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Holistic Health Studies Courses

HHS 6700: FOUNDATIONS OF HOLISTIC HEALTH AND WELLNESS (2 credits)
This course provides an overview of holistic health and the emerging integrative model of healthcare. You begin by comparing and contrasting the philosophical differences between the conventional healthcare model and the holistic model. New approaches in science and current research across several disciplines are used to support the holistic view. The influence of culture and social change movements within the field are explored, including an historical view of the role of women as healers. Emphasis is placed on the role of the holistic practitioner and the partnership model for client/practitioner relationship. You arrive at your own perspectives on health, illness and dying after studying diverse theorists. This course provides opportunities for networking in the community.

HHS 6720: COMPLEMENTARY/ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO HEALTHCARE (2 credits)
You study various alternative/complementary healthcare practices within a given framework to include: key characteristics of the approach, working mechanisms, expected client outcomes, scope of practice and research base. Selected practitioners of alternative/complementary healthcare guest lecture about the following fields: homeopathy, naturopathy, chiropractic and Chinese medicine. You gain an awareness of community and Web resources.

HHS 6730: CULTURE AS A RESOURCE IN HEALTH AND HEALING (2 credits)
This course offers you the opportunity to learn in a setting of direct contact with the wisdom of cultural communities. Based on a curriculum developed and field tested at the Powderhorn Phillips Cultural Wellness Center, the course guides you to explore health and disease from the perspective of culture. Course content includes the examination of the cultural constructs underpinning the medical system, the role of culture in the interaction between practitioners and patient, and the much overlooked role of the reconnection to cultural heritage in healing for both practitioner and patient. The course develops these issues with examples from the major cultural traditions of the world. You experience learning by immersion in a community-based center, readings, introspection and reflection, journaling and artwork. The course is held at the Powderhorn Phillips Cultural Wellness Center and uses guest lecturers from the community. Your exploration of your own culture and its healing traditions is a major feature of the course.

HHS 6740: SPIRITUAL WELLNESS (2 credits)
This course focuses on the relationship between state of health and well being and the faith, belief and meaning systems each person creates across the life span. You learn about the belief and meaning-making processes from a number of perspectives and identify pathways to physiological responses that may enhance or endanger health. Current research is brought to bear on the convergence of science, spirituality and psychology as it pertains to spiritual and physical health. In addition, you experience opportunities for connecting to the sacred and techniques to elicit spiritual healing.

HHS 6760: ECOLOGY AND HEALTH (2 credits)
This course explores the interrelationships of humans and the environment. You are introduced to the basic concepts of ecosystems in relationship to human behavior and human adaptations within these ecosystems. The role of the individual and of the society and their contributions, directly and indirectly, to the quality of the environment are emphasized along with the impact of current environmental conditions on the overall health of humans. Included in the course are considerations of potential solutions, ranging from personal to political, of the environmental science issues explored.

HHS 6820: MOVEMENT, RELAXATION AND HEALTH (2 credits)
This course goes beyond the traditional concept that suggests conventional physical fitness is synonymous with good health. You explore a holistic approach that looks at the six dimensions of wellness and how traditional and nontraditional kinds of physical exercise play a role in mental, emotional and physical health. Both Western and Eastern concepts and research findings regarding the body and the mind are studied to offer a balanced synthesis.

HHS 7500: CORE CONCEPTS IN MIND/ BODY INTERACTIONS (2 credits)
In this course, you explore the emerging science of psychoneuroimmunology, which provides the conceptual framework for mind/body interactions. This course moves the study of basic physiology to a deeper treatment of concepts related to molecular-cellular function including the uses and transformations of biochemical energy, the molecules that carry regulatory information in the body and the impact of psychosocial factors on immunity. You examine primary research and collateral research in quantum healing and systems theory.

HHS 7520: WOMEN AND HOLISTIC HEALTH (2 credits)
This course examines women's health from an historical, cultural, class, feminist and holistic perspective. The influence of racism, sexism, ageism and classism on the socially constructed view of women in the medical model is analyzed. The role of women as healers in a variety of cultures is discussed, along with the impact of the political and social climate of the times on these healing traditions. The impact and influence of social movements such as those occurring in the '60s on women's health is explored. You become familiar with current alternative/complementary healthcare systems for women through guest lectures provided by practitioners in their fields.

HHS 7620: ORGANIZING FOR SOCIAL CHANGE (2 credits)
This course begins with an introduction to a broad history of social movements in this country in order for students to understand themselves and the current holistic health movement in an historical context of social change. The course also examines the historical impact of these social movements on society. A variety of social change strategies and traditions are explored to give you concrete organizational leadership skills. Through classroom assignments, projects and guest lecturers, you identify and develop your own internal capacity to organize for change on behalf of others. You have an opportunity to apply classroom learning in the community working with an existing organizing effort or project.

