HD FS 301 Spring 2007 1 HDFS 301 Values and Ethics in Health and Human Development Professions Spring 2007 Instructor: James M. Kuterbach, M.A. Office Hours: Tuesdays 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM [email protected] and by appointment S110 Henderson 769-6028 Teaching Assistant: Graduate: TBA Email: COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will focus on exposing the student to the ethical principles and dilemmas common in health and human development. We will examine ethical professional conduct in human services and related fields, our personal values, and how our values affect our professional behavior. Performance in problem-solving skills will also be emphasized. Lectures will include and go beyond the material presented in the texts. As such, students are expected to read the book chapters corresponding to that day’s topic prior to class meetings and to attend all classes. Evaluation for this class come from three exams, three take-home assignments, four group assignments, and two papers. Students will also rate their fellow group members’ participation in the group assignments. The three exams will be multiple-choice and true/false, will consist of material from both the lectures and the texts, and are designed to help the student integrate material and think about course content on a deeper level. The take-home assignments will be short answers or essays and will be due during the class following the day the assignment is handed out. The due dates for the papers are listed on the course outline. Group assignments will be completed in class and will involve group evaluations of various topics. The first paper will involve interviewing a helping professional and will be 2-5 pages in length. More information will be provided later in the semester. The final paper will be on a topic of your choosing, but must be within the scope of the class. The paper will be 5-10 pages and may be an in-depth discussion or evaluation of a specific topic presented in class, a comparison of ethical standards of different professions, or another topic dealing with ethics and values (evolution of ethics, youth surveys, multicultural ethics models, etc.). Several journal articles are on the ANGEL website (http://cms.psu.edu) and can be used as a starting point for your paper. If you are unsure whether a topic of your choosing will be acceptable for the paper you should contact the instructor. The paper will be written in APA style. The paper will be a scholarly paper and not simply an opinion. Any resource that you use for the paper must be referenced and cited in the text. If you have questions about APA style, contact the instructor or Graduate TA. In addition, students will be required to attend the Race Relations Project in order to complete this class. The Race Relations Project (RRP) is a peer-facilitated diversity program that employs trained undergraduate students from Penn State to lead small group discussions on topics of race relations relevant to you and the other students participating. Two facilitators from the RRP encourage participants in your group to express their views and experiences on these issues. Because our mission is to expand the multicultural dialogue, our facilitators do not teach or tell you what you should think. Instead, they encourage you to uncover for yourself what you actually think.HD FS 301 Spring 2007 2 RRP programs occur outside of the regular meeting times of your class. Most programs are held in the evenings, although they do have some day time programs throughout the week to accommodate your schedule. For more information on the RRP, visit our website: http://www.racerelationsproject.psu.edu Be aware, the programs for this class will only be offered during specific weeks of the semester. The program for our class will be held from January 23, 2007 to February 12, 2007. One week before the start date you will receive an email explaining how to register for the RRP program. All questions regarding the RRP should be directed to the RRP staff at: http://racerelationsproject.psu.edu. The RRP will be worth 10 points toward your final grade. Each student is expected to arrive for class ON TIME and fully prepared to participate in class discussions. Every student is strongly encouraged to present questions and opinions. In addition, simply being present, attentive, and interested contributes to class atmosphere and dynamics. Only verifiable medical excuses and family emergencies will be accepted for missed assignments. Late assignments will drop a letter grade for each day late. If you missed your scheduled time for the Race Relations Project you must contact project staff in order to complete this requirement. REQUIRED TEXT: Cottone, R. R. & Tarvydas, V. M. (2007). Counseling ethics and decision making (3rd ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Points for the final grade break down as follows: 225 - 240 A 216 - 224 A- 208 - 215 B+ 201 - 207 B 192 - 200 B- 184 - 191 C+ 168 - 183 C 144 - 167 D 143 ↓ F Exams 3 @ 30 = 90 Interview Paper 1 @ 20 = 20 Final Paper 1 @ 40 = 40 Group Assignments 4 @ 10 = 40 Group Ratings 1 @ 10 = 10 Race Relations Project 1 @ 10 = 10 Take-home Assignments 3 @ 10 = 30 Total 240 THE INSTRUCTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY THE COURSE SYLLABUS IF NECESSARY. STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR NOTING THOSE CHANGES.HD FS 301 Spring 2007 3 HDFS Departmental Policy on Student Responsibilities and Classroom Conduct Student Responsibilities and Conduct 1. Students are responsible for attending all classes, taking notes, and obtaining other materials provided by the instructor, taking tests, and completing assignments as scheduled by the instructor. a. Requests for taking exams or submitting assignments after the due dates require documentation of events such as illness, family emergency or a university sanctioned activity. b. Conflicts with dates on which examinations or assignments are scheduled must be discussed with the instructor or TA prior to the date of the exam or assignment. 2. Students are responsible for keeping track of changes in the course syllabus made by the instructor throughout the semester. 3. Students are responsible for monitoring their grades. 4. Students must contact the instructor as soon as possible if they anticipate missing multiple classes due to events such as chronic illnesses,