Syllabus

Undergraduate Programs

HLTH 1030 – Stress Management

Credits - 3

Description

This course provides an overview of the principles and practices within the domain of stress management. The concept of stress, the psychobiology of stress, and physiological implications are examined. Determinants and measurements of stress are considered, along with the relationship of stress to physical/mental health and performance, primary prevention and intervention in stress management. Alternative and complementary modalities to address stress are explored. Students will assess stress, as well as learn and practice facilitate a variety of stress management and relaxation interventions.

Materials

Primary texts, available via the UNE library or from NIH:

Romas, M. J. A., & Sharma, M. M. (2022). Practical stress management: A comprehensive workbook. Elsevier Science & Technology.

Hayes, K. (2021).Stress related disorders sourcebook (6th ed.). Infobase Holdings, Inc.

Chu, B., Marwaha, K., Sanvictores, T., Awosika, A., & Ayers, D. (2024). Physiology, Stress reaction. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. 

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Define concepts of stress and stress management
  • Identify the causes and consequences of stress
  • Apply theories of stress to interpret the causes and consequences of stress
  • Analyze sources and influences of stress
  • Examine the influence of thinking on stress and stress management
  • Develop strategies for prevention and management of stress in areas of lifestyle, relaxation, and thinking
  • Experiment with stress management strategies and plans
  • Appraise stress management skills and select methods to improve stress management
  • Develop an informed, ethical foundation for assessing how personal actions impact the health of individuals, communities and the natural environment

Assignments

For all assessments and learning activities, see Brightspace for the full assignment descriptions and instructions. Read the prompts carefully and use the rubrics to confirm how assignments and discussions will be graded.

Weekly Discussions

All weeks of the course include a discussion prompt where students are required to submit an initial post and one or two response post(s). 

In weeks, 1-3, initial posts are due Saturdays by 11:59 pm ET. In weeks 4-8, initial posts are due Thursdays by 11:59 pm ET. responses to at least two peers are due Tuesdays by 11:59 pm ET.

Quizzes

There are quizzes on reading materials in Weeks 2, 3 and 5. Students are encouraged to use the assigned texts in completing the quizzes.

Reflection Assignments

Students will submit reflections on learning and experiences related to the course in Weeks 1, 2, 7 and 8.

Week 3 Assignment

Students will create educational material to demonstrate understanding of stress-related concepts.

Week 4 Assignment

Students will develop an Individual Stress Profile that will be important  to the development of a Comprehensive Stress Management Plan in Week 7.

Week 5 Assignment

Students will have the opportunity to practice and reflect on stress management techniques.

Week 6 Assignment

Students will engage in research and create a presentation about relaxation techniques to share with peers .

Week 7 Assignment

Students will submit a Comprehensive Stress Management Plan.

 

Students are expected to follow Academic Integrity expectations as articulated in the UNE Academic Integrity Statement. In HLTH 1030, it is the responsibility of students to ensure that all written work is their own. If AI tools are used for the purpose of brainstorming or organizing information, students should disclose use with citation.

 

 

Grading Policy

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown

Learning ActivityPoints
Discussions (10 @ 1.5 points each)10
Quizzes (3 @ 2 points each)6
Weeks 1, 2, 7 Reflections (3 @ 2.5 points each)7.5
Week 1 Assignment (Case Study) 2.5
Week 3 Assignment 10
Week 4 Assignment15
Week 5 Assignment10
Week 6 Assignment10
Week 7 Assignment20
Week 8 Reflection5
Week 8 Assignment 4
Total100

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 schedule: August 27, 2025-October 21, 2025

Weekly schedule:

Week 1: Aug 27 – Sep 2
Week 2: Sep 3 – Sep 9
Week 3: Sep 10 – Sep 16
Week 4: Sep 17 – Sep 23
Week 5: Sep 24 – Sep 30
Week 6: Oct 1 – Oct 7
Week 7: Oct 8 – Oct 14
Week 8: Oct 15 – Oct 21

 

Week

Topic

Assignments

Due Dates

1

Foundational Concepts of Stress Management

  • Discussion
  • Case Study 
  • Reflection on personal stress management history

Initial post due by Saturday 11:59 PM ET

Assignments and Response posts due by Tuesday 11:59 PM ET

2

Different Types of Stress and Stress Response

  • Discussion
  • Quiz 1
  • Reflection on experience of stress

Initial post due by Saturday 11:59 PM ET

Assignments and Response posts due by Tuesday 11:59 PM ET

 

3

Impact of Stress on the Body and Health Psychology

  • Discussion
  • Quiz 2
  • Educational material

Initial post due by Saturday 11:59 PM ET

Assignments and Response posts due by Tuesday 11:59 PM ET

4

The Impact of Thinking on the Experience of Stress

  • Discussion
  • Individual Stress Profile

Initial post due by Thursday 11:59 PM ET

Assignments and Response posts due by Tuesday 11:59 PM ET

5

Strategies for Stress Management

  • Discussion
  • Lifestyle Stress Prevention and Management Plan Part 1

Initial post due by Thursday 11:59 PM ET

Assignments and Response posts due by Tuesday 11:59 PM ET

6

Relaxation Techniques

  • Discussion
  • Relaxation Technique presentation

Initial post due by Thursday 11:59 PM ET

Assignments and Response posts due by Tuesday 11:59 PM ET

 

7

Thinking Practices and Strategies to Manage Stress

  • Discussion
  • Comprehensive Stress Management Plan
  • Gratitude reflection

Initial post due by Thursday 11:59 PM ET

Tuesday 11:59 PM ET 

8

Special Practices to Decrease Stress
  • Discussion
  • Personal stress management skills appraisal
  • Creative Expression

Initial post due by Thursday 11:59 PM ET

Assignments and Response posts due by Tuesday 11:59 PM ET

 

 

 

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? Email: prehealth@une.edu.

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.

Instructor and Support Contact Information

Check Brightspace for specific instructor and support specialist contact information.

UNE Libraries

Further Assistance

Your student service advisor monitors course progression and provides assistance or guidance when needed. They can assist questions regarding ordering course materials, University policies, billing, navigating the course in Brightspace, and more.

Policies

Attendance Policy

Online students are required to submit a graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. If a student does not submit a posting to the graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET, the student will be automatically dropped from the course for non-participation. Review the full attendance policy.

Assignments

Late 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 if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.

Proctored Examinations

Your course may have proctored exams. Please see your course for full details, access, testing requirements, and guidelines.

Students must follow all proctoring requirements for their exams to be credited. Please contact your instructor for specific feedback on exam questions.

Exam Attempts Policy

Students will receive two attempts at all proctored examinations. The higher score of the two attempts will be calculated into the final grade.

All students are encouraged to use a second attempt on their exams in order to improve their overall performance in the course.

Information about exam attempts can be found in your course.

Technology Requirements

Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Programs: Technical Requirements

Course Length

A schedule of lectures and assignments is included in this syllabus.

Courses in the program are equivalent to one-semester courses designed to be completed in 6 or 8 weeks.

  1. Enrollment in the course begins the day your section opens which is listed in the Academic Calendar found on the Student Success Portal.
  2. Course due dates, start and end dates are in respect to Eastern Time.

Withdrawal and Refund Policies

Please review the policies in your confirmation email. Contact PreHealth@une.edu with any questions.

Grade Policy

Students are expected to attempt and complete all graded assignments and proctored exams by the end date of the course. Contact support with any questions.

Transcripts

Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, only the student may request official transcripts. This may be done online by going to the University of New England Registrar website and following the directions on the page.

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.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

  1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
  2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
  3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
  4. Multiple submission of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
  5. 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.