Courses

Core Courses
There are seven required core courses (3 credits each)

Required Courses:

HAX 602: Frameworks, Models and Classification Systems in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
This is a foundational course that examines the dynamic interaction between health, disability, and community as well as contextual factors as identified using different frameworks and models. These frameworks and models will be expounded to recognize the influence of each solely and collectively in terms of health and rehabilitation research, disability studies and behavioral and community health research. Parallels and divergences in approaches will be explored with a particular attention to analyzing how students in these three concentrations can work together to engage in meaningful translational research. In addition, students will critically evaluate the role that models and classification systems have played in multiple domains of historical and present-day society and research paradigms.

HAX 653: Research Design and Methods
This course presents process and skills needed to develop independent research studies, including but not limited to, formulating a research question or hypothesis, conducting literature searches, critically appraising scientific literature, and selecting appropriate research designs and methods. This information will be presented in the context of protecting human subjects and health information based on the policies and procedures of the Committee on Research Involving Human Subjects (CORIHS) and IACUC. 

SOC 501: Multivariate Stats for Social Science
This course is an advanced treatment of descriptive and inferential statistics with emphasis on the latter. Students will gain practical experience in analyzing current data from the social sciences through the use of statistical computer programs. Topics include: sampling, measures of central tendency and dispersion, probability theory, hypothesis testing, point and interval estimation, the normal, binomial, and chi-square distributions, parametric and non-parametric measures of association and correlation, and bi-variate regression.

SOC 502: Multivariate Regression Techniques
This course provides an in-depth overview of regression analysis, primarily focused on OLS modeling. Topics include: inferences in regression analysis, dummy variables, interaction terms, and diagnostics and remedial measures. The course concludes with an introduction to other regression techniques such as logistic and probability modeling.

HAX 656: Qualitative Research
This course trains students to understand and apply the basic principles and techniques of effective analysis and interpretation of qualitative data. Students will learn the strengths and limitations of qualitative analysis and how it complements quantitative analysis. They will apply a range of analysis techniques and interpret their own qualitative research through exercises.

HAX 605: Research Ethics
Presents a broad overview of research ethics and regulation. Conveys the moral bases of scientific ethics, the historical evolution of social science and biomedical research ethics, and the development, implementation, and limitations of U.S. human subjects regulations. Includes ethics and morality in science; science in society; scientific integrity; misconduct; whistleblowing; conflicts of interest; collegiality; publication and authorship; peer review; history and development of human experimentation ethics and regulations (HHS, FDA); Institutional Review Boards; informed consent, waivers, vulnerable populations; privacy and confidentiality of records; epidemiology; and research using animal subjects.

HAX 632: Teaching and Learning
This course will introduce students to adult learning principles and strategies for effective teaching of cognitive psychomotor and affective skills and behaviors in academic. Teaching/learning philosophies, characteristics of the adult learner, learning styles, self-directed learning and reflective practice will be explored.

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Concentrations:

1. Behavioral and Community Health Track

   This concentration has 12 credits of required courses and 15 credits of electives

   Required Courses

   HAX 647: Policies and Ethics in Behavioral and Community Health
   This course will explore the health care policies of the US health care system and the influence on public health and programs in behavioral and community health. Topics will include access and utilization of health care, barriers to care, prevention programs, and health disparities and ethics. The course will address the perspectives of the consumer, provider, and the institution.

   HAX 640: Community Health and Community Based Participatory Research
   This course will provide an overview to critical issues in conducting research in community settings. This course will provide an overview of models of community-based services. It will cover the general principles of community-based participatory research, and practical and ethical issues in collaborating with communities, quantitative and qualitative techniques used in community-based participatory research, evaluations, and interventions.

   HAX 642: Participation and Health in Pediatric and Educational Settings
   This course is an exploration of the policies and programs that inform pediatric services and community based research. There will be a focus on pediatric programs that influence health and community participation. This will include programs that support health, wellness, and community participation as well as those influenced by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) that supports children with disabilities from Birth to 21 years.

