Syllabus
Undergraduate Programs
HLTH 1040: Ethical Foundations in Healthcare
Credits - 3
Description
This course focuses on ethical theories & their application within healthcare, addressing key topics like patient autonomy, professional ethics, and best practices to prepare students for moral decision-making in the healthcare setting. Essential for students in healthcare-related fields, this course will enhance understanding of ethical dilemmas they may encounter professionally, fostering a culture of integrity and empathy within various medical and public health scenarios.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Apply key ethical theories and principles to better understand and respond to real-world situations in healthcare.
- Explain patient rights, confidentiality, and ethical considerations in the professional healthcare setting.
- Apply ethical decision-making models to dilemmas in healthcare settings and propose thoughtful, well-supported solutions.
- Demonstrate ethical decision-making skills that show professionalism, respect for others, and awareness of different perspectives in healthcare in a variety of settings, both personal and professional.
Assignments
For all assessments and learning activities, see Brightspace for the full assignment descriptions and instructions. Read the prompts carefully and use the rubrics to confirm how assignments and discussions will be graded.
Weekly Discussions (Weeks 1–8)
Each week includes a discussion prompt exploring ethical issues in healthcare, including confidentiality, resource allocation, euthanasia, professional values, mandatory vaccinations, and emerging technologies. Unless otherwise specified, initial posts are due Saturdays by 11:59 pm ET; responses to at least two peers are due Tuesdays by 11:59 pm ET.
Ethics in Action Reflection Journals (Weeks 2-7)
Reflective journal prompts connect ethical principles to personal, professional, or current healthcare events. Choose from several prompt options to explore course topics in a way that is meaningful to you. Entries are private (shared only with your instructor) and will contribute to your final project.
Week 1 Assignment: Reflective Essay
Write a reflective essay explaining personal views and initial understanding of the ethical theories discussed in the first week of the course.
Week 4 Assignment: Daily Ethical Decisions Diary
For one week, keep a diary of decisions you make that have ethical implications, then analyze these decisions using the ethical frameworks studied in the course.
Week 6 Assignment: Ethical Decision-Making During Resource Scarcity
Analyze the ethical dilemmas presented in a case of resource scarcity at a rural hospital. Choose one of four formats to present the analysis: a PowerPoint presentation, a voice recording, a written paper, or an infographic. Each format should comprehensively address the scenario provided, focusing on the ethical decision-making process and application of ethical principles.
Week 8 Final Assignment: Ethical Decision-Making in Healthcare
Create a comprehensive slideshow presentation that encompasses your understanding of the key ethical issues and decision-making frameworks discussed throughout the course.
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Learning Activity | Points |
|---|---|
| Academic Integrity Agreement | 1 |
| Week 1 Discussion: Introductions | 5 |
| Week 1 Assignment: Reflective Essay | 8 |
| Week 2 Discussion: Ethical Principles & Application | 6 |
| Week 2 Ethics in Action Journal | 3 |
| Week 3 Discussion: Confidentiality Breach | 6 |
| Week 3 Ethics in Action Journal | 3 |
| Week 4 Discussion: Ethical Decision Making Framework | 6 |
| Week 4 Ethics in Action Journal | 3 |
| Week 4 Assignment: Daily Ethical Decisions Diary | 8 |
| Week 5 Discussion: Ethical Viewpoints | 6 |
| Week 5 Ethics in Action Journal | 3 |
| Week 6 Discussion: Resource Scarcity in a Rural Hospital | 6 |
| Week 6 Ethics in Action Journal | 3 |
| Week 6 Assignment: Ethical Decision-Making during Resource Scarcity | 8 |
| Week 7 Discussion: Mandatory Vaccines | 6 |
| Week 7 Ethics in Action Journal | 3 |
| Week 8 Discussion: Navigating the New Frontier | 6 |
| Week 8 Final Assignment: Ethical Decision-Making in Healthcare | 10 |
| TOTAL | 100 |
Schedule
Course Dates
Week 1: Aug 27 – Sep 2
Week 2: Sep 3 – Sep 9
Week 3: Sep 10 – Sep 16
Week 4: Sep 17 – Sep 23
Week 5: Sep 24 – Sep 30
Week 6: Oct 1 – Oct 7
Week 7: Oct 8 – Oct 14
Week 8: Oct 15 – Oct 21
| Week | Assessments | Due |
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Week 1: Introduction to Ethical Foundations in Healthcare |
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Week 2: Ethical Principles in Healthcare
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Week 3: Patient Rights and Confidentiality |
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Week 4: Ethical Decision-Making Frameworks |
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Week 5: Ethics in End-of-Life Care |
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Week 6: Resource Allocation & Fairness |
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Week 7: Public Health in Ethics |
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Week 8: Emerging Issues in Healthcare Ethics |
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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? Email: prehealth@une.edu.
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.
Instructor and Support Contact Information
Check Brightspace for specific instructor and support specialist contact information.
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.
- Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
Further Assistance
Your student service advisor monitors course progression and provides assistance or guidance when needed. They can assist questions regarding ordering course materials, University policies, billing, navigating the course in Brightspace, and more.
Policies
Attendance Policy
Online students are required to submit a graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. If a student does not submit a posting to the graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET, the student will be automatically dropped from the course for non-participation. Review the full attendance policy.
Assignments
Late 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 if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.
Proctored Examinations
Your course may have proctored exams. Please see your course for full details, access, testing requirements, and guidelines.
Students must follow all proctoring requirements for their exams to be credited. Please contact your instructor for specific feedback.
Exam Attempts Policy
Students will receive two attempts at all proctored examinations. The higher score of the two attempts will be calculated into the final grade.
All students are encouraged to use a second attempt on their exams in order to improve their overall performance in the course.
Information about exam attempts can be found in your course.
Technology Requirements
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Programs: Technical Requirements
Course Length
A schedule of lectures and assignments is included in this syllabus.
Courses in the program are equivalent to one-semester courses designed to be completed in 6 or 8 weeks.
- Enrollment in the course begins the day your section opens which is listed in the Academic Calendar found on the Student Success Portal.
- Course due dates, start and end dates are in respect to Eastern Time.
Withdrawal and Refund Policies
Please review the policies in your confirmation email. Contact PreHealth@une.edu with any questions.
Grade Policy
Students are expected to attempt and complete all graded assignments and proctored exams by the end date of the course. Contact support with any questions.
Transcripts
Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, only the student may request official transcripts. This may be done online by going to the University of New England Registrar website and following the directions on the page.
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.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submission of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- 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.