Syllabus
Graduate Programs in Public Health
GPH 721 Foundations of Maternal and Child Health – Fall A 2016
Credits - 3
Description
Maternal and child health provides a foundation for a community’s development and sustainability. Students will apply public health frameworks to maternal and child health concepts and issues; in the process they will gain a broad understanding of the field of maternal and child health from local and global standpoints. By the end of this course students will be able to use data for action, apply evidence based information, examine systems based approach to addressing issues, and examine cultural effects on maternal and child health.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
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Program Competencies |
Course Outcomes |
Weekly Outcomes |
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Promote policies, programs, and services for diverse populations that demonstrate cultural proficiency and community collaboration.
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Identify effective program, policies, and services related to MCH.
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Examine systems based approach to propose potential MCH solutions.
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Assess the role of community relationships and diverse perspectives in the development or implementation of public health policies, programs, and services.
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Utilize public health data to define a community and the contributing factors that impact the community’s health.
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Examine how MCH differs across the globe to cultivate a culturally sensitive approach.
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Articulate the role and value of public health in the social, political, and economic development of a community.
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Explain the development of MCH as a public health discipline and the role it plays in various contexts.
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Describe MCH issues within the context of the socio ecological model.
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Assignments
Discussion Board:
Each student is expected to post at least twice each week. One post should be an original contribution to the discussion. A second or sequential post should be in response to a classmate’s post. Initial discussion posts must be submitted by Sunday at 11:59 pm. For most weeks, that means you must have completed the reading by this time. At least one response post must be completed by Wednesday at 11:59 pm of the week the question is assigned.
If the initial post and response are not submitted within the discussion week you will be given a zero. Posts submitted after the discussion week will not be graded.
Quiz:
There are three quizzes throughout the course (Weeks 2, 4, and 6). For each quiz you will download the word document and follow the directions. Once you have completed the quiz, please attach the file to the appropriate submission area.
Project Assignments:
Throughout the term you will work on parts of your final project. Incorporate the feedback you receive from your instructor before you incorporate it into your final presentation.
Final Project:
The purpose of this course is to provide you with the skills to use data for action, apply evidence based information, examine systems based approach to addressing issues, and examine cultural effects on maternal and child health. The final project will combine the skills you have learned throughout the course.
For your final project you will be developing a presentation based upon a chosen case study. You will choose one of the three provided case studies and a role (epidemiologist, health educator, researcher, program planner, policy maker, etc…). You will approach your chosen case study from the perspective of your role. Throughout the term you will work on different sections of your presentation.
The audience for the presentation will be determined by the case study you choose (Louisiana Bureau of Health director, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and a local MCH health coalition). Your presentation should convince your audience that your proposal is based on a sound and strong public health foundation.
The purpose of the assignment is to expose you to a real life MCH issue and the different players involved. It will allow you to practice the skills learned throughout the course and the GPH program. As public health professional you will need to clearly present information to a specific audience. This project could be used in a job interview to demonstrate to a potential employer the skills you have learned during your master’s program.
Please review the final project document for a full description of the assignment requirements.
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Discussions | 4 submission, 7 points = 12 points |
| Quizzes | 3 quizzes, 6 points = 18 points |
| Project Assignments | 4 submissions, 7 points = 28 points |
| Logic Model | 10 points |
| Individual Presentation | 25 points |
| Week 8 Discussion | 7 points |
| Total | 100 points |
Grade Scale
| Grade | Points Grade | Point Average (GPA) |
| A | 94 – 100% | 4.00 |
| A- | 90 – 93% | 3.75 |
| B+ | 87 – 89% | 3.50 |
| B | 84 – 86% | 3.00 |
| B- | 80 – 83% | 2.75 |
| C+ | 77 – 79% | 2.50 |
| C | 74 – 76% | 2.00 |
| C- | 70 – 73% | 1.75 |
| D | 64 – 69% | 1.00 |
| F | 00 – 63% | 0.00 |
Schedule
Course Weeks
| Week 1 | Aug. 31 – Sept. 7 |
| Week 2 | Sept. 7 – Sept. 14 |
| Week 3 | Sept. 14 – Sept. 21 |
| Week 4 | Sept. 21 – Sept. 28 |
| Week 5 | Sept. 28 – Oct. 5 |
| Week 6 | Oct. 5 – Oct. 12 |
| Week 7 | Oct. 12 – Oct. 19 |
| Week 8 | Oct. 19 – Oct. 23 (Sunday) |
Course Schedule
Week 1: Maternal and Child Health (MCH) History and Infrastructure
Weekly Outcomes
- Describe historical events in the history of MCH to understand how they have contributed to its development.
- Identify the key components of the MCH infrastructure including funding, leading stakeholders, and United States governmental structure.
Readings/Videos
- History and Evolution
- Tracing the Historical Foundations of Maternal and Child Health to Contemporary Times
- HRSA Timeline
- Maternal and Child Health HRSA Fact Sheet
Assignments
- Case Study Forum: Review the provided case studies and choose your topic and role for the final project.
- Discussion: Introduce yourself to the class and your interest in MCH. Focus in on a point or component you found interesting from the reading this week.
Week 2: MCH Priorities and Data Sources
Weekly Outcomes
- Compare global and national MCH goals.
- Interpret MCH data to describe a community and health issue.
- Utilize MCH priorities and data to define MCH issues and problems.
