2009 Fall PSY 109C-01
Bulletin Course Description Overview of the interdisciplinary field of behavioral medicine, emphasizing the integration of the social and behavioral sciences in the service of understanding physical health and illness. Psychosocial risk factors for medical illness; biobehavioral mechanisms whereby psychosocial risk factors affect pathophysiology; and biobehavioral intervention to treat and rehabilitate patients with major medical disorders in interdisciplinary settings. Psychology 109A encouraged as a Instructor: R. B. Williams
(Instructor named in bulletin description above may not be current. For current instructor, see listing below.)
Title BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE Department PSY Course Number 2009 Fall 109C Section Number 01 Primary Instructor Williams Jr.,Redford B Prerequisites prerequisite, but not required.
Synopsis of course content
This course is divided, like all of Gaul, into three parts: I. Psychosocial factors shown by epidemiological research to be risk factors for life-threatening medical illness; II. Biobehavioral mechanisms, including the role of genetic variation, whereby these psychosocial risk factors actually play a role in the causation of medical illness; and III. Behavioral interventions to ameliorate the pathogenic effects of psychosocial risk factors.
Textbooks
At present, there is no adequate text for the field of behavioral medicine. Instead of a course pack, I will endeavor, as the course progresses, to provide you with some reprints that will enable you to access the research literature behind the material being presented in class.
Assignments
Reprints to be read as they are provided.
Exams
There will be an hour exam following each of the first two parts of the course. These will consist of short answer questions and brief essays.
Term Papers
Instead of a final exam, there will be a term paper, on a topic that you will develop as we proceed, that will be due by the end of the semester.
Grade to be based on
Your course grade will be based, with equal weights given to each, on the two exams and the term paper. High quality participation in class discussion will also be considered in determining final grades.
Additional Information
In addition to covering historical published research in the field of behavioral medicine, the lectures will also present new, cutting edge research from ongong studies, including the role of genetic variation in shaping biological responses to stress.
