Overview
This introductory, three-credit course is well suited for the general-interest and non-science student who requires a science credit.
HLST201 starts with a discussion of what determines the health of individuals and communities. It then discusses each of the determinants of health, provides examples of how these impact health and asks the student to assess how these determinants impact their own health. The course ends with a summary of strategies to help positively impact health status.
Outline
This course includes the following 12 units.
- Unit 1: Introduction to the Determinants of Health
- Unit 2: Income and Social Status
- Unit 3: Social Support Networks and Social Environments
- Unit 4: Education and literacy
- Unit 5: Employment and Working Conditions
- Unit 6: Physical Environments
- Unit 7: Personal Health Practices and Coping Skills
- Unit 8: Healthy Child Development
- Unit 9: Biology and Genetic Endowment
- Unit 10: Health Services
- Unit 11: Gender
- Unit 12: Culture
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to
- assess and discuss how the determinants of health impact health status.
- define and understand each determinant of health and apply this knowledge to personal life circumstances.
- discuss the implications determinants of health have on the health of communities.
- review a public health intervention, identify the determinants it addresses, and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of this program.
Evaluation
To receive credit for this course, you must achieve a minimum grade of “D+” (55%) on each of these activities and an overall grade of “C-“ (60%) or better for the entire course. Please refer to the undergraduate grading policy for additional information.
| Activity | Weight |
| Assignment 1 | 15% |
| Assignment 2 | 15% |
| Midterm | 15% |
| Assignment 3 | 15% |
| Assignment 4 | 20% |
| Final Exam | 20% |
| Total | 100% |
The midterm and final examinations for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
This course either does not have a course package or the textbooks are open-source material and available to students at no cost. This course has a Course Administration and Technology Fee, but students are not charged the Course Materials Fee.
Course Text
There is no textbook for this course.
Course Resources
A list of required readings, websites, and citations is included online in each unit.
The study guide, introduction, study guide units, assessment overview, and course feedback survey are all located online.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the HLST 201 challenge registration, you must achieve a minimum mark of at least “C-” (60 percent) on both assignments and the examination.
| Activity | Weight |
| Essay Assignment 1 | 30% |
| Comprehensive Exam | 70% |
| Total | 100% |
Challenge for credit course registration form