City University of Hong Kong Information on Proposed Gateway Education Course offered by Department of Biology and Chemistry with effect from Semester B in 2012 / 2013 Part I Course Title: Mind, Body and Energy Course Code: Course Duration: GE1328 One Semester Proposed Area: (Please insert 1 for the single primary area, and 2 for the secondary area if applicable. Students will only earn credit units from the primary area.) 2 Arts and Humanities Study of Societies, Social and Business Organisations 1 Science and Technology No. of Credit Units: 3 Level: B1 Medium of Instruction: English Medium of Assessment: English Prerequisites: (Course Code and Title) Nil Precursors: (Course Code and Title) Nil Equivalent Courses: (Course Code and Title) generally none Exclusive Courses: (Course Code and Title) Nil Part II 1. Abstract The course will introduce the psychological and cultural origins and the biological principles of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM; including acupuncture and related therapies, mind-body medicine, energy medicine, and herbal medicine). The students will discover the relationship between essential physiological functions of the human body and the brain, and how the beneficial effects of CAM may be 1
studied using modern biomedical technologies. The students will also explore through the latest clinical and basic research on complementary and alternative medicines to establish a link between mind, body and energy. The course will also provide students from and of different disciplines and backgrounds with an understanding of the multidisciplinary and cross-cultural nature of complementary and alternative medicines. Lectures will be supplemented with demonstrations and hands-on learning sessions. 2. Course Aims This course describes the psychological and cultural origins, the biological basis, and the clinical efficacy of the major modalities of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). Emphasis is on critical examination of the current status of research on herbal medicine, mind-body medicine, energy medicine, acupuncture, and manipulative therapies. In addition to lectures, students will have the opportunities to view demonstrations of the different modalities and to learn some of the basic techniques of mind-body practices and manipulative therapies. The students will also gain an understanding of essential physiological functions of the human body and how these functions are controlled through mind-body-energy interactions. The beneficial effects of CAM will be discussed based on the latest clinical and basic research using modern biomedical technologies. The students will be able to develop an understanding of CAM based on the inter-relationship between mind, body and energy, and the social, cultural, economic, political, and psychological impacts of CAM. 3. Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs) Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to: No. CILOs Weighting (if applicable) 1. Explain the psychological and cultural origins, 30% the biological basis, and the clinical efficacy of the major modalities of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). 2. Describe the essential physiological functions of 25% the human body and how these functions are controlled through mind-body-energy interactions. 3. Evaluate the beneficial effects of CAM and how 25% these effects are studied using modern biomedical technology. 4. Critically examine the current status of research on herbal medicine, mind-body medicine, energy medicine, acupuncture, and manipulative therapies. 20% 2
4. Teaching and Learning Activities (TLAs) (designed to facilitate students achievement of the CILOs - Some TLAs may address more than one CILO.) TLA CILO No. Hours/week (if applicable) The lecturers will explore the major areas of Complementary and Alternative Medicine 1-4 (CAM) with an emphasis on critical examination of the current status of research on herbal medicine, mind-body medicine, energy medicine, acupuncture, and manipulative therapies. The students will view demonstrations of the 2-3 different areas of CAM, learn some of the basic techniques of mind-body practices and manipulative, hands-on therapies, and engage in interactive scenario analysis relevant to health/medical issues. The students will form groups to carry out 1-4 research on the current scientific literature on CAM, and discuss and present their findings on the psychological and cultural backgrounds and the medicinal effects of different types of CAM originating from different cultures. 5. Assessment Tasks/Activities (designed to assess how well the students achieve the CILOs Some assessment tasks/activities may address more than one CILO.) Type of Assessment Tasks/Activities CILO No. Weighting (if applicable) Interactive classroom activities will take 1-4 25% place where the students will be asked questions on the topics discussed during the lectures and follow the instructor to learn some of the basic techniques of mind-body practices. Feedbacks will be channeled back to students during the interactive process. The students will work in groups (4-5 1-4 25% students per group) and carry out research on topics selected by the group with the consent of the instructor, and present their findings to their classmates towards the end of the semester. Feedbacks will be channeled back to students during the research process and during the presentations. The end-of-course examination will test the 1-4 50% student s abilities to critically evaluate the cultural, psychological, and biological basis of complementary and alternative medicine. Remarks 3
