HPER C416 Introduction to Health Counseling
Senior Nutrition/ Dietetics majors only
Instructor: Ruth C. Engs, Ed.D., R.N., Poplars 625, 855-9581,
e-mail: ENGS See my webpage

Required Texts: Study guide obtained at IU bookstore.

Course Description: A non-clinical introduction to counseling and referral strategies in Health Education is presented. Optimal health, environmental and genetic factors, group leadership and interaction, supportive listening, value clarification, crisis intervention, and appropriate referral strategies are discussed. Potential problems include obesity, substance abuse, stress, family planning, diseases, depression, aging, and death.

The student will:
Discuss the role of emotional health in determining optimal health.
Cite environmental and genetic factors affecting health.
Review various theories of growth and development and their principal proponents.
Examine the elements and process of group interaction.
Evaluate various leadership styles for group interaction.
Identify skills involved in effective communication, supportive listening, and decision-making.
Demonstrate the process of effective communication and supportive listening
Analyze the process of crisis intervention and appropriate referral.
List specific referral sources within the school and community.
Discuss supportive listening and referral strategies for health problems such as eating disorders, substance abuse, stress, family planning, chronic diseases, communicable diseases, depression, aging, and death.

Course Requirements and Grade:
There are two exams, on paper and a group assignment.
Attendance is required. If you miss more than three hours your grade will go down. However, if you miss for official reasons, i.e., university athletics, music, or other programs, you can do a one-page paper for each class you miss on how that event affec ted your mental, physical, social, and spritiual well-being. Attached to the paper must be the official letter from your coach, etc. Missing class for six (6) hours or more for nonofficially approved reasons is an automatic flunk. You are expected to be o n time to class. If you are late more than 2 times, you will be considered to have missed that class period.
Academic Dishonesty Policy: It is expected that all students will be academically honest. Those who are not will receive zero points on the exam or paper.
Reading Assignments:
The reading assignments are to be accomplished before coming to class so you can fully take part in class discussion.