Module: EDU6105-20 Health, Education and Wellbeing

Level: 6

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Bethan Mitchell

Module Tutor Contact Details: b.mitchell@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

This module will consider the important role that education can play in the promotion of health. In particular, it will consider the psychological underpinning in relation to health-related behaviour and why people pursue ‘unhealthy’ lifestyles even when they are aware that it may be affecting their overall health and current or future quality of life.

There will be an emphasis on relating underlying theoretical perspectives to practical real-life experiences and situations. You will have the opportunity to attain knowledge about health behaviour and examine particular health issues such as alcohol consumption, smoking, dietary advice and eating behaviour patterns, exercise and the impact of stress on health that will enable you to make reasoned choices concerning your own health behaviour. You will also be able to develop an understanding of health behaviour that will enable you to provide guidance to other people regarding their life-styles and risk-taking behaviour.

There will be an opportunity to consider various settings for Health promotion and Health Education e.g. the workplace, schools, medical centres, hospitals and you will be able to evaluate the resources that are available in relation to health education and promotion. The role of the mass media will also be evaluated.

2.Outline syllabus

The module will provide the opportunity for you to learn about key aspects of health education and health behaviour. You will consider questions such as: What are the cues to action that prompt people to adopt a healthier lifestyle? How can people’s lifestyle choices be influenced to encourage health? You will also explore food and dietary choices, attitudes to food and diet-related diseases and illnesses e.g. anorexia nervosa, obesity, heart disease and diabetes. Other issues central to health such as alcoholism, stress, smoking, drug-taking and the relationship between health and exercise will be considered. You will also examine the underlying psychological and cultural explanations for the development of particular health attitudes.

3.Teaching and learning activities

Delivery of this module will involve lectures, workshops, tutor and student led seminars and independent study.  You will be expected to undertake independent research in relation to the module content and you will draw upon your own experiences and knowledge to contribute to seminar discussions.

Recommended reading will be given each week to support the work you undertake in the lectures and seminar sessions and you will be expected to engage with follow-up work which will be posted on the intranet (Minerva) to direct your independent study.

Throughout the module there will be opportunities for individual and group tutorials to discuss your progress on the module and to receive help and guidance on the module assessments and how best to use your independent study time.

There will be an opportunity to undertake individual research to explore particular facets of health behaviour. This will involve you conducting a small-scale independent research study which will enable the application of theory to the practical situation.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description:  A critical evaluative report  (2500 words)

• % Weighting: 50

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: A group or individual presentation (2500 words equivalent)

• % Weighting: 50