University of South Florida
Florida/Caribbean AIDS Education and Training Center
Florida/Caribbean AETC Perinatal Transmission Prevention Program
Since 1988, the USF Center has provided training to more than 300,000 health and mental health care providers
 
HIV AND MENTAL HEALTH - COURSE SYLLABUS

For information about future offerings of this course, contact the instructor
Michael D. Knox

Sample Syllabus
8-18-2000

PHC 6934-010: HIV AND MENTAL HEALTH
College of Public Health
Fall Semester
Monday and Wednesday (11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.)

Classroom: MHA 126D, Westside Conference Center, Room D, FMHI
Instructor: Michael D. Knox, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor

Office: MHC 1343-The Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, USF.
Telephone: 974-4632 (If Dr. Knox is not available, ask for his voice mail.)
E-Mail: knox@usf.edu
(Always include the course number as the subject for any e-mail to Professor Knox.)

Office Hours: 12:15 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday and Wednesday and by appointment.

Students are encouraged to meet with Professor Knox when they have questions or concerns about this course.


Summary: This course will provide students with an interdisciplinary understanding of HIV/AIDS, focusing primarily on mental health, behavioral, public health, and ethical issues. It is part of the new public mental health focus offered through the College of Public Health in collaboration with The Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute.

HIV affects people psychologically like no other disease. HIV-infected persons can experience a wide range of psychological and neuropsychological problems that require mental health treatment. Their family, friends, and healthcare workers may also need mental health services. People at risk of infection also benefit from behavioral interventions. Students will study the unique contributions to prevention and treatment that both mental healthcare workers and theories can make to persons affected by HIV.

Some specific topics to be covered include: HIV-related Mental Health Services; The Epidemiology of HIV Disease; Historical and Cultural Perspectives; Transmission; Prevention; Infection Control; Ethics; HIV and the Law; Early Detection; Medical Management; The Relationship between Health and Stress; Mental Health Interventions; and Death and Dying.

Michael Knox earned his Ph.D. in Community Psychology in 1974 from The University of Michigan. He is a Distinguished Professor at USF and also holds the titles of Professor of Community Mental Health, Professor of Medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine, Professor of Community & Family Health in the College of Public Health, Professor of Psychology, and Director of the USF Center for HIV Education and Research. Dr. Knox, a licensed clinical psychological, is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and the American Psychological Society.


Objectives: Upon completion of this course the student should be able to:

  1. Explain how HIV is transmitted, the origins of the HIV epidemic in the US, and how the epidemic in the US differs from that in the rest of the world.

  2. Discuss the epidemiology of HIV disease.

  3. Apply Centers for Disease Control universal precautions to various settings and situations.

  4. Identify populations in need of HIV-related mental health care and the components of the HIV mental health spectrum.

  5. Identify the ethical issues related to HIV/AIDS and analyze ethical dilemmas in a systematic manner.

  6. Define the legal elements of informed consent related to testing, duty to warn/protect, and other HIV-related issues.

  7. Specify how the Americans with Disabilities Act relates to HIV.

  8. Recognize symptoms of HIV disease and state the benefits of early HIV detection.

  9. Discuss the course of HIV disease and describe approaches to medical management.

  10. Identify psychological stressors and mental health problems associated with HIV infection.

  11. Demonstrate an understanding of the effects of stress on immune functioning.

  12. Discuss appropriate mental health interventions related to HIV/AIDS.

  13. Discuss the terminal aspects of HIV disease and demonstrate an understanding of the therapeutic goals and steps necessary to prepare for death.

  14. Demonstrate an understanding of the resources available in the community, state, and nation related to HIV/AIDS.


Texts: Knox, M.D. and Sparks, C.H.(1998) HIV and Community Mental Healthcare. Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press.

Knox, L.P. and Knox, M.D. (1995) Last Wishes. Berkley, CA: Ulysses Press


Reading List: Reading assignments will be made for most classes. It is important that students read assigned articles and chapters prior to scheduled class discussion.
Class Participation: Participation in class is an important component of this course and the student's final grade. Every student will be responsible for bringing a journal, "current events" article, or editorial each week from a newspaper, news magazine, public health journal, or other source regarding some aspect of HIV. Be prepared to discuss this current information in class with special attention to mental health, behavioral, public health, and/or ethical implications. All assignments and discussions are intended to lead the student towards an educated understanding of HIV/AIDS mental health issues. Students are encouraged to develop a focus early in the semester centering, for example, on a special population or on prevention, treatment, caregiver concerns, law, ethics, etc.

Class Papers: Class assignments are due in class or by e-mail at 11:00 a.m. on the due date. Papers should be double-spaced and typed using a 12 point font. Late papers will not be graded. Class assignments must not summarize articles and chapters reviewed, but instead should discuss, analyze, critique, and react to issues presented. There is no need for a literature review.

The appropriate length for each paper will be discussed in class. Papers longer than the assigned length may not be read. Please choose your words carefully and thoughtfully and consider each paper as an opportunity for improving your writing skills. Avoid redundancy. E-mailed assignments must show the course number as the "subject". Students must keep a hard copy of e-mail submissions to show transmission time and date.

The first paper is due on August 30th. Write a brief commentary on your own background and experiences related to the course topic. List any specific educational goals you have related to HIV. You may designate this paper as confidential by placing that word in the upper right hand corner of each sheet of your paper.

The second paper is due September 18th. Develop an idea for a public health research project related to HIV. Write a "method" section explaining how you would conduct the research and analyze the data.

