Leisure, Health, and Wellbeing: Theoretical, Practical, and Policy Perspectives
Curriculum guideline
Effective Date:
Course
Discontinued
No
Course code
THRT 4704
Descriptive
Leisure, Health, and Wellbeing: Theoretical, Practical, and Policy Perspectives
Department
Therapeutic Recreation
Faculty
Applied Community Studies
Credits
3.00
Start date
End term
Not Specified
PLAR
Yes
Semester length
Flexible delivery ranging over 2 to 15 weeks
Max class size
30
Contact hours
60 Hours
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Tutorial
Learning activities
- Lecture/discussion
- Community service learning
- Student debates/presentations
- Media – videos, DVD
Course description
This course builds upon the foundational concepts of health, health promotion, health determinants and population health. The fundamental question that we ask and attempt to answer in this course is: Why are some people healthy and others not? In this course we focus on the meaning of health and the factors that influence the health, well-being, and quality of life of individuals, families, communities, and nations. Theories and understandings of the determinants of health are explored in relation to current health issues and health promotion models, strategies and interventions. The research, theory and application of the Leisure and Wellbeing Model are explored in depth in relation to health promotion, recreation, and therapeutic recreation.
Course content
Meanings and measures of health, quality of life, wellness, and wellbeing
- Interdisciplinary approaches
- Strengths and limitations of different definitions and measures of health
Evolution in approaches to public health and health promotion
- Historical developments in the field from health protection to health promotion
- Lalonde Report, Alma Ata Declaration, and the Ottawa Charter
- Principles of primary health care, health education, health promotion, population health
Population health and the social determinants of health
- Definitions and research evidence for major determinants including poverty, socioeconomic inequalities, social support, physical environment, race and culture, and gender
- Exploration of other relevant and timely issues, including aging, ability / disability, mental health and addictions, homelessness, violence
- Links and relevance to recreation, leisure, and therapeutic recreation
Health promotion and health policy
- Healthy Communities, Action Schools! BC, and other promising practices
- Working with community partners and government
- Current climate for health promotion, health research and policy development
Leisure and Wellbeing Model
- Foundational research and theoretical approach
- Application of model linking to leisure education and serious leisure
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Analyze the ways health has been conceptualized and measured across different fields of research.
- Examine the major historical developments, debates, and tensions in the fields of health promotion and public health.
- Critique how the determinants of health are commonly understood, measured, and portrayed in relation to current health problems and issues.
- Evaluate current health problems in relation to the role and interaction of various determinants.
- Articulate the links between the health determinants framework and approaches to leisure, recreation, and therapeutic recreation.
- Apply the Leisure and Wellbeing Model in a community setting guided by theoretical and foundational research.
Means of assessment
This course will conform to Douglas College policy regarding the number and weighting of evaluations. Typical means of evaluation would include a combination of:
- Tests
- Written assignments
- Leadership presentation
This is a letter graded course.
Textbook materials
T.B.A.
Prerequisites