Course Syllabus
Course Title: Medical Terminology for Allied Health Professionals
Course Code: Kinesiology (KINES) 203
Course Number: 13366 | Course ID: 026398 | Section: 001
Course Prerequisites: Not Applicable
Medical Language Lab Class ID: B7213FA228
Instructor: Dr Giampietro L Vairo, PhD, ATC
Meeting Time(s): WEB
Meeting Place(s): WEB
Semester: Fall Semester | Time Period: August 23 – December 10, 2021
Overview
Comprehensive review of terms related to functions, disorders, diagnosis, and treatment of
body systems related to physical activity and movement.
This course is designed for students who wish to enter an allied health field related to physical
activity and human movement. This course will help students prepare for careers in physical
therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), medicine (MD, DO), physician assistant (PA-C),
pharmacy (R.Ph), dietary medicine (RD) and emergency care (EMT, EMT-P). Some of the
allied health programs listed above requires a 3-credit course in medical terminology prior to
admission into graduate school and this course fulfills that requirement.
The goal of this course is to help students develop an understanding of medical terminology
related to physical activity and human movement used when dealing with the anatomy and
physiology of the systems of the body, disease processes associated with each system, and
pharmacology and clinical treatments associated with the pathology of the body systems.
Students will appreciate the weights and measures, chemical symbols, diagnoses, procedures,
and medical documentation used in allied health fields, especially in sports and human
movement medicine.
Please refer to LionPATH Schedule of Classes (http://launch.lionpath.psu.edu/) for additional
information.
Instructor Introduction
Biography
Dr Vairo is a Clinical Associate Professor of Kinesiology, Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation, and
Program Director for the entry-level Athletic Training curriculum at Penn State. He is also
Director of Sports Medicine Clinical Research for the College of Medicine’s Department of
Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation at the University Park Regional Campus, and serves as faculty
in the Penn State Hershey Bone and Joint Institute – State College Sports Medicine
Fellowship. Dr Vairo practiced as a full-time staff athletic trainer and preceptor at Penn State,
Princeton University, and the University of Pittsburgh, and periodically serves as a health and
human performance consultant for the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at Penn State.
As an administrator of clinical affairs, Dr Vairo previously acted as Director of Sports Health
Care for Penn State Sports Camps.
Contact Information
Email: glv103@psu.edu
Phone: 814-865-2725
FAX: 814-865-7936
Website: www.personal.psu.edu/glv103
Building & Room: Recreation Bldg 146-J
Campus Address: Department of Kinesiology, University Park PA 16802
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Office Hours
By Appointment (via Canvas Chat)
Course Objectives
Students will be introduced to, and expected to demonstrate proficiency in…
1. the development of basic medical terminology and word building systems, including the
recognition of word roots, suffixes, prefixes, parts of speech, and plural formations.
2. the basic medical terminology associated with anatomy and physiology, pathology, health
conditions, diagnostic procedures, pharmacology, and medical treatments, including surgery.
3. the basic medical terminology associated with various aspects of anesthesiology,
endocrinology, gastroenterology, gynecology, immunology, neurology, oncology, opthamology,
orthopaedics, osteopathy, psychology, pulmonology, and urology.
4. a basic system of weights, and measures, chemical symbols, diagnoses, health professions,
and charting abbreviations.
5. the role of medical terminology to become better prepared for graduate studies in medicine,
physician assistant studies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, pharmacy, athletic training,
and nursing.
6. the role of medical terminology to become better prepared for careers in athletic training,
pharmaceutical sales, medical technology, medical office staffing, radiology technician
services, pharmacy technician services, surgical technician services, emergency medical
services.
7. the basic medical terminology associated with various medical and allied health care
specialties.
Methods of Instruction
1.
2.
3.
4.
Self-paced online learning modules
Self-paced online interactive learning activities
Course assignments
Online discussion forums
Course Materials
Electronic Materials
e-Book / Digital Product
Medial Language Lab 2.0 for Medical Terminology Systems, 8th Edition. Gylys, BA &
Wedding, ME. Instant access when purchased online directly from F.A. Davis with a 20%
discount for Penn State students (Promo Code PKBHU8VX) at:
https://www.fadavis.com/product/medical-terminology-med-term-body-systems-gylys-wedding8.
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Digital Resources
DavisPlus Online Resource Center (https://davisplus.fadavis.com/).
Leaning Management System & Useful Links
CANVAS
This course utilizes CANVAS, Penn State’s online course management system. For
information on using CANVAS, please refer to: http://canvas.psu.edu/students/ or at:
https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-4121. The CANVAS website is located at
https://lmstools.ais.psu.edu/login.html.
Useful Links
The Medline Plus | Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary is a helpful supplementary resource
for assistance with the correct spelling and pronunciation of medical terms. It is also beneficial
as a reference for accessing the fundamental aspects of related clinical topics. The Medline
Plus | Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary website is located at
http://www.merriam-webster.com/medlineplus/.
Hardware/Software Requirements
Supported browsers and recommended computers are available at
http://kb.its.psu.edu/cms/article/6.
Academic Requirements
Expectations and Course Policies
Attendance | Online Active