Course Syllabus

SYLLABUS FOR PHI 280-7431 (3 credits)
Lake Land College
Aug. 19-Oct. 11, 2024 (online class)

Welcome to Health Care Ethics!

My name is Tara Blaser and I am your instructor (please call me Tara).

 CONTACT INFORMATION:

Office Hours: My office is in NW 6 and my office hours are Mondays from 10:30am-2:30pm, and I have 3 more hours that are not time specific when I answer emails each college day.

You must use Canvas e-mail anytime you wish to email me. Furthermore, if you e-mail Friday afternoon or during the weekend, please understand that you will not hear back from me until Monday. 

  

REQUIRED SUPPLIES:

1. A computer. Canvas does not reliably support phones and tablets, so even if you have the app, you must stick with using a laptop or a desktop computer to complete assignments. Consequently, please note that you are NOT permitted to use your phone or tablet in this class for anything aside from checking email.

2. Reliable internet. It is your responsibility to meet all deadlines, so you must have a backup plan for what to do if your internet connection goes down.

 

3. We do not have a book for this class, so it will be important for you to work through all of the material that in each module. If you were given a book by the bookstore, please return it. 

 

CLASSROOM LOCATION:

This is an online class, so everything for the course will take place on Canvas.

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Introduction to issues and theories of ethics.  Includes historical survey of major value systems and specialized application to contemporary issues.

This course is contextualized for health care ethics, so everything is related to medical ethics. 

 

FINAL EXAM

You will find the final exam schedule here.

Since this is an online course, you will not be required to come to campus for a final exam.

 

SPECIFIC COURSE INFORMATION

1. You will have access to all assignments immediately, so you are more than welcome to work ahead. YAY!!! Please understand that I will not grade assignments until after the posted due date, though, so even if you work ahead, you will be graded with the rest of the class.
2. Late work will be docked 20% per day. 
   The canvas clock will determine whether or not work is late, and this is non-negotiable. As a result, please get work submitted early and be careful not to run up against the deadline, just in case you experience difficulties submitting each assignment. That way, you can earn maximum points.
3. It is your responsibility to be sure I have received all assignments through the assignment button (attachments). Technological problems do arise, but it is your responsibility to meet all deadlines, regardless of any problems. Any technological problems that are not directly Lake Land College's fault are your responsibility. You must have a back-up plan for how to complete and submit assignments in case you have a technological issue. If, however, Lake Land College is responsible for a technology failure (ex: the server is down), I will make appropriate accommodations for the class. Again, direct technological questions to 217-234-5261.
   PLEASE NOTE: When you submit assignments, you can immediately click on the attachment and view exactly what I can view. Consequently, I will NOT check it for you for send confirmation that I have received your assignment. 
   
4. Quizzes will be given for some topics.  To help you, I have videos, so please play them and pay attention. YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO USE YOUR NOTES DURING THE QUIZZES. Additionally, be aware that when you click on the quiz, you must take the quiz at that time - you cannot begin and then pause or come back later. When you are taking each quiz, it may seem like more than one answer is correct. Please remember that you must select the "most correct" answer. Some responses may contain a partially correct answer. Again, you must select the response that contains the "most correct" answer.  Please note that missed quizzes cannot be completed for credit. 
5. The paper assignment will be a case study to examine based on information you will learn prior to the assignment. Please understand that you must submit the paper through the assignment button or it will not be accepted.  If you are confused about submitting assignments, then you will need to contact the nice Lake Land computer folks at 217-234-5261 for help. 

6. You may NOT use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in this course. If you use AI,  it's a no-go and counts as cheating, which unfortunately means you'll bite the dust on that assignment and earn a zero if you use it. We're all about learning here, instead of shortcuts. Remember, if you've got any doubts about using AI, just give me a shout. Let's keep it fair, square, and AI-aware.

GRADE BREAKDOWN

            100%-90% = A 

            89%-80% = B

           79%-70% = C

            69%-60% = D

            59% and below = F

You will be tentatively be graded based on the following criteria. Assignments may be added to or subtracted from the list below:

1.) Paper - 3 parts, each worth 50 points

2.) Quizzes - ranging from 5-20 points

3.) Assignments - ranging from 5-20 points

Please note: I will not discuss a grade with you once that grade has been posted beyond one week. Consequently, if you have any questions or concerns about a grade, you must get in touch with me within a week after I have posted that grade.

