SW410: Ethics and the Helping Professions
Instructor:
Charlie Wellenstein
Class Dates & Location:
The online course runs from January 25 to May 13. It is taught online, through
Moodle
(http://courseware.umt.edu ).
Contact Information:
Phone: 406-243-6153
Email: charlie.wellenstein@mso.umt.edu
Tech Support:
UMOnline: 406.243.4999; courseware-support@umontana.edu ; or
http://umonline.umt.edu
Office Hours:
By appointment or via phone, email. I will respond to calls, emails, and General
Discussion posts within a 24 hr. period, M-F.
Virtual Office Hours in Moodle:
Mondays 12-1p.m.
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the social work major.
Course Description: The course analyses specific ethical dilemmas from personal,
professional and policy perspectives. Also, the course focuses on ethical issues
common to the helping professions and utilizes professional codes of ethics as
guides to decision making, and the relationship between professional ethical issues,
civic duty, and the development of social policy. In addition, the course will include,
apply, and infuse the concepts of justice, prosperity, and moral excellence as
foundations within the western tradition and as it applies to the helping professions.
Learning Outcomes :
Through class participation, completion of reading and written assignments, and
discussions with individuals impacted by the ethical dilemmas explored in class,
students will:
• Develop critical thinking skills analyzing, articulating and defending relevant
dimensions of ethical decision-making.
• Clarify personal ethical beliefs and the value choices related to these beliefs.
• Identify ethical principles governing their professional field and the value choices
implicit in these principles.
• Identify current ethical dilemmas experienced by professional practitioners and
the conflicts and complexities involved resolving these dilemmas.
• Clarify ethical dimensions of various public policies which impact the activities of
practitioners in the helping professions.
• Explore the expectations and limits of personal and professional responsibility
related to social action.
• Develop personal and professional stances related to ethical issues in public policy
and in professional activities.
• Develop an understanding of and a tolerance for the diversity of opinions related
to ethical decision-making.
• Develop and understanding of the western tradition of ethical thought specifically
the theories of justice, prosperity, and moral excellence and their relationship to the
helping professions.
• Develop the ability to apply the relevant standards of the code of ethics in case
analysis and also utilize concepts from the western tradition
Core Competencies
Practice Behaviors
Activities and Measures
2.1.1: Identify as a
2. practice personal
Readings
professional social worker reflection and selfClass Activities
and conduct oneself
correction to assure
Class Discussions
accordingly
continual professional
development;
2.1.2: Apply SW ethical
principles to guide
professional practice
7. recognize and manage
personal values in a way
that allows professional
values to guide practice;
8. make ethical decisions
by applying standards of
the National Association of
Social Workers Code of
Ethics and, as applicable, of
the International
Federation of Social
Workers/International
Association of Schools of
Social Work Ethics in Social
Work, Statement of
Principles;
9. tolerate ambiguity in
resolving ethical conflicts;
10. apply strategies of
ethical reasoning to arrive
at principled decisions.
Final Exam
Graded Class Discussions
Graded Class Discussions
Ethical Dilemma Paper
2.1.3: Apply critical
thinking to inform and
communicate professional
judgments
11. distinguish, appraise,
and integrate multiple
sources of knowledge,
including research-based
knowledge, and practice
Readings
Class Activities
Class Discussions
Ethical Issue Assignment
Final Exam
wisdom;
2.1.4—Engage diversity
and difference in practice
15.Gain sufficient selfReadings
awareness to eliminate the Class Activities
influence of personal biases Class Discussions
and values in working with
diverse groups
Disability
Contact Student Disability Services for consideration and eligibility. Upon
presentation of eligibility, classroom and testing accommodations will be made.
Academic Honesty
The Student Conduct Code, embodying the ideals of academic honesty, integrity,
human rights, and responsible citizenship, governs all student conduct at The
University of Montana-Missoula. You are expected to adhere to this code.
(http://life.umt.edu/SA/documents/fromWeb/StudentConductCode1.pdf)
Professional Behavior
Because this course is preparation for professional practice, students are expected
to adhere to the Social Work Code of Ethics. Please read and review the Code of
Ethics before committing to participation in this course. Students are expected to
demonstrate ethical standards of practice in fulfilling course assignments. Also,
students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner throughout
the course. Students in the course will be held to the standards and
expectations as written in the BSW Student Handbook.
Graduate Students
Students taking this class for graduate credit need to consult with me on an
advanced project.
REQUIRED READING
Reading assignments are designed to focus attention on personal and professional
ethical decision-making and to raise awareness of the public policy dimensions of
these decisions.