Feedbacks will be channeled back to students in the form of the examination marks. 6. Grading of Student Achievement: Refer to Grading of Courses in the Academic Regulations. Grading will be based on students performance in assessment tasks/activities. Allocation of marks will be as follows: Coursework 50% (including participation in classroom activities and student group presentations); Examination (2 hrs), 50%. Letter Grade A+ A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D F Grading criteria in relation to CILOs Strong evidence of being able to apply and incorporate knowledge acquired during the course in the understanding, presentation and critique of the biology of integrated medicine. Shows innovative and original thinking; good organization, good oral and written communication of academic concepts and ideas; able to ask pertinent and challenging questions. Superior grasp of subject matter; evidence of extensive knowledge base. Sufficient evidence of being able to apply and incorporate knowledge acquired during the course in the understanding, presentation and critique of the biology of integrated medicine. Some evidence of effective oral and written communication of scientific concepts and ideas; some evidence of grasp of subject matter; reasonable understanding of issues; evidence of familiarity with the academic literature. Some evidence of grasp of the subject matter; reasonable understanding of issues; evidence of familiarity with the academic literature. Sufficient familiarity with the subject matter to enable the student to progress without repeating the course. Shows signs of any plagiarism. Little evidence of familiarity with the subject matter; weakness in critical and analytical skills; limited or irrelevant use of literature. Absence in more than 50% of lectures and tutorials. Part III Keyword Syllabus Each topic listed below will be presented for two weeks of lecture/tutorial, with the remaining weeks of the semester used for student presentations. I. Comparison of Complementary and Alternative Medicine with Western Medicine. 4
Health behaviour as determined by social, cultural, economic, political, and psychological factors. History, principles and practice of the medical systems of Traditional Chinese Medicine and other Complementary and Alternative Medicines from different cultures. How traditional Chinese medicine and health practices is influenced by philosophical Taoism. Principles of Western Evidence-Based Medicine and challenges in applying them to research on Complementary and Alternative Medicine, especially with respect to placebo effects, blinding methods, randomization of subjects, and complex composition of botanical/herbal medicine. II. Acupuncture and Related Therapies. Principles and practices of acupuncture and related therapies. Disorders recognized by the National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization as most treatable by acupuncture. The role of the nervous system in acupuncture effects and the activation of specific brain regions by acupuncture. III. Mind/Body/Energy Medicine. Effects of physical and mental stress on the nervous system, the immune system, and energy metabolism, and how mind-body practices restore balance in these systems. Clinical studies on the beneficial effects of mind-body practices such as Qigong, Tai Chi, Yoga, and meditation on mind-body functions. Electromagnetic energy emitted from the human body measured by modern biomedical technologies and effects of electromagnetic fields on cellular functions. U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA)-approved electrotherapy devices for promoting wound healing. IV. Manipulative Therapies. The relationship between different Eastern manipulative therapies (e.g., acupoint massage, Shiatsu, Tui Na) and Western modalities such as chiropractic, osteopathy, and physical therapy. Beneficial effects of such therapies explained on the basis of the physiology of bones, muscles, tendons, and the nervous system. V. Herbal Medicine. 5
Differences between botanical-herbal products/dietary supplements and Western medicine/drugs as defined by the FDA. Biological basis of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory herbal medicine. Herbal medicine for lowering risks for cardiovascular diseases and cancer. VI. Integration of Eastern and Western Medicine Shifting of the Western medical paradigm of single-drug/single target approach to the Eastern multi-drug/multi-target strategy. Western trends towards individualized medicine. Integration of evidence-based Eastern therapies with Western medicine in treating complex diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Leading examples of the practice of Integrative Medicine in the U.S. and in China. Social impacts, implications, benefits and limitations of the CAM. Recommended Reading: Text(s): Fundamentals of Complementary and Alternative Medicine By Marc S. Micozzi MD PhD Publisher: Saunders; 4th Edition (April 15, 2010) Integrative Medicine: Principles for Practice [Hardcover] By Benjamin Kligler, Roberta Lee Publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional; 1st Edition (April 2, 2004) Online Resources: http://nccam.nih.gov/ Official website for the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), the US Government s lead agency for scientific research on the diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine. http://www.med.umich.edu/umim/ University of Michigan Integrative Medicine, an interdisciplinary program, is committed to the thoughtful and compassionate integration of complementary therapies and conventional medicine through the activities of research, education, clinical services and community partnerships. As a healing-oriented approach to medical care, integrative medicine takes into account the whole person (body, mind, spirit and emotion), including all aspects of lifestyle. http://www.mdanderson.org/education-and-research/resources-for-professionals/clinic al-tools-and-resources/cimer/index.html The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Complementary/Integrative Medicine Education Resources (CIMER) Web site is dedicated to providing educational resources to health care professionals and patients regarding the current understanding of complementary medicine and, where appropriate, to assist in the integration of these medicines and therapies with conventional treatments. Our intention is to provide evidence-based information to improve the lives of patients who choose to use these therapies under the direction of informed physicians. 6