HHS 7710: ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO NUTRITION (2 credits)
This course explores both the principles of nutrition and practical uses of alternative nutritional approaches. The class discusses the way various food choices are influenced and the impact food choices have on individual health and the environment. There is hands-on exposure to the delicious variety of wholesome foods. You learn about the latest scientific findings on food and healing and how to evaluate nutrition information. Through an exploratory approach, you are given the opportunity to expand your personal food choices, enhance your understanding of eating and health and become aware of community resources. This course also considers personal nutrition in the context of local and global sustainable agriculture and the importance of examining the impact of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), herbicides, pesticides and food irradiation as it relates to preserving a healthy food chain.

HHS 7800: MINDFULNESS-BASED MEDITATION (3 credits)
This course is an experientially based introduction to the philosophy and practice of, and research in, mindfulness meditation as a therapeutic modality. It is modeled after Jon Kabat-Zinn's Stress Reduction Program at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. Through quiet observation of thoughts, sensations and emotions, participants develop their ability to concentrate, relax and let go of habitual reactions to fear, anxiety and other stress-producing emotions. You are provided with ongoing opportunities to develop and refine four key practices that form the basis of mindfulness, or Vipassana, meditation as it has evolved over the centuries in Asia. You gain the essential elements necessary for an ongoing personal meditation practice, the benefits of which nourish you and your clients.

HHS 7830: ENERGY HEALING I (3 credits)
Energy Healing I explores the use of presence, touch and imagery to facilitate health and healing. A theoretical base for energy healing is considered, as well as an overview of different systems of energy healing. You learn specific skills from Therapeutic Touch, Healing Touch and guided imagery with a focus on themes and techniques held in common. Current research literature and ethics of practice are considered throughout the course.

HHS 7835: ENERGY HEALING II (3 credits)
In Energy Healing II, you continue to learn the use of presence, touch and imagery to facilitate health and healing. Major concepts and techniques presented in Energy Healing I that include Therapeutic Touch, Healing Touch and guided imagery are studied at an advanced level. You learn to assess the client's energy system, create a plan for a client session and perform energy healing to facilitate health and healing. Emphasis is on integrating techniques and working in a professional context. You also explore the relationship between the body, spirituality and the mystery of spiritual healing. Prerequisite(s): HHS 7830

HHS 7900: HERBOLOGY (3 credits)
This introduction to herbology discusses the philosophy, history and basic principles of botanical medicine. You receive information on obtaining, preparing and using herbs for medicine. Therapeutic constituents of medicinal plants, as well as basic pharmacy principles, are covered.

HHS 7991-7994: CREDIT FOR ACADEMICALLY RELEVANT LEARNING (CARL) (1-4 credits)
The CARL program provides an opportunity for students in the generalist concentration to earn credit for prior learning that took place outside of the classroom. Interested students work with a faculty member to develop a proposal and to create a portfolio that describes and documents a relevant, graduate-level learning experience. Students are charged a rate of 50 percent tuition for CARL credits and may apply for the program after completing a minimum of nine graduate credits at the University. S/U grading only. Prerequisite(s): Limited to students in generalist concentration; instructor, program and dean permission

HHS 8900: QUALITATIVE & QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH: MINDFUL INQUIRY (3 credits)
HHS 8900 is the first in a sequence of three required research courses in which students learn and experience a holistic model of research. This course provides a broad overview of research and the complexities of holistic health research. HHS 8900 builds a foundation for understanding the research process and application of research to practice. During this course, you discern your research interest(s) and purpose(s) by choosing a research topic and co-collaborators. You also discern your predominant and emerging epistemologies, ontologies, and philosophies in order to understand the underlying values and assumptions of research. Students collaboratively write an introduction to a research proposal, write a literature review, develop a preliminary research question, and compile a reference list.

HHS 8920: PRACTICUM AND INTEGRATIVE SEMINAR (2 credits)
This course provides you with the opportunity to apply holistic health methods in a community setting and to integrate your learning in the Master of Arts in Holistic Health Studies program with your specific fields of work or to expand in new directions through a 100-hour practicum and 24 hours of a classroom seminar. You have the opportunity to be engaged in community-based learning for your practicum. This course also encourages you to engage your body, mind and spirit in pursuit of your own professional and personal goals. As you complete the program, you take practical steps to integrate knowledge gained from the program, the practicum experience and your own professional background. To demonstrate this integration and get you ready for the marketplace, you create an individualized plan. Prerequisite(s) Taken the final term in the program

HHS 8940: RESEARCH METHODS AND STATISTICS (3 credits)
This course is the second course in a required series of three research courses for students in the Master of Arts in Holistic Health Studies program and builds on the foundation laid in HHS 8900. This course focuses on the fundamentals of sampling, instrumentation, protection of human subjects, data collection procedures, data analysis procedures and design strengths and limitations. You develop and write a project proposal and submit either an IRB or Creative Application and discern decisions related to project implementation. Prerequisite(s) HHS 8900

HHS 8980: RESEARCH SEMINAR (2 credits)
This course is the third course in a required series of three research courses for students in the Master of Arts in Holistic Health Studies program and builds on the foundation laid in HHS 8900 and 8940. This seminar supports you as you complete your project. You write the results and analysis/evaluation of your project and make a formal public presentation. This course also addresses how to use research and evaluation to continue one's professional growth. Prerequisite(s) HHS 8940