Table 1.

Syllabus with Course Objectives & Topics Covered, ‘Psychology of Stress’, Spring 2020.

Course Objective 1: Recognize how stress can be measured & identify key theories explaining our stress response

Week 1: Class Overview / Definitions & Sources of Stress

Week 2: Stress Measurement

Week 3: Theoretical Models & Science of Stress

Week 4: Elements of the Stress Response / Controllability

Course Objective 2: Establish how stress affects health & illness through physiological & behavioral mechanisms

Week 5: Stress & Disease / Psychoneuroimmunology

Week 6: Sleep Problems & Management

Week 7: Health Behaviors & Stress

Course Objective 3: Construct arguments addressing individual differences in stress responses across the lifespan

Week 8: Epigenetics & Stress

Week 9: Individual Differences in Stress Responses

Week 10: The Power of Perceptions / Managing Emotions

Week 11: Social Support, Relationships, & Communication

Course Objective 4: Evaluate and report on several empirically based stress reduction strategies

Week 12: Modifying Thoughts / Mindfulness

Week 13: Diaphragmatic Breathing / Guided Imagery

Week 14: Progressive Muscle Relaxation / Autogenic Training

Week 15: Positive Psychology / Complementary & Alternative Medicine