Sandel, M. (2009). Justice. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.(This book will be
used weekly for the first 10 weeks of class).
Singer, P (2009). The Life You Can Save. New York: Random House. (This book will
be read throughout the semester, and must be completed by April 18).
Skloot, R (2010), The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lack. New York: Crown Publishers.
(This book will be read throughout the semester, and must be completed by
April 11).
National Association of Social Workers, Code of Ethics of the National Association of
Social Workers. Available on-line at www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code.asp.
COURSE OUTLINE
Course Schedule:
Week of:
Topics
Readings/Assignments
January 25
Learning Unit 1
Orientation
Expectations
Introductions
Clarify definition of ethics/morality.
Begin developing criteria for evaluating ethical dilemmas. Identify current ethical
issues.
Discussion: Who is ethical?
Reading :
Sandel, Chapter 1:Doing the Right Thing
Assignment: Ethical Diagnosis due January 31
February 1
Unit 2
Exploring ethical concepts, theories, principles and developing a conceptual
framework.
Discussion: What is the greatest good?
Sandel, Chapter 2:The Greatest Happiness Principle / Utilitarianism
February 8
Unit 3
Self-Determination
Discussion : Are there limits to autonomy?
Reading :
Sandel, Chapter 3: Do We Own Ourselves? / Libertarianism
February 15 (15th a holiday)
Unit 4
Informed Consent
Discussion : Can we choose to die?
Readings:
Sandel, Chapter 4: Hired Help / Markets and Morals
February 22
Unit 5
Conflicts of Interests/Professional Boundaries
Discussion: Are there limits to caring?
Reading:
Sandel, Chapter 5: What matters is the motive- Kant
February 29
Unit 6
Ethical Considerations When Working with Children
Discussion : When should a child be sentenced as an adult?
Readings:
Sandel, Chapter 6:The Case for Equality/John Rawls
March 7
Unit 7
Confidentiality
Discussion : Is everything confidential?
Readings:
Sandel: Chapter 7: Arguing Affirmative Action
Prep paper due- 3/13
March 14
Unit 8
Professional Competence
Discussion : How do our clients know we are competent?
March 21
Unit 9
Ethics and Cultural Competence
Discussion: What is fair?
Reading:
Reading Assignments :
Sandel, Chapter 10: Justice and the Common Good
Skloot, R,: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
March 28
Unit 10
Agency Based Ethics
Discussion : When do you blow the whistle ?
Spring Break: Enjoy your Break!
April 4
Spring Break: Enjoy your Break!
April 11
Unit 12
Ethics and Social Policy
Discussion: Henrietta Lacks
April 28
The Ethics of Charity
Discussion: How much should we give?
Reading:
Singer, P (2009). The Life You Can Save. New York: Random House. (this must be
completed by this week.)
Assignment: Case Presentation due April 24
Assignment: Final Paper due April 24
April 25
Ethical Case Presentations
May 2
Ethical Case Presentations
May 9
Finals Week –Final Due May 9-9p.m.
ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING-Specific Directions will be on the Moodle Site
Grading Points
1. 330 pts Classroom Participation: Course sessions include general discussion,
case analysis, and practical exercises. Effective work in this course depends on your
readiness to share experiences, receive feedback and provide support to others.
Active and continuing participation in discussions and exercises is critical. You are
expected to log on and participation in discussion early and often, and include the
readings as directed. The number and quality of posts expected will be assigned
each week.
The Discussions run from Monday to Sunday at 9 p.m.
Please review the Discussion Rubric. It is required that you bring the readings from
the texts into your posts.
Please review the rules for Netiquette. The expectations for both discussions and
disagreements are expected to be polite and civil.
2. 120 pts. *Completion of one preparation paper approximately two to three pages
(20 points) and final ethics paper approximately three to four pages (100 points).
The final paper includes at least six written references and one interview. Use APA
format for reference citations. Specific directions will be given in class
5. 10 pts. Presentation on final paper.
6. 40 pts. Final exam.
Total 500
Points Earned
A = 470-500
A-= 450-469
B+= 435-449
B = 420-439
B-= 400-419
C+= 390-399
C = 372-389
C-= 350-371
D+= 340-349
D = 326-339
D-= 300-325
F = 0-299
The following criteria are used for grading:
Correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation
Indication of thoughtfulness and critical reflection
Good balance between thoroughness and expressing ideas concisely
Well organized and clarity of thought
Move beyond content to critical analysis and original ideas
Integration of readings, research, and course learnings
Active participation in weekly discussions
*ALL WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE submitted ON DUE DATE TO RECEIVE
FULL CREDIT. Late assignments will be deducted