Karl Larson
Faculty
The most important things in life are to be happy and content, and we seem to be our own worst enemies sometimes-----
I have lived under the guise of this statement most of my life, and it has guided me directly into the field of public health. That probably wouldn't surprise anyone who knows me. I find human behavior fascinating, and I find behavior related to health choices even more so.
I completed my Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation, Parks, and Leisure Services in 1989. My first full-time gig was traveling among 4 senior citizen high rise apartment buildings and providing recreational activities. Interestingly, they never really wanted to talk about activities...they wanted to talk about anything related to their health and well-being. It was my first exposure to how imporatnat health was across the lifespan.
I decided to go back to college to get a Master's degree that would allow me to work in the college setting. There is something very much 'alive' about working with college students. I truly love it. I spent six years working in Student Affairs in a myriad of positions including coordination of an academic support program, TRIO program professional, director of orientation programs and probably a few more. I learned quickly that working in student affairs will burn you out...especially if you decide to do it right...and I needed a change, but I didn't want to leave academia.
In 2001 I completed my PhD. in Community Health Education at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. I spent 2 years in the public health sector and 4 years teaching at the University of Southern Indiana before coming to Gustavus in 2005.
So, academically, I focus on human behavior. If you have class with me, I assure you we'll talk about why people make the choices they make. Scholarly, I have written all kinds of different things, from teaching ideas, to 5-year qualitative studies, to textbooks...if you really want to know, come ask me sometime and I'll tell you....
Education
BS, Minnesota State University-Mankato, MSEd & Ph.D., Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Areas of Expertise
Health Behavior, Epidemiology, Stress Management, Sexuality, Alternative Health, and Public Health
Courses Taught
PBH-338 (Intro Epidemiology)
Synonym | Title | Times Taught | Terms Taught |
---|---|---|---|
HES-121 | Tai Chi | 24 | 2014/SP, 2013/FA, 2013/SP, 2012/FA, 2012/SP, 2011/FA, 2010/SP, 2009/FA, 2009/SP, 2008/FA, 2008/SP, and 2007/FA |
HES-100 | Physical Fitness: Conditioning | 14 | 2014/SP, 2011/FA, 2011/SP, 2010/SP, 2009/FA, 2009/SP, 2008/FA, 2007/FA, 2007/SP, 2006/FA, 2006/SP, and 2005/FA |
HES-226 | Community Health Education Theory and Practice | 12 | 2015/SP, 2014/FA, 2014/SP, 2013/FA, 2012/FA, 2011/FA, 2011/SP, 2009/FA, 2008/FA, 2007/FA, 2006/FA, and 2005/FA |
HES-223 | Stress Management | 12 | 2014/SP, 2013/SP, 2012/SP, 2011/SP, 2010/SP, 2009/SP, 2008/SP, 2007/FA, 2007/SP, 2006/FA, 2006/SP, and 2005/FA |
HES-201 | Personal Health | 9 | 2014/SP, 2013/SP, 2012/SP, 2011/SP, 2010/SP, 2009/SP, 2008/SP, 2007/SP, and 2006/SP |
HES-238 | Intro Epidemiology | 8 | 2020/SP, 2019/SP, 2018/SP, 2017/SP, 2016/SP, and 2015/SP |
HES-397 | Seminar in Hlth/Phy Ed | 8 | 2017/SP, 2015/FA, 2014/FA, 2012/FA, 2011/FA, 2008/FA, 2007/FA, and 2006/FA |
FTS-100 | FTS:Living With Stress | 6 | 2014/FA, 2013/FA, 2012/FA, 2009/FA, 2008/FA, and 2007/FA |
HES-230 | Sexuality Education | 6 | 2014/SP, 2013/SP, 2012/SP, 2010/SP, 2008/SP, and 2006/SP |
HES-122 | Relaxation | 6 | 2007/SP, 2006/FA, 2006/SP, and 2005/FA |
HES-211 | Health Behavior | 5 | 2019/FA, 2018/FA, 2016/FA, and 2016/SP |
HES-090 | Major Portfolio | 5 | 2018/SP, 2017/SP, 2016/FA, 2016/SP, and 2015/FA |
HES-236 | Alt Medicine Systems | 4 | 2019/SP, 2018/SP, 2016/SP, and 2015/SP |
HES-227 | Health Prog Planning | 4 | 2018/FA, 2017/SP, 2016/FA, and 2015/FA |
HES-213 | Youth Sport Wellbeing | 4 | 2015/JN, 2013/JN, 2012/JN, and 2007/JN |
HES-229 | School Health Program | 3 | 2013/FA, 2011/FA, and 2009/FA |
HES-302 | Foundations of Sport and Coaching | 3 | 2011/SP, 2009/SP, and 2007/SP |
NUR-253 | Intro Public Health | 2 | 2019/FA and 2019/SP |
HES-212 | Lifespan Development | 2 | 2016/SP and 2015/FA |
HES-268 | Career Exploration | 2 | 2008/JN and 2007/JN |
IDS-244 | ST:Planning for Nobel | 1 | 2020/FA |
IDS-144 | ST:Who Got It Right? | 1 | 2020/FA |
PBH-330 | Health Behavior | 1 | 2020/FA |
PBH-201 | Intro Public Health | 1 | 2020/FA |
HES-225 | Global Health | 1 | 2020/SP |
HES-218 | Foundations of Sport and Coaching | 1 | 2013/FA |
HES-216 | Human Disease/Preventn | 1 | 2012/SP |
HES-315 | Elementary Health Education Content and Methods | 1 | 2008/SP |