Readings/Videos
- Read at least 2 Annual Compilations and 2 websites
- Millennium Development Goals 2015 (Specifically goals 2-5)
- Healthy People 2020 (Read Overview, Objectives, Interventions & Resources)
Assignments
- Project Assignment – Defining the Problem: This week you will define the problem within your chosen case study.
- Quiz 1
Week 3: Family Planning and Reproductive Health
Weekly Outcomes
- Describe the public health influences on family planning and reproductive health services in a community.
- Apply the socio exological model to a MCH issue/problem to identify connections.
Readings/Videos
- US and International Family Planning & Reproductive Health Efforts
- Council of Foreign Relations Report
- Sexual and Reproductive health: a Matter of Life and Death
Assignments
- Discussion: Think of the community in which you live. What hinders access to family planning and reproductive health services?
- Project Assignment – Socio Ecological Model: This week you will identify the socio ecological influences on the MCH issue from your case study.
Week 4: Maternal Health
Weekly Outcomes
- Identify leading health issues in maternal health.
- Identify evidence based interventions that address a MCH issue.
Readings/Videos
- Video: MDG Goal 5
- 10 Facts on Maternal Health
- Video: Maternity Care in the US
- Improving Preconception Care
Assignments
- Project Assignment – Evidence Based Practices/Interventions: This week you will choose evidence based practices/interventions that may address your MCH issue.
- Quiz 2
Week 5: Child Survival
Weekly Outcomes
- Identify health issues in child survival.
- Describe the contributing factors to disparities in child survival across the globe.
- Describe MCH evaluation activities.
Readings/Videos
- Video: Reducing Child Mortality
- The State of the World’s Children: Child Survival (read Section 1 and another section you find interesting)
- The Washington Post: Our Infant Mortality Rate is a National Embarrassment
Assignments
- Discussion: Pick a country from which you have ancestry. Compare the country’s infant and child mortality rates to Iceland.
- Project Assignment – Evaluation: This week you will determine the evaluation plan for each evidence based practice/intervention.
Week 6: Health of Youth
Weekly Outcomes
- Identify priority health issues in youth to understand their unique health needs.
- Describe a system based approach to empowering youth and addressing their needs.
- Develop a logic model to make connections within specific MCH issue.
Readings/Videos
- Healthy People 2020: Adolescent Health (read Overview, Objectives, Interventions & Resources, and National Snapshot)
- The Community Guide: Improving Adolescent Health (read about interventions)
- Population Reference Bureau: Adolescence, a Foundation For Future Health (download full report)
- Video: WHO – Health for the World’s Adolescents: A second Chance in the Second Decade
Assignments
- Project Assignment – Logic Model: This week you will develop a Logic Model that clearly depicts what your project intends to do or accomplish.
- Quiz 3
Week 7: Emerging Issues in MCH
Weekly Outcomes
- Identify emerging issues in MCH to understand where the field is headed.
- Craft a presentation that addresses an identified MCH issue.
Readings/Videos
- The New England Journal of Medicine: Global Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health – So Near and Yet So Far
- Video: Our Century’s Greatest Injustice (TED Talk)
Assignments
- Discussion: In this discussion you will focus on an emerging MCH priority issue that interests you.
- Final Project: Presentation Submission
Week 8: Presentation Review and Critique
Weekly Outcomes
- Analyze a presentation from the perspective of the intended audience.
Assignments
- Discussion: Review a peers’ presentation and provide feedback as though you are a member of the intended audience.
Student Resources
Online Student Support
Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.
Questions? Visit the Student Support Public Health page
UNE Libraries:
- Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Brightspace.
- Public Health Databases: https://library.une.edu/library-materials/find/research-by-subject/public-health/
- Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
UNE Student Academic Success Center
UNE's Student Academic Success Center (SASC) offers a range of free online services to support your academic achievement. Writing support, ESOL support, study strategy and learning style consultations, as well as downloadable resources, are available to all matriculating students. The SASC also offers tutoring for GPH 712 Epidemiology, GPH 716 Biostatistics, GPH 717 Applied Epidemiology, GPH 718 Biostatistics II, and GPH 719 Research Methods. To make an appointment for any of these services, go to une.tutortrac.com. For more information and to view and download writing and studying resources, please visit:
Information Technology Services (ITS)
- ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673
Accommodations
Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.
Online Peer Support
Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.
ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.
Career Ready Program
The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!
The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.
Policies
AMA Writing Style Statement
The American Medical Association Manual (AMA) of Style, 11th edition is the required writing format for this course. Additional support for academic writing and AMA format is provided throughout the coursework as well as at the UNE Portal for Online Students.
Online resources: AMA Style Guide
Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool
The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.
Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in APA citation and academic writing.
You can learn more about Turnitin in the guide on how to navigate your Similarity Report.
Technology Requirements
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements
Course Evaluation Policy
Course surveys are one of the most important tools that University of New England uses for evaluating the quality of your education, and for providing meaningful feedback to instructors on their teaching. In order to assure that the feedback is both comprehensive and precise, we need to receive it from each student for each course. Evaluation access is distributed via UNE email at the beginning of the last week of the course.
Late Policy
Students are responsible for submitting work by the date indicated in Brightspace.
Quizzes and Tests: Quizzes and tests must be completed by the due date. They will not be accepted after the due date.
Assignments: Unless otherwise specified, assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.
Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.
Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.
Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures
The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.
UNE Course Withdrawal
Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.
Academic Integrity
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit https://www.une.edu/studentlife/plagiarism.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.
Attendance Policy
8 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
16 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures
The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.
UNE Course Withdrawal
Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.
Academic Integrity
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.