Program: Certificate in Practical Adult Knowledge and Competence (CPAK)

Credits: 3

Delivery Mode: Hybrid / Online / In-person

Duration: 12 weeks (or 8-week accelerated option)

Prerequisites: None

Instructor Qualifications:

Master’s degree or higher in public health, nutrition, medicine, psychology, or adult education; demonstrated experience in health communication or community health education.

I. Course Description

This course equips adult learners with the essential knowledge and practical tools to understand, evaluate, and manage personal health, nutrition, and wellness in an informed and sustainable way. It develops functional, interactive, and critical health literacy—enabling adults not only to read and interpret health information but to apply it intelligently in daily life.

Students will gain the skills to interpret medical information, evaluate health claims, understand nutrition and lifestyle choices, navigate the healthcare system, and cultivate personal wellness across physical, mental, and emotional dimensions. Emphasis is placed on integration—connecting science, habits, and ethics into a coherent philosophy of lifelong stewardship over one’s body and mind.

II. Rationale

Despite unprecedented access to information, many adults lack the literacy needed to make sound health decisions. They are bombarded by conflicting nutrition advice, online misinformation, and commercial health products but seldom receive education in how to discern credible evidence, manage preventive health, or maintain long-term wellness habits.

This course bridges that gap. It empowers adults to make informed, ethical, and sustainable health choices—replacing confusion and dependency with comprehension, critical judgment, and personal responsibility. It contributes directly to CPAK’s goal of creating self-reliant, informed, and healthy citizens.

III. Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, learners will be able to:

Explain the basic structure and function of the human body and its major systems. Interpret and evaluate health, nutrition, and wellness information critically and accurately. Identify misinformation, pseudoscience, and marketing manipulation in health communication. Read nutrition labels and design balanced, sustainable meal plans. Apply practical strategies for preventive health, stress management, and mental wellness. Navigate healthcare systems, medical instructions, and insurance terminology with confidence. Create a personal health and wellness plan integrating physical, mental, and ethical self-care.

IV. Course Structure and Progression

The course is divided into six thematic units, each lasting approximately two weeks. Each unit combines conceptual learning, applied exercises, and reflective practice.

Unit 1: Understanding Health Literacy in the Modern World (Weeks 1–2)

Focus: The meaning of health literacy and why adults often misunderstand or neglect it. Students assess their current understanding of health, identify barriers, and learn to think systemically about the body.

Key Topics:

Functional, interactive, and critical health literacy Overview of body systems and vital signs Preventive vs. reactive healthcare The adult health literacy gap Building awareness of misinformation

Activities:

Health knowledge self-assessment survey Reading and interpreting sample medical documents Discussion: “What health means to me”

Deliverables:

Reflection Journal #1: My Health Information Journey Quiz: Basic Anatomy and Health Literacy Concepts

Unit 2: Nutrition and Energy Literacy (Weeks 3–4)

Focus: Understanding food as the body’s information system. Students learn to interpret nutrition labels, distinguish fact from marketing, and build balanced diets rooted in understanding, not fad.

Key Topics:

Macronutrients and micronutrients Energy balance, portion control, and nutrient density Food labeling and marketing deception Common dietary myths and misinformation Cultural and economic dimensions of eating

Activities:

Label reading and food comparison exercise Analysis of diet advertisements for misleading claims Workshop: planning a one-week balanced meal plan

Deliverables:

Nutrition Analysis Worksheet Reflection Journal #2: How My Diet Reflects My Understanding of Health

Unit 3: Wellness and Mental Health Literacy (Weeks 5–6)

Focus: Understanding health as a whole-person reality that includes mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Students explore the interplay between stress, sleep, emotion, and physical health.

Key Topics:

Dimensions of wellness: physical, emotional, social, spiritual Mental health basics: anxiety, depression, burnout Stress physiology and management strategies Sleep hygiene and circadian rhythms The mind-body connection

Activities:

Guided mindfulness or breathing exercise Stress-tracking and reflection journal Case study: identifying wellness breakdown in a fictional adult scenario

Deliverables:

Stress and Wellness Self-Assessment Reflection Journal #3: Managing Stress and Energy

Unit 4: Navigating Health Information and Systems (Weeks 7–8)

Focus: Developing critical literacy in evaluating medical, media, and online health content, and learning to communicate effectively within the healthcare system.

Key Topics:

Evaluating sources and identifying pseudoscience Understanding statistics, risk, and probability Communicating with healthcare providers Understanding medical terms, prescriptions, and insurance basics Ethical issues: privacy, consent, and digital health data

Activities:

“Debunk the Claim” exercise using online health misinformation Role-play: communicating with a healthcare professional Workshop on interpreting nutrition, medication, or test labels

Deliverables:

Health Information Evaluation Report Reflection Journal #4: Becoming My Own Advocate in Healthcare

Unit 5: Preventive Health and Lifestyle Management (Weeks 9–10)

Focus: Applying literacy to prevention, self-monitoring, and sustainable habit formation. Students integrate fitness, sleep, and self-care practices into practical routines.

