course will examine the effects of cultural and lifestyle differences on national and
international health status indicators. We will discuss cultural, social, economic, ethnic,
and religious perspectives on healthy behaviors, disease, coping, and healing, as well as
their effects on rates of infectious and chronic diseases. Using this information as
background, we will focus on the prevention of behavioral risk factors for disease. We
will examine how inequalities and conflicts stemming from differences influence health
outcomes for various populations.
The course covers topics in national and international health problems and health
behavior, cultural approaches to health promotion, cultural perspectives on conception
and contraception, diseases such as CVD, HIV/AIDS, and a wide range of cultural
perspectives in relation to health.
Diversity Course Criteria
This course fulfills the Diversity Course Requirement by focusing on how social,
economic, racial, religious, and cultural background, gender, and sexual orientation can
affect individual health and well-being. It also examines the health impacts of conflict
and oppression that can arise from human diversity.
Course Objectives
After completing this course, you will be able to do the following:
1

2.  Understand the ways in which cultural differences influence health behaviors and
health outcomes
 Think critically about the complex interactions between culture, ethnicity,
religion, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and other group
identifiers as they relate to health and health behaviors
 Apply your knowledge of the major health issues facing different populations in
order to design programs that meet the needs of those populations
 Practice health promotion with cultural sensitivity
 Approach health research with a critical eye toward how subjects’ culture or
group identities may affect study results
Learning Methods
 Lectures
 Reading assignments
 Class discussion
 Class project and presentations
Blackboard
USC’s electronic blackboard system will be used throughout the semester. Lectures,
reminders, and messages will be posted. In addition, documents such as the course
syllabus and helpful information about the class project will be posted. Please check the
Blackboard system accordingly to ensure that you are kept updated. The Website address
for Blackboard is https://blackboard.usc.edu.
Evaluation Criteria
Evaluation will be based on daily activities, class participation, class project and
presentation, midterm and final exam.
Attendance, Class Participation and Class Activities: You are expected to attend
lectures, arrive on time, remain for the entire class period, and to engage in active,
thoughtful, and respectful class participation. There will be activities during most class
sessions that will refer to the material and accompanying readings covered during the
session. Each activity is worth a certain amount of points. Class attendance and
participation is worth 50 points you will lose 2 points for each absentee. If you participate
in all classes and appear on time, you will receive an extra 5 points.
You are responsible for making sure you sign your name on the attendance sheet for
the day regardless of your arrival time. Plagiarism in attendance and signing for
some one else on the sign-in sheet will result in an “F” grade in the course.
*There are no make-ups of the daily activities, even for pre-planned or emergency
absences.
Reading: You are expected to come to class prepared to discuss the assigned reading for
that day. During class, you are expected to be prepared to discuss important points from
the readings, and to ask questions if there is something you do not understand from the
readings or class discussions. It is your choice how much you contribute to active class
discussion, but we have found that, students who excel in their classes take the time to
both read and think about the reading material assigned.
2

3. Class Project and Presentation: You will work on a project investigating the effect of
life style and culture on promotion and prevention elements of selected health issues in
selected countries and compare them with the US. All topics must be approved in
advance by the professor. The project has two components: a short report and the
delivery of a 15 minutes presentation to the class about your topic.
Further information and detail about the class project will be distributed and
discussed in class.
Course Evaluation and Grades: Grades will be assigned based on the following
formula:
EXAMS: Midterm Exam: will covers Classes 1- 15.
Final Exam: The final exam is scheduled for Wednesday, May 15 2-4 pm
The University requires that all instructors adhere to the final examination schedule. The
exam will cover the material addressed during the entire course. Questions will be scored
according to a grading rubric in the syllabus and will be discussed in class.
All challenges to any exam grades or final grades must be submitted in a written
format within ONE WEEK after posting of grades. I will make ZERO exception to
this rule as the exams need to be filed and stored in a timely manner.
Grades: Grades for the course will be calculated according to the following formula:
1. Class Attendance & participation…….… 10%..........................50 points possible
2. Class Project & presentation…………… 30% ……………...150points possible
3. Midterm …..………………………….... 30%........................150 points possible
4. Final Exam …………………………… . 30% …………….. 150 points possible.
Total ……………………………………...100%…………….. 500 points possible
Grade percentage of 60% or greater considered as passing for each of these components.
Final grades for course are assigned according to the following:
98-100% = A+ 485-500 points 77-79% = C+ 385-399 points
94-96% = A 465-484 points 73-76% =C 365-384 points
90-93% = A- 450-464 points 70-72% = C- 350-364 points
87-89% = B+ 435-449 points 67-69% = D+ 335-349 points
83-86% = B 415-434 points 63-66% =D 315-334 points
80-82% = B- 400-414 points 60-62% = D- 300-314 points
Policy on late work and absences: Make-up exams will not be offered, except in the
case of documented personal/family emergencies. In these exceptional cases,
appropriate documentation (for example, a note from a doctor) is required for a student
to make-up a missed exam.
All work is expected to be turned in on time, so please plan accordingly.
Controversy and Respect: This course covers a wide range of cultural issues, some of
which may be controversial. You are expected to be courteous and respectful to fellow
students, professors, and guest speakers. If you anticipate ethical or religious
3

4. objections to any of the material covered in this course, please consult me within the
first two weeks of the semester.
Distractions: Please do not take your class time to peruse the student newspaper or do
homework from other classes. Cell phones/pagers/loud electronic devices must be
turned off during class time. You may choose to take notes on a laptop computer;
however, you are expected to refrain from playing computer games, surfing the Web, or
working on homework from other classes. All of these activities can impede the learning
process for yourself and for your fellow students.
Academic Integrity: Academic integrity is expected of every student in all academic
work. You are held to the University’s Code of Academic Integrity. All USC students
are responsible for reading and following the Student Conduct Code, which can be found
at http://www.usc.edu/dept/publications/SCAMPUS/governance. The USC student code
prohibits plagiarism. Students who violate University standards for academic integrity
are subject to disciplinary sanctions.
Statement for students with disabilities: Any student requesting academic
accommodations based on a disability is required to register with Disability Services and
Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter of verification for approved accommodations
should be obtained from DSP and delivered to me as early in the semester as possible,
preferably within the first two weeks. DSP is located in STU 301 and is open 8:30 a.m.-
5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The phone number for DSP is (213) 740-0776 and
Email: ability@usc.edu .
Statement for students In USC sport teams: Any student requesting academic
accommodations based on a playing in any USC teams is required to bring an official
letter from Athletic department with the schedule date for all activities which required
excuse absentees within the first two weeks. Verbal notice is not acceptable.
Communication Policy: I encourage you to talk to me if you feel you are having
problems and need assistance, or even if you simply want to talk about your progress in
class. I will be happy to assist you with study tips and guidance on how to improve your
performance to earn the grade you desire. You are responsible for keeping all your
work until final grades have been assigned. In case of a discrepancy between my
calculations and your own, you will want to have them to show your earned points. I take
great time and effort to assign grades in a fair, impartial manner. If you wish to discuss
your grades with me, you should submit your request within ONE WEEK after
posting of grades. (I will make ZERO exception to this rule), I will review and if I
made an error in calculating your score, I will correct it immediately. If, however, you
wish to offer an extenuating circumstance as a reason for less-than-ideal results on an
exam, paper, or presentation, I will offer sympathy and, if appropriate, referral to student
academic or support services. I will not change a grade because of these circumstances.
The final exam is scheduled for Wednesday, May, 15 2-4 pm
4