The third paper is due October 18th. Write a commentary or elaboration on any discussion(s), lecture(s), presentation(s), or reading(s) related to this class. Focus on your own analysis and conclusions regarding the issues considered. Go beyond the class discussion, lectures, reading, etc.

The final paper is due on November 29th . Write a commentary on what (or something) you have learned in this course and how it relates to you personally and/or to your career development. The content should be a presentation of your own logical thought based on the readings and materials discussed in class. You must go beyond the class content in terms of your analysis and conclusions. There is no need for a literature review.

Class Presentations: Pick an HIV/ Mental Health related topic of special interest to you. Research the topic and develop a 15 minute presentation that goes beyond the level or scope of class readings and discussion and the textbook. Focus on behavioral, psychological, or public health issues. Students may collaborate on a topic and share the presentation (adjust time appropriately). The first presentations will begin on September 27th . An overhead and slide projector will be available for student use.

Topics must be approved in advance by Professor Knox.

The second presentations will begin November 27th. Each student must interview someone who is involved in HIV-related work regarding the mental health needs of their clients and the ethical issues involved in their practice. An alternative assignment would be to run a focus group for an "at risk" population, gathering data about this group's knowledge and attitudes regarding HIV and recommendations for preventing the spread of HIV infection. A summary of this "community experience" with analysis and conclusions must be written up and delivered in a 15 minute presentation in class. Be sure to consider behavioral, mental health, public health, and/or ethical implications of what you have learned.

Each student is to select and critique a book of their choice [approved in advance by Dr. Knox], focusing on HIV/AIDS--related issues. The book review will be delivered as a presentation in class and should summarize major points of the work and critique its contribution to scientific and/or clinical literature especially as it relates to HIV/Mental Health issues. This presentation is to be delivered on December 6th .

Attendance: A written excuse from a psychologist or physician will be accepted for absences and late papers. Unexcused absences from class may result in a reduction in letter grade. There will be a sign-up sheet in class to record attendance.

Students who anticipate the necessity of being absent from class due to the observation of a non-religious or religious event/holiday must provide notice of the date(s) to the instructor, in writing, by the second class meeting.

Special Circumstances: If any member of the class has a disability, please advise Professor Knox of the disability and desired accommodation by the first week of class or as soon as you have written documentation. He will work with you to provide reasonable accommodations to assure that you have a fair opportunity to perform in this class.

Grade: The first paper will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis (fail = -5 points). The second and third class papers, exam, and presentations are worth up to 10 points each. Class participation is worth up to 20 points. the final paper is worth up to 20 points. Total points possible is 100. Grades will be allocated as follows:

A+ > 97 C 77-79
A 95-97 C- 74-76
A- 92-94 D+ 71-73
B+ 89-91 D 68-70
B 86-88 D- 65-67
B- 83-85 F < 65
C+ 80-82  


HIV and Mental Healthis designed to challenge you intellectually, to broaden your knowledge, and to teach you to think in new ways. Clear and concise writing and public speaking are part of this challenge. The course is not designed to overwhelm you. If you feel overwhelmed by the assignments, please contact Dr. Knox.

Please be aware that students arenot permitted to take notes in class for remuneration or for the purpose of sale to any person or entity.

To do well in this class it is necessary to:

  1. Attend and participate in class.
  2. Ask questions and take a chance at providing answers, even if you are not sure.
  3. Have a good sense of humor and an open mind. Some of this material can be tough to talk about.
  4. Share your personal experiences and opinions.
  5. Do the reading assignments.
  6. Look for HIV news and share it with the class with special attention to mental health, behavioral, and/or ethical implications.
  7. Complete all assignments on time and to the best of your ability.
  8. Contact Professor Knox if you are having any difficulty.
  9. Review and adhere to the University´s policy on academic dishonesty included in the most current edition of the USF Graduate Catalog.


Schedule: From time to time the following schedule will be adjusted by the instructor. Changes and reading assignments will be announced during classes.

Dates & Topics

(M) Aug. 28 HIV Mental Health Needs and Services
(W) Aug. 30 Stress and Immune Functioning (First Paper Due)

(M) Sep. 4 (Labor Day Holiday) NO CLASS TODAY
(W) Sept. 6 Clinical Manifestations and Treatment - Colloquium

(M) Sept. 11 Mental Health Services
(W) Sept. 13 Early Detection

(M) Sept. 18 Prevention (Second paper due)
(W) Sept. 20 HIV and the Law - Colloquium

(M) Sept. 25 Personal Perspective
( W) Sept. 27 Paper Presentations

(M) Oct. 2 Epidemiology, Transmission, and Infection Control - Colloquium
(W) Oct. 4 Paper Presentations

(M) Oct. 9 Depression
(W) Oct. 11 HIV Mental Health Special Topics

(M) Oct. 16 Ethical Dilemmas
(W) Oct. 18 Cultural Issues (Third paper due)

(M) Oct. 23 Public Health Research
(W) Oct. 25 Topics of Student Interest

(M) Oct. 30 Community Resources and Counseling
(W) Nov. 1 AIDS Dementia

(M) Nov. 6 Exam
(W) Nov. 8 Infection Control

(M) Nov. 13 Preparation for Death
(W) Nov. 15 Death and Dying

(M) Nov. 20 Mental Health Interventions
(W) Nov. 22 HIV Mental Health Special Topics

(M) Nov. 27 Paper Presentations



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