  

HOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS CLASS

1. Begin each module every Monday morning.
2. Work through each module.
   3. Submit assignments on time (before Monday mornings at 11am).
   4. Contact the Canvas Help Desk if you have tech problems (217-234-5261). 

5. Spend at least 3 hours/day on this class. For any full semester 3 credit course, a college student is expected to spend 9 hours a week working on that particular class. Since we are an accelerated class (2 month instead of 4 months), then you need to keep up by putting in the work every single day.
6. Read all assignments and take notes.
7. Ask for help if you are confused or stuck.

 

 

Grading Rubric for Writing Assignments
You will be graded based on this rubric:

“A” level writing meets all of the following criteria:

• Writing thoughtfully and thoroughly responds to the prompt
• Writing is well-articulated with no unnecessary information
• Writing leaves no questions in the reader’s mind because it is fully developed
• Writing is free of grammar, spelling, and formatting issues
• Writing utilizes proper MLA or APA citations, with none missing and no mistakes

 

“B” level writing meets or exceeds all of the following criteria:

• Writing thoughtfully and thoroughly responds to the prompt
• Writing is well-articulated with little unnecessary information
• Writing leaves few questions in the reader’s mind because it is well developed
• Writing has few grammar, spelling, and formatting issues
• Writing utilizes proper MLA or APA citations, with none missing and few mistakes

 

“C” level writing meets or exceeds all of the following criteria:

• Writing responds to the prompt
• Writing contains some unnecessary information
• Writing leaves questions in the reader’s mind because it is not fully developed, but it does meet the minimum length requirements
• Writing has some grammar, spelling, and formatting issues, but not enough to hinder the reading of the text
• Writing utilizes proper MLA or APA citations, with none missing and few mistakes

 

“D” level writing contains one or more of the following:

• Writing does not respond to the prompt
• Writing is not well-articulated and contains unnecessary information
• Writing leaves a lot of questions in the reader’s mind, is under-developed, and/or does not meet the minimum length requirements
• Writing has grammar, spelling, and formatting issues that hinder the reading of the text
• Writing does not utilize proper MLA or APA citations, with some missing and/or containing mistakes

“F” level writing contains one or more of the following:

• Writing does not respond to the prompt
• Writing is not well-articulated and contains unnecessary information
• Writing leaves a lot of questions in the reader’s mind, is under-developed, and/or does not meet the minimum length requirements
• Writing has grammar, spelling, and formatting issues that hinder the reading of the text
• Writing does not utilize proper MLA or APA citations, with many missing and/or containing mistakes
• Writing contains AI produced work that was not authorized by the teacher
• Writing contains work produced by anyone, or AI, and is not properly cited

Please note that lack of citations is plagiarism and means that you automatically earn a zero. Consequently, please make sure to provide proper MLA or APA citations.

 

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY ISSUES 

If you engage in any type of academic dishonesty, such as cheating or plagiarism, you will fail the class and be reported to V.P. Lynch for further disciplinary action. Plagiarism is the presenting of others’ ideas as if they were your own. When you write an essay, create a project, or create anything original, it is assumed that all the work is yours, except for that which is attributed to another author or creator. Consequently, it is extremely important to provide credit when you use any words or ideas from another person, even if you put the information into your own words. Examples of academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to:

• paraphrasing the work of another, including AI, and not giving credit to that source
• copying word-for-word from another source, including AI, and not giving that source credit
• submitting an assignment that you copied from the internet or AI (partially or whole)
• submitting an assignment that someone else, including AI, wrote (partially or whole) 
• having someone else, including AI, do your homework for you (partially or whole)
• receiving help from a friend or elsewhere, including AI, to complete an assignment
• giving an assignment to someone else after you have completed it
• giving answers to someone else during or after you have taken a quiz
• using answers from someone else before or during a quiz
• using the book, notes, AI, or internet during a quiz
• using another project as your own
• using an image or a copy of an image with crediting its source

[Adapted from the Modern Language Association’s MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. New York: MLA, 1995: 26.]

You are required to cite all sources that you use in this class, so be sure to do so whenever you reference something/someone other than yourself. These citations include class notes and books. Otherwise, you will be plagiarizing, which is academic dishonesty. In such cases, you will fail the class and be reported to V.P. Lynch for further disciplinary action.

