My name is Dr. Velia Jimenez, and I will be your instructor this semester. We will work together to learn the basics about social determinants of health (SDOH). 

This syllabus is mobile-friendly and can be easily accessed on your phone. Bookmark it on your phone so that you can locate it easily and reference it often. There is a lot of important information you will need to be successful in this course, including how to reach me. Make sure you view all the pages!

Communication Policy

I will respond to any Canvas message or email within 24 hours during the week and 48 hours on the weekend.  I try my best to respond as soon as possible, but please remember I could be in another class or in a meeting when your message comes through.  Your messages are important to me, I will always respond as soon as I can! 

Attendance Policy

Attending a course with both in-person and online components necessitates you participate in both modalities. You will need to attend our in-person lecture as well as contribute to online lecture work on Canvas.  Attendance at our first class meeting is mandatory. Contact me immediately if there are any unanticipated issues, to see if we can work anything out.  Remember, I am here to support you.  Please communicate any difficulties or complications as soon as possible.  The earlier I know, the more options we have to make adjustments.

Per College Policy, missing more than 10% of class may result in a student being dropped from a course.  Failure to regularly participate in our online lecture or missing 2 in person meetings is over 10% of our class time together.   These absences are counted in the same manner for attendance purposes, regardless of them being excused or unexcused.

Excused absences must be documented and unavoidable, such as an illness or court activity.  An excused absence will excuse you from any points awarded that day, such as a quiz, or allow you to hand in an assignment, at the next class meeting.  Vacations are not unavoidable and are considered an unexcused absence.

How to be successful in this course 

• Plan your time accordingly, if you wait too long to get started on coursework it is very easy to become overwhelmed.  Space things out through the week, ensuring to give yourself breaks in between activities.  Breaks are an essential part of learning that can be easily forgotten when we are stressed for time.  Breaks give your mind time to recover from the learning work you just completed and time to process the items you just invested that work in.

• Give yourself the time necessary to complete all required and recommended activities for the week. For example, one week may require you to complete a discussion board, or uploading your chapter assignment.  There is no busywork in this class, every activity/video/assignment has been created with the goal of supporting you in your learning process.  

Campus code of conduct 

There is a lot of useful information as to your rights as a College of the Canyons student in the COC Student Conduct Code, available HERE.

Academic integrity (plagiarism and cheating) 

Academic integrity is a core value of the academic community. It is essential for maintaining the quality of higher education, for the development of critical thinking skills, and for ensuring that academic achievements are based on merit. College of the Canyons defines academic integrity as the ethical and honest pursuit of knowledge, scholarship, and intellectual growth. It involves upholding the values and principles that guide ethical behavior in academic work, including honesty, fairness, trust, and respect for the intellectual work of others. 

At College of the Canyons, we believe that academic integrity is one of the most important qualities college students need to develop and maintain. Conversely, academic dishonesty is any practice or behavior, whether intentional or unintentional, that undermines the integrity of material submitted for academic credit. Academic dishonesty violates the principles of academic integrity and can have serious consequences for both the individual and the academic community. Common types of academic dishonesty fall into one of three categories: 

1. Plagiarism or self-plagiarism 

   • Plagiarism is submitting someone else’s work as one’s own, or without adequate or proper attribution, including unauthorized use of AI-generated material 

   • Self-plagiarism is resubmitting the same work from a different class without the current instructor’s knowledge and approval (e.g., using the same term paper in more than one class) 

2. Cheating. Examples of cheating include (but are not limited to):

   • Copying from someone else’s test, or any evaluated assignment 

   • Using an unauthorized aid during a test (e.g., phone, smart watch, notes or browser) 

   • Unauthorized collaboration or communication with others during a test or an independent assignment, including downloading, uploading, sharing, or duplicating course material. 

   • Unauthorized use of generative AI or other web-based application 

3. Fraud. Examples of fraud include (but are not limited to): 

   • Having a test, or an assignment completed by someone else 

   • Buying, selling or otherwise obtaining or distributing term papers, assignments, or tests 

   • Falsifying, misrepresenting, or forging an academic record or supporting documents (e.g., submitting a fake doctor’s note, misrepresentation of identity) 

   • Improper access/obstruction of materials/systems (e.g., stealing a term paper or test) 

   • Misrepresentation, falsification, or fabrication of data presented for surveys, experiments, and reports including authors, data or falsely claiming attendance at a class event 

It is the responsibility of all members of the academic community to uphold the principles of academic integrity and to prevent instances of academic dishonesty. Cases of alleged academic dishonesty may be referred to Student Conduct for investigation. Relevant disciplinary action policies can be found in the Student Conduct Code, available HERE.   

Your final grade will be determined by the total number of points you have earned through the lecture (approximately 460 points).   

Grading Scale 

To achieve an A, earn 90–100% (414.0–460.0 points)

To achieve a B, earn 80–89% (368.0–409.4 points)

To achieve a C, earn 70–79% (322.0–363.4 points)

To achieve a D, earn 60–69% (276.0–317.4 points)

To achieve an F, earn less than 50% (less than 230 points)

Lecture Work 

Lecture material is presented through on Canvas. You should expect to spend a minimum of 3 hours per lecture module to work through the embedded activities. The module assignments will typically be due Monday at 11:59pm.  Discussion board assignments are the primary exception, with the initial post being due by Wednesday at 11:59pm and replies to classmates due by the end of Saturday, when the module closes.

Lecture Exams 

All exams will be taken in class and the dates for each of the three exams can be found on the Schedule page of this syllabus.  

Late Work Policy 

All assignments are to be submitted on time by 11:59 pm on their respective due dates. Missed assignments, discussion boards, quizzes or exams cannot be made up.

*If you need to submit an assignment late, please email the instructor, and the instructor will decide to give you one week after the due date to submit before an assignment closes. If you need more time or help, contact the instructor for an extension. Without an extension, assignments submitted after the closing date will not be accepted.