Fall 2020/Online
PC 803
PC 803: Legal and Ethical
Issues (2 units: 80 hours) Dr. Maria (Miko) Mechure
I.
COURSE
DESCRIPTION:
This course provides a
survey of the current Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct
and the current professional practice laws regarding clinical psychology.
Special attention will be given to application of ethics, with additional focus
on legal issues where most relevant. An integrative world view will be
emphasized. Class materials will be presented via Canvas.
II.
COURSE
OBJECTIVES:
Successful completion
of the course will result in the following:
|
1. Research |
2. Ethical & Legal
Standards |
3. Individual & Cultural
Diversity |
4. Professional Values & Attitudes |
5. Communication & Interpersonal Skills |
|
6. Assessment |
7. Intervention |
8. Supervision |
9. Consultation & Interprofessional/ Interdisciplinary
Skills |
10. Integration of Psychology &
Theology |
2.1 Be knowledgeable of and act in
accordance with the current version of the APA Ethical Principles of
Psychologists and Code of Conduct.
2.2 Be knowledgeable of and act in
accordance with relevant laws, regulations, rules, and policies governing
health service psychology at the organizational, local, state, regional, and
federal levels.
2.3 Be knowledgeable of and act in
accordance with relevant professional standards and guidelines.
2.4 Recognize ethical dilemmas as they
arise, and apply ethical decision-making processes in order to resolve the
dilemmas.
IV.
RELATIONSHIP
TO SCHOOL AND SEMINARY LEARNING OUTCOMES
Graduates will be able to pursue
careers consistent with their education (FTS); Graduates will demonstrate the
ability to identify critical issues of diversity and make appropriate responses
(FTS); Demonstrate the ability to provide excellent preventive and/or
transformational mental health services (SOP); Competence as practitioners of
clinical psychology (Clinical Department); Informed sensitivity to diversity
issues in psychology (Clinical Department).
V.
COURSE
FORMAT
This is a 2-unit course that
will meet asynchronously online and includes 10 weekly modules. Course objectives will be accomplished
through online activities. Formal presentations through lectures will be
pre-recorded and posted on the Canvas Course page. Students will complete
weekly online discussions that are tailored to the corresponding lecture topic.
Instructor and teaching assistants will offer optional office hours bi-weekly
to answer student’s questions and clarify legal and ethical issues. The work of
the teaching assistants will be supervised by the instructor.
VI.
READING
Required Readings:
1.
Book:
a.
Drogin, E. Y. (2019). Ethical conflicts in psychology (5th ed.).
American Psychological Association.
2.
Articles will be
posted on Canvas. (All articles posted on Canvas are required, unless noted
otherwise.
a.
American
Psychological Association. (2016). Ethical principles of psychologists and
code of conduct. American Psychological Association. (https://www.apa.org/ethics/code/ethics-code-2017.pdf)
Recommended Readings:
1.
Nagy, T. F. (2005). Ethics
in plain English: An illustrative casebook for psychologists (2nd ed.). American Psychological Association.
2.
Board of Psychology.
(2020). Laws and regulations relating to the practice of psychology. Board
of Psychology. (https://www.psychology.ca.gov/laws_regs/2020lawsregs.pdf)
3.
Board of Psychology.
(2005). For your peace of mind: A consumer guide to psychological services. Board
of Psychology (https://www.psychology.ca.gov/forms_pubs/consumer_guide.pdf)
VII.
ASSIGNMENT
AND EVALUATION:
Letter grades for the course
are determined as follows:
1.
Mid-Term Exam
(multiple choice) 50%
2.
Final Exam
(cumulative, multiple choice) 50%
VIII.
EXPECTATION
FOR HOURS
Class
attendance (lectures and discussion posts): 20 hours
Required
readings: 54 hours
Examinations:
4 hours
Exam
review sessions: 4 hours
IX.
PREREQISITES
None.
X.
RELATION
TO CURRICULUM
Required course.