Key Topics:

Preventive screenings and personal health tracking Physical activity and exercise literacy Hydration, rest, and recovery Behavior change and habit formation Balancing motivation, discipline, and grace

Activities:

Create a weekly fitness and rest schedule Design a preventive health checklist Discussion: “The ethics of self-care and moderation”

Deliverables:

Lifestyle Design Project Reflection Journal #5: Building Sustainable Health Habits

Unit 6: Integration and Personal Health Stewardship (Weeks 11–12)

Focus: Synthesizing knowledge and producing a comprehensive personal health and wellness plan. Students articulate a philosophy of health stewardship grounded in literacy, ethics, and responsibility.

Key Topics:

Integration of nutrition, fitness, and mental wellness Lifelong learning in health and science The economics and ethics of self-care Designing personal and family wellness plans

Activities:

Workshop: designing a “Personal Health Dashboard” Peer feedback on capstone portfolios Final presentation of health and wellness plan

Deliverables:

Capstone Project: Personal Health Literacy Portfolio Self-Evaluation Essay: What It Means to Live Intelligently in the Body

V. Teaching and Learning Methods

Instructional Model

The course follows adult learning (andragogical) principles emphasizing reflection, relevance, and autonomy.

Teaching Strategies Include:

Interactive lectures with simplified medical and nutritional explanations Group discussions on real-world health dilemmas Practical workshops (meal planning, label reading, data interpretation) Reflective journaling connecting information to lived experience Problem-based learning projects using real media and healthcare examples

Learning Environment:

Students are encouraged to develop practical fluency rather than memorization—linking knowledge directly to daily decision-making and personal goals.

VI. Assessment and Evaluation

Assessment Component

Weight

Purpose

Reflection Journals (5 total)

15%

Ongoing personal reflection and application

Quizzes and Worksheets

15%

Assess comprehension of foundational knowledge

Nutrition Analysis Project

15%

Apply nutrition literacy to real-world choices

Health Information Evaluation Report

15%

Practice identifying credible vs. false health claims

Lifestyle Design Project

15%

Integrate preventive and wellness strategies

Capstone Project: Personal Health Literacy Portfolio

25%

Synthesize course concepts into a lifelong personal plan

Capstone Portfolio Components:

Personal health and wellness plan Preventive care and nutrition strategy Stress and wellness reflections Ethical health philosophy statement

VII. Learning Materials

Primary Text:

Health, Nutrition, and Wellness Literacy for Adults: A Guide to Living Intelligently in the Body (Torah University Press).

Supplementary Readings:

Michael Pollan, In Defense of Food Peter Attia, Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity Daniel Kahneman, Thinking, Fast and Slow (for risk and decision literacy) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Dietary Guidelines for Americans CDC and NIH open educational resources on preventive health Selected academic and journalistic readings on wellness culture and misinformation

VIII. Accessibility and Support

All readings and exercises provided in accessible digital and print formats. Captioned video lectures and transcripts available for online sections. Optional workshops in numeracy, nutrition, and stress management. Confidential support for students applying wellness concepts in personal health journeys.

IX. Evaluation of Course Effectiveness

The course will undergo ongoing review through:

Pre- and post-assessments of health literacy confidence. Analysis of capstone project quality and practical applicability. Student feedback on perceived impact on lifestyle and understanding. Annual faculty peer review of content relevance and accuracy.

X. Implementation Timeline

Pilot Launch: Spring 2027 (Hybrid format) Revision and Review: Fall 2027 Full Integration: Spring 2028 within the CPAK program

Cluster Alignment:

This course aligns with:

Communication, Media, and Digital Literacy (PAK 105) — for evaluating health communication and misinformation Critical Thinking and Logic (PAK 104) — for evidence analysis Civic and Legal Literacy (PAK 102) — for healthcare policy and consumer rights Together they comprise the Personal and Social Well-Being Cluster of the CPAK certificate.

XI. Sample Assignments

Health Communication Analysis: Compare two health articles—one evidence-based and one sensationalized—and explain differences in logic, framing, and credibility. Nutrition Diary and Reflection: Track meals for one week, analyze nutrient balance, and identify areas for realistic improvement. Stress Tracking Journal: Record and evaluate stress triggers and coping mechanisms over ten days. Provider Communication Role-Play: Practice questioning and clarifying information with a healthcare professional. Personal Wellness Plan: Design a 30-day implementation schedule integrating diet, rest, activity, and mental health practices. Capstone Portfolio: Present a cohesive, evidence-informed lifelong health stewardship plan.

XII. Grading Scale

Percentage

Grade

Descriptor

90–100%

A

Excellent mastery and reflective integration

80–89%

B

Strong understanding with solid application

70–79%

C

Competent performance with some gaps

60–69%

D

Minimal achievement of learning outcomes

<60%

F

Insufficient demonstration of understanding or effort

XIII. Institutional and Civic Impact

This course advances CPAK’s mission to educate competent, reflective, and ethical adults by fostering physical stewardship, emotional stability, and critical discernment. Graduates of PAK 106 will be able to:

Interpret health information with accuracy and skepticism. Resist misinformation and pseudoscience. Manage personal and family health proactively. Model balance, moderation, and wellness ethics in community life.

In essence: this course restores health knowledge to its proper place—not as a specialist discipline, but as the foundation of an intelligent, responsible, and purposeful life.