   HAX 641: Community Mental Health
   This course will explore the policies and programs that address the mental health needs of individuals with a community health focus. Students will apply models of behavior and health to explore topics of mental health. Topics such as prevention, stigma, marginalization, and self-determination, and challenges to service provision will be addressed. The ethics of research with this population will be a central theme of this course.

   ELECTIVES (prior to enrolling in any 500-level course, a student must have permission from his/her advisor)

   ECO 645/646: Health Economics
   Critical reviews of research in health economics topics of current interest, such as empirical and conceptual models of physician behavior, competition in the pharmaceutical industry, the economic impacts of managed care, and the causes and consequences of unhealthy behaviors. Students will present and critique original research and produce a research paper on a topic of their interest.
   
   HPD 601: Human Subjects: This Responsible Conduct of Research
   This introductory course incorporates three components focused upon identifying: 1) the ethical principles associated with human subjects research; 2) the primary tenets of responsible conduct of research; 3) academic career planning. This course provides a philosophical basis for current research ethics practices, identifies outstanding ethical issues and controversies in clinical and translational science and research, and provides students with knowledge and access to resources such that they may to address the ethical challenges that may arise most effectively. The course provides a more in-depth exploration of the ethics and responsible conduct of clinical and translational science research that can supplement current mandated training in the area.
   
   HPD 681: Advanced Social Determinants of Health
   This course will build on the prior HPH 523 and further examine the current evidence supporting an association between social determinants (e.g., socioeconomic status, physical living conditions, individual characteristics, social support, etc) and health. Students will review and critically examine the current literature on the social determinants of population health with the goal of identifying gaps in this literature which may be filled by future research. Concepts relating to the social determinants of health - e.g., identification of current priority areas, theoretical frameworks and perspectives, intervention, research methodology, etc, will be addressed as each comes up in the context of the reviewed journal article. Using publicly available data sets, students will choose a research topic related to an identified gap in the current research on the social determinants of health, propose a project to examine this topic or need which can be accomplished using publicly available data sets, conduct the analysis and write up their project in a format suitable for submission for publication.
   
   HPH 620/621: Parameters of Social and Health Policy One, Two
   Introduces students to United States social policy, with special emphasis on political, economic and social factors that have affected its historical development, particularly in reference to oppressed groups. Explores relationship of social policy to ethical social work practice.
   
   HPH 636: Community Analysis and Health Promotion
   Explores diverse concepts of community, analyzes a range of community structures, processes and power relationships. Investigates contemporary models, strategies and tactics of community organizing and health promotion in the United States and in selected other countries and emphasizes efforts made by poor people, ethnic minorities of color and women to organize and mobilize community groups and movements. Highlights group and community analysis and organization skills. Advanced Practice Elective.
   
   PHI 613: Philosophy and Politics

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2. Rehabilitation Movement Sciences Track

   This concentration has 12 credits of required courses and 15 credits of electives

   Required Courses:

   HAX 620 Rehabilitation and Disability
   Introduces the Science of Rehabilitation and the Science of Disability. Presents models of rehabilitation and disability research and discusses controversies and commonalities between these areas. Forms the groundwork for future coursework in rehabilitation and movement sciences.

   HAX 635 Biomechanics of the Musculoskeletal System and Movement I
   Introduces students to principles and interrelationships of biomechanics and movement. Includes physical biomechanics of the extremities as a foundation from which to apply biomechanical principles. Involves learning to use mathematical approaches to solving static problems and lay the groundwork for solving dynamic biomechanical problems. Reinforces biomechanical theoretical concepts and mathematical models with lab experiments that involve the manipulation of 3D kinematic, kinetic and EMG data.

   HAX 631: Electro/Neurophysiology: Topics for Rehabilitation Research
   Introduces basic methodology of clinical electrodiagnostic measures of EEG, EMG, nerve conduction velocity studies (NCV), H-reflex and evoked potentials. Interpretation of these measures provides access to the physiological basis of disability in peripheral or central nerve damage and potentials for recovery. Examines the interventions using peripheral and central electrical stimulation modalities on muscle, bone, cardiovascular and autonomic systems. Incudes lab activities of selected modalities such as E-stim, FES, TMS, EEG, EMG, NCV, and H-reflex.