Here is Lake Land College's Academic Integrity Policy.

 

STUDENT CONDUCT

You are expected to behave in a professional manner, which means you should not be rude, threatening, or harassing. If you behave in such a manner, disciplinary actions will be taken.

Here is Lake Land College's Student Code of Conduct. 

  

Everyone has issues at one point or another in life.

Lake Land College has services that may be able to help you.

 

Office of Student Accommodations - http://www.lakelandcollege.edu/ss/spn/index.cfm (Links to an external site.)
Lake Land College is committed to providing a quality educational experience to all students. As such, Lake Land provides academic support services for students who have a documented disability. Find out if you qualify and get support at this office.

 

Financial Aid Office - http://www.lakeland.cc.il.us/ss/fa/ (Links to an external site.)  (Links to an external site.)
Get financial aid information and questions answered at this office.

 

Foundation Office (scholarships) - https://www.lakelandcollege.edu/scholarship-opportunities/
Find out what kinds of scholarships you can apply for and get those applications at this office.

 

TRiO - http://www.lakelandcollege.edu/ss/trio/index.cfm (Links to an external site.)
TRiO is funded by the U.S. Department of Education to help students complete their academic goals and graduate from Lake Land College. The TRiO counselors and advisors work with each student individually, providing and connecting students with a wide variety of support services, events and activities. TRiO provides one-on-one meetings with staff, informative workshops, and access to educational, social and cultural opportunities available only to TRiO participants. All of TRiO services are free to eligible students. 

 

Veteran Programs - https://www.lakeland.cc.il.us/ss/fa/veterans.cfm (Links to an external site.)
The Veterans' Office is located in the Financial Aid Office. You are welcome to stop by to ask what services are available to veterans or you can contact Danielle Downs in the Financial Aid & Veteran Services Office at (217) 234-5255.     

 

Laker Food Pantry - https://www.lakelandcollege.edu/laker-food-pantry/
With support from the Lake Land College Foundation and its partnership with the Eastern Illinois Foodbank, Lake Land College is working to end food insecurity and hunger among our students and their families. If you are a Lake Land College student, it is easy to obtain food through the Laker Food Pantry. Ask a teacher for help OR complete the Shopping List linked in the Pantry site. Food is available for same-day pick-up at the pantry or for next-day delivery to another location on campus.

 

Tutoring Center - http://www.lakelandcollege.edu/ss/lc/tutorread.cfm (Links to an external site.)
Get tutoring and other help at this office.

 

Lake Land College Early Advantage Program (LEAP) -  https://www.lakelandcollege.edu/counseling-services/leap/
This program is free, voluntary, and confidential. The Lake Land College Early Advantage Program (LEAP) identifies services on campus that might be beneficial to achieving success in courses for which the student is struggling.  Students can join the program themselves or ask a teacher to enroll them. 

 

Safe Zone - Safe Zone was created by the Inclusion & Diversity Education Task Force to address the concerns of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and ally community at Lake Land College and the surrounding area. Safe Zone is a way to reach out to these students and welcome them in all areas of the LLC community. Safe Zones are areas on and around campus where supportive people provide information and work toward the elimination of myths, misconceptions, and stereotypes. Safe Zones are identified by this logo:
                             

Fitness Center - http://www.lakeland.cc.il.us/ss/fit/ (Links to an external site.)
Use this facility to work out.

 

Mental Health Services - https://www.lakelandcollege.edu/counseling-services/crisis-and-community-resources/
Find more offices to help through this link.

 

 

GEN ED GOALS:

Critical Thinking: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to apply critical thinking skills through:

1. Analyzing data and arguments and through transferring insights to new contexts

Foundational Knowledge: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate foundational knowledge in ethics.

 

COURSE OUTCOMES:

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

• Approach ethical dilemmas analytically
• Understand concepts of social and civic responsibility
• Understand the impact of values and beliefs on societal dynamics

 

IAI COURSE DESCRIPTION

IAI H4904 : Ethics (3 semester credits) - A study of the principal ethical theories and concepts of human conduct and character, as well as a critical evaluation of these theories and concepts as they apply to particular moral problems and decisions.

 

I recommend that you print this page, or at least remember that it is here for future reference because you are held responsible for all policies and deadlines, even in the event that your internet connection isn't reliable. 
 

Below is a list of due dates for the course, but you will also find this information within each section's module.