Syllabus

Schedule

Schedule

Week One:	10/26 – 11/2
Week Two:	11/2 – 11/9
Week Three:	11/9 – 11/16
Week Four:	11/16 – 11/23
Week Five:	11/23 – 11/30
Week Six:	11/30 – 12/7
Week Seven:	12/7 – 12/14
Week Eight:	12/14 – 12/18

Weekly Calendar

Week 1: Oct 26 – Nov 2

Introduction to Public Health Law and Ethics

Objective: 

• Describe the framework of the U.S. legal system and the intersection of public health law and ethics. 

Lecture: 

• Introduction to Public Health Law and Ethics

Readings:

• Gostin: Preface and ch 1
• Wiens C. What role should government play in combating obesity? The Wall Street Journal. April 21, 2013. Accessed August 25, 2016.
• Glossary of Legal Terms

Assignment: 

Introduction

Week 2: Nov 2 – 9

Public Health Ethics: Introduction to ethical principles, analytic framework and case study approach

Objectives:

• Describe the relevance of ethical principles and the application of such principles in public health practice and administration.
• Identify and address existing and emerging ethical concerns in public health practice and administration. 

Lecture:

• Public Health Ethics

Readings: 

• Gostin: Ch 2
• Coughlin: Ch 1, 12, 17
• Kass NE. An ethics framework for public health. American Journal of Public Health. 2001;19(11): 1776-1782.
• Roberts MJ, Reich MR. Ethical analysis in public health. Lancet. 2002;359: 1055-1059.
• Public Health Leadership Society. Principles of the Ethical Practice of Public Health. 2002. 
• Thomas SB, Quinn SC. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study, 1932 to 1972: Implications for HIV Education and AIDS risk education programs in the black community. American Journal of Public Health. 1991;81(11): 1498-1505.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Tuskegee Timeline. http://www.cdc.gov/tuskegee/timeline.htm. Updated February 19, 2016. Accessed August 25, 2016.

Assignment:

Forum Discussion

• Original Contribution:  Thomas writes about the lasting effects of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study on the credibility of public health in the black community. What public health laws and policies help or hinder this effort? Due Sunday by 11:59 PM

Public Health Duties, Powers, and the Protection of Individual Rights

Objectives:

• Describe the framework of the U.S. legal system and the intersection of public health and ethics.
• Discuss the complex legal, economic, social, and ethical considerations associated with various public health issues.
• Describe and assess conflicts between government interests in public health and individual interests in liberty.
• Interpret and present a pertinent legal and ethical analysis of public health issues through written and oral communications. 

Lecture:

• Public Health Law Introduction

Readings:

• Gostin: Ch 3, 4 
• Greenhouse L. A second chance for Joshua. New York Times. June 17, 2010. Accessed June 30, 2016. 
• Mariner, WK, Annas GJ, Glantz LH. Jacobson v. Massachusetts: It’s not your great-great-grandfather’s public health law. American Journal of Public Health. 2005;95(4):581-590.
• Parmet WE. After September 11: Rethinking public health federalism. The Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics. 2002;30(2):201-211.
• Jacobson v. Massachusetts 197 US 11 – Supreme Court 1905. Accessed June 30, 2016.

Assignment: 

Forum Discussion: Jacobson v. Massachusetts

• Original Contribution: The case of Jacobson v. Massachusetts, decided in 1905, is one of the hallmark public health law decisions. Do you think the court’s ruling remains relevant today? Why or why not? Is the court’s opinion regarding mandatory smallpox vaccination applicable to non-communicable disease public health laws? Due Sunday by 11:59 PM
• Response Post: Please respond to the original contribution of at least one colleague. Draw on prior learning and the insights you gleaned from your initial reading, your initial analysis, and your colleague’s comments. Due Wednesday by 11:59 PM

Forum Discussion: Deshaney v. Winnebago

• Original Contribution: Do you agree with the majority or the dissent in Deshaney v. Winnebago? Why? If the government acts to establish a protective agency, should citizens have a reasonable expectation that they can rely on that agency to safeguard their health and safety? Why or why not? Due Sunday by 11:59 PM
• Response Post: Please respond to the original contribution of at least one colleague. Draw on prior learning and the insights you gleaned from your initial reading, your initial analysis, and your colleague’s comments. Due Wednesday by 11:59 PM

Ethical Case Study Written Analysis 

• Using the results of Week 2’s group discussion about your ethical case study, write your own individual analysis. Clearly identify both the assigned case study and the ethical framework used; briefly discuss the dilemma, stakeholders, actions, and consequences; discuss your own response to the questions associated with the case; and offer recommendations. Due Wednesday by 11:59 PM

Week 4: Nov 16 – 23 

Public Health Governance/Tort Law and the Public Health

Objectives:

• Describe the framework of the U.S. legal system and the intersection of public health law and ethics.
• Discuss the regulatory environment that governs and influences public health.
• Discuss the complex legal, economic, social, and ethical considerations associated with various public health issues. 
• Describe and assess conflicts between government interests in public health and individual interests in liberty.
• Interpret and present pertinent legal and ethical analysis of public health issues through written and oral communications.

