Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - HSCI 312 D100

Health Promotion: Individuals and Communities (3)

Class Number: 2090

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    60 units, including either HSCI 130 or BPK 140, with a minimum grade of C-.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Theoretical frameworks and their applications in health promotion and disease prevention. The development, implementation, and evaluation of programs aimed at individuals and communities in Canada and globally. Students with credit for HSCI 401 prior to Fall 2010 may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Overall Goal and Expected Outcomes

Health education and promotion interventions—and their evaluations—are guided by theoretical frameworks. A key goal of this course is to provide students with the foundation to understand, assess, and effectively apply theory in practice.

The course is designed to:

  1. Introduce the role of social and behavioral theory in health education and health promotion efforts.

  2. Examine the relationship between behavior and several major health issues.

  3. Provide an overview of the social and behavioral theories that inform our understanding of health-related behavior and underpin health promotion and disease prevention efforts.

  4. Explore how these theories are applied in real-world health education and promotion initiatives across diverse settings.

Grading

  • TEST 1 20%
  • TEST 2 20%
  • Needs Assessment Paper (Individual ) 20%
  • Health Promotion Proposal (Group) 40%

REQUIREMENTS:

Computer and Intenet access are required

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

The required readings and other learning materials will be available on the course Canvas page on a weekly basis. 

The following textbook is highly recommended: 
Edberg, M. Essentials of Health Behavior: Social and Behavioral Theory in Public Health. Boston, MA: Jones & Bartlett.  Third Edition, © 2019. 

https://www.jblearning.com/catalog/productdetails/9781284069341 
ISBN: 9781284069341

RECOMMENDED READING:

Weekly Readings will be available on Canvas 

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.