This course is an introduction to statistical concepts and data analysis. The elements of statistical thinking are presented as a means of using data for problem solving. Students apply statistical concepts to elementary data analysis using the statistical methods commonly used in health-care research. Examples of statisical applications in nursing and allied health research are provided. As part of this course, the students are introduced to the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM SPSS).

Students will employ basic strategies of film analysis to examine mainstream films that portray: 1) individuals who are designated 'mentally ill;' 2) the therapists who treat them; and, 3) selected treatment modalities. While an intensive review of the formal psychiatric diagnoses system (DSM-IV-TR) is beyond the scope of this class, students will critique the accuracy of the representation of psychiatric conditions, the effect of these conditions on individuals and families, and the roles of therapists and psychiatric interventions. The primary emphasis of this course is the effect of film on attitudes toward mental illness and the degree to which mainstream films both reflect and shape our attitudes toward individuals experiencing mental illness, toward those who treat it and toward the mental health treatment process.

Students explore key health policy issues in the United States and the
outcomes of policies for public, private, and not-for-profit settings. They
examine the influences of politics and interest groups on health policy formulation.
The effect of health policy on the health of urban communities
is analyzed along with the interplay of policy on infectious diseases, bioethical
issues, and globalization.

This course explores philosophical, theoretical, and the practice of holistic health care. The foundations of holistic health care lies in the belief that healing interventions need to take into consideration the whole person with the goal of bringing about unity, harmony, and integrity of the individual with one's internal and external environments. A focus of this course will be hands-on practice with each of these strategies with the intention that students will be able to integrate these holistic healing approaches into their practice. Strategies included in this course will be: relaxation techniques, guided imagery, foot reflexology, and therapeutic touch.