Lecture:

• Public Health Governance

Readings:

• Gostin: Ch 5, 6
• Mello MM, Studdert DM, Brennan TA. Obesity – The new frontier of public health law. New England Journal of Medicine. 2006; 354(24):2601-2610.
• Murtagh L, Ludwig DS. State intervention in life-threatening childhood obesity. American Medical Association. 2011;306(2):206-207.
• King, A. King renews push to curb gun violence in America [Video]. YouTube. Published October 8, 2015. Accessed June 30, 2016.
• District of Columbia et al v Heller 554 US – Supreme Court 2008. Accessed June 30, 2016.

Assignment: 

Forum Discussion: Ethical Use of State Powers

• Original Contribution: As discussed in this week’s readings, some states have decided to intervene in the cases of morbidly obese children. Is this an appropriate and ethical use of state police powers? Is it good public policy? Why or why not? Due Sunday by 11:59 PM
• Response Post: Please respond to the original contribution of at least one colleague. Draw on prior learning and the insights you gleaned from your initial reading, your initial analysis, and your colleague’s comments. Due Wednesday by 11:59 PM 

Forum Discussion: District of Columbia v Heller

• Original Contribution:  In the case of District of Columbia v. Heller, the U.S. Supreme Court found the gun control laws enacted by the District of Columbia to be unconstitutional (see text pp. 155-160). Do you agree with the majority or the dissent(s) in this case? Why? What types of gun control legislation might be deemed to be constitutional, and what public health arguments could be made the next time this issue comes before the courts? Due Sunday by 11:59 PM
• Response Post: Please espond to the original contribution of at least one colleague. Draw on prior learning and the insights you gleaned from your initial reading, your initial analysis, and your colleague’s comments. Due Wednesday by 11:59 PM

Looking Ahead to Week 5: Legal Analysis Paper 1

• Legal Analysis Paper 1 is due at the end of Week 5. If you haven’t already, it is recommended that you read the case of Benning v. Vermont. It is also recommended that you begin reviewing the assignment this week; it can be accessed in the Week 5 folder. 

Week 5: Nov 23 – 30

Surveillance and Public Health Research: Privacy and the “Right to Know”

Lecture:

• Surveillance and Public Health Research

Student Resources

Online Student Support

Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.

Questions? Visit the Student Support Public Health page

UNE Libraries:

• Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Brightspace.
• Public Health Databases: https://library.une.edu/library-materials/find/research-by-subject/public-health/
• Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.

UNE Student Academic Success Center

UNE's Student Academic Success Center (SASC) offers a range of free online services to support your academic achievement. Writing support, ESOL support, study strategy and learning style consultations, as well as downloadable resources, are available to all matriculating students. The SASC also offers tutoring for GPH 712 Epidemiology, GPH 716 Biostatistics, GPH 717 Applied Epidemiology, GPH 718 Biostatistics II, and GPH 719 Research Methods. To make an appointment for any of these services, go to une.tutortrac.com. For more information and to view and download writing and studying resources, please visit:

• UNE Student Academic Success Center

Information Technology Services (ITS)

• ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673

Accommodations

Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.

Online Peer Support

Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.

Information Technology Services (ITS)

Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.

ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.

Career Ready Program

The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!

The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.

Policies

AMA Writing Style Statement

The American Medical Association Manual (AMA) of Style, 11th edition is the required writing format for this course. Additional support for academic writing and AMA format is provided throughout the coursework as well as at the UNE Portal for Online Students.

Online resources: AMA Style Guide

Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool

The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.

Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in APA citation and academic writing.

You can learn more about Turnitin in the guide on how to navigate your Similarity Report.

Technology Requirements

Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements

Course Evaluation Policy

Course surveys are one of the most important tools that University of New England uses for evaluating the quality of your education, and for providing meaningful feedback to instructors on their teaching. In order to assure that the feedback is both comprehensive and precise, we need to receive it from each student for each course. Evaluation access is distributed via UNE email at the beginning of the last week of the course.

Late Policy

Students are responsible for submitting work by the date indicated in Brightspace.

Quizzes and Tests: Quizzes and tests must be completed by the due date. They will not be accepted after the due date.

Assignments: Unless otherwise specified, assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.

Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.

Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.

Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures

The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.

Student Handbook

UNE Course Withdrawal

Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.

Academic Integrity

The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit https://www.une.edu/studentlife/plagiarism.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
4. Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
5. Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations.  Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final.  Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.

Attendance Policy

8 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.

16 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.

Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures

The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.

UNE Online Student Handbook

UNE Course Withdrawal

Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.

Academic Integrity

The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
4. Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
5. Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.