UMD SPHL 291 Entire Class

University of Maryland SPHL 291 Does Science Support Nontraditional Healing Practices? Entire Class

Does yoga improve the health of wounded warriors and/or breast cancer survivors? Can mindfulness enhance your business success and family relationships, or is it social media hype? Do you know what reflexology is, and does it help reduce your personal stress level? Increasing numbers of people are using nutritional supplements, meditation, yoga, and other forms of exercise, acupuncture, and experiences in nature to reduce stress levels and improve overall health and well-being. In the media, scientists to celebrities have alternately endorsed or rejected claims about how these and other nontraditional health practices benefit health and well-being. Students will sample some of these nontraditional health practices and explore whether these practices can enhance their own well-being. General scientific methods for health research will be introduced and students will use this knowledge to evaluate the existing scientific research on these practices. Students will also evaluate whether popular and media translation of scientific research on these practices is fact-based.

Note: This entire class includes discussions, assignments, course projects, and exams.