   HAX 634 Motor Learning and Motor Control
   This course will introduce the various theories underlying human motor control. Students will actively synthesize and analyze current theory and research related to motor control and skill acquisition through examination of relevant literature. This course places emphasis on determining the implications of this work for future research, educational and/or clinical practice. Includes early and contemporary theory, skill acquisition facilitation, practice, feedback, transfer of training, modeling, part vs whole training, imagery, implicit learning, explicit learning and memory systems.

   ELECTIVES (prior to enrolling in any 500-level course, a student must have permission from his/her advisor)

   HAX 636 Biomechanics of the Musculoskeletal System and Movement II
   Provides advanced concepts of kinetics in the field of biomechanics. Explores biomechanical concepts during lecture and reinforces those applications with associated lab experiments. Provides viscoelastic characteristics of biological tissues as a foundation applied to human motion. Includes mathematical models of the musculoskeletal system and analysis of the dynamics of human motion. Collection and analysis of gait and other movement kinematics, kinetics and muscle activation by electromyography (EMG) are components of lab activities.
   
   HAX 630 Exercise Physiology and Physical Activity
   Provides key elements of exercise physiology and instructs students in measurement techniques for the assessment of exercise capacity and physical activity. Review normal physiology of the cardiopulmonary system and presents normal immediate response to exercise, and long-term effects of exercise in the healthy individual. Explores foodstuffs for energy production, metabolic pathways for production of ATP, and energy systems used in aerobic and anaerobic activities. Principles of physical activity assessment and body composition and examines qualitative and quantitative measurement techniques across the lifespan and in disability. Assimilates, via lab manual, literature reviews of articles addressing measurement.
   
   HAX 637 Orthopedic and Anatomical Principles I
   Provides advanced concepts of orthopedics and anatomy. Focuses on best evidence of examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, and procedures used for a variety of orthopedic conditions of the spine and pelvis. Requires active engagement in problem solving by identifying research problems, searching for evidence, and evaluating and synthesizing the evidence to answer research questions. Includes examination of select advanced procedures and principles to enhance research investigations.
   
   HAX 638 Orthopedic and Anatomical Principles II
   Continues and expands on advanced concepts of orthopedic interventional research. Focuses on best evidence of examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, and intervention of orthopedic conditions of the extremities. Requires active engagement in problem solving by identifying research problems, searching for evidence, and evaluating and synthesizing the evidence to answer research questions. Student directed pilot study will incorporate knowledge of select advanced techniques and technologies.
   
   HAX 629 Evidence Based Pediatric Rehabilitation Research
   Provides students an opportunity to develop an overview of issues related to the health of America’s children and adolescents. Emphasizes chronic disease and disability, nutrition, fitness, educational accommodations, and trends in long term health services and health policy. Explores the growing need for evidence based practice and outcomes assessment necessary for the development of strategies for optimal function of children with disease disability and their families. Students will review and analyze evidence for interventions for a specific pathology/disability.
   
   HAX 628 Evidence Based Geriatric Analysis and Treatment
   
   HAX 626 Outcomes Measurement in Rehabilitation Research
   Introduces outcome measures relating to impairments, functional limitations and disability, general health status, and patient/client satisfaction. These outcome measures are used to guide research outcomes. Explores measurement properties and discusses strategies to appropriately access and select various outcome measurement scales. Critical appraisal of the literature will provide the basis for making research methodological decisions regarding selection of the most effective outcome measures.
   
   HAX 639 Technology and Medical Imaging in Rehabilitation
   Examines a range of medical imaging techniques available for use and interpretation in rehabilitation research. Includes radiographs, fluoroscopy, MRI, fMRI, CT, qCT, MEG, TMS, and diagnostic US. Synthesizes the technologies and their limitations, the methods of capture and interpretation. Reviews evidence supporting or refuting the sensitivity of these techniques in determining outcomes in rehabilitation.
   
   HAX 627 Biomedical Instrumentation

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3. Disability Studies Track

   This concentration has 12 credits of required courses and 15 credits of electives

   Required Courses:

   HAX 667/EGL 592 Disability Studies Language, Narrative and Rhetoric
   Focuses on how language and rhetoric frame how disability is perceived, experienced, and treated. Included critical and rhetorical analysis of professional discourses as well as personal disability narratives and memoirs. The Society for Disability Studies, an interdisciplinary nature of disability studies and the role language and rhetoric play in representations of disability. Some questions to be explored include: In what ways d clinical or professional discourses and personal narratives reveal experience of power and powerlessness? How is the bodily experience of disability described in professional contexts as compared to personal narratives? How does description and perception influence the practice of professionals and quality of life for people with disabilities? What assumptions about disability are revealed through rhetorical analysis? These questions will frame our attention to representations of disability in a variety of texts: academic, professional, literary, clinical, personal, and visual. Not to be taken for credit with ESL 592.

   HAX 668 Emerging Topics in Disability Studies
   Focuses on the intersections of disability with other emerging area studies such as gender, class, sexuality, race and global studies. Encompass study of different emerging disciplinary areas of disability studies in the social sciences, health sciences, humanities, business, and technology. Explores the connections between disability activism, art, and scholarship in the 21st century. Traces emerging regional distinctions in disability studies research and scholarship, especially between Northern and Southern Countries.

   HAX 665 Disability Participation and Justice
   Explores concepts of “Participation” and “Justice” as they relate to disability experience. Introduces research strategies, participatory methods and methodologies for disability studies research in the applied social and health sciences. Discusses ethical issues in disability research and what it means to disabled people in daily life. Examines social analysis, healthcare discourse, and research on the evolution of healthcare practices, cultural beliefs, and social structures influencing the treatments, services, and opportunities available to disabled people in the United States and internationally.

   HAX 664 Conceptual Foundations of Disability Studies
   Present conceptual foundations of disability studies beginning with the 19th and early 20th century theories and scholarships. Theorists from the 1960s and 1970s who influenced the theoretical development of the new field of disability studies will be discussed. The course will explore foundational disability studies scholarship of the 1980s and 1990s as the field established itself first in the social sciences and then the humanities.

   ELECTIVES (prior to enrolling in any 500-level course, a student must have permission from his/her advisor)

   WST 610: Madness and Civilization 1960-1980
   A variable topics seminar course in women's studies for the advanced student. Topics might include feminist peace politics, women in Third World cinema, feminist theology, or feminist philosophy. Course may be repeated as topic varies. Sections of this course are co-scheduled with SOC 509, PHI 615, and PHI 616.
   
   HCB 511: Bioethics, Disability & Community
   Most people will experience disability at some point in their lives, and for some it will shape their social, personal, family, educational, and employment experiences. Viewpoints on disabilities which have emerged in policy and the broader culture have been explicitly challenged by emerging communities of people with disabilities who seek to speak for themselves and claim full inclusion in society. In this context, bioethicists and disability scholars have found points of both common cause and stark disagreement over issues such as neonatal and end-of-life care, the value and values inherent medical decisions and their outcomes. These bioethical debates occur in the context of debates over the rights of individuals with disabilities to self-determination, accommodations for work and schooling, and the potential for people with disabilities to make unique contributions because of--rather than despite--their disabilities. This course will consider major debates in bioethics in light of recent scholarship in disability studies, drawing on perspectives from philosophy, literature and narrative, history, and sociology.
   
   HAX 663: Disability, Occupation and Community
   Inspired by disability justice social movements in the US and abroad, this course presents politically engaged critical approaches to disability that intersect community organizations, the arts and academic fields including occupational therapy, disability studies and anthropology. Broader than a medical category, disability identity recognizes the political and economic dimensions of disability inequity as it related to other forms of inequality and disadvantage. Themes include all permutations of the concept of occupy; disability justice/decolonization; participation and training for collaborations; marginalization and minorization; technology; struggle, creativity, and change.
   
   HAX 669: Disability and Health in Local and Global Contexts
   Critically examines the experiences of people with disabilities in a local and global context and examines the connections between the two contexts. Utilizes policy documents, ethnographies, memoirs, program evaluations, and multimedia and provides the tools to critically evaluate local and global disability experiences as well as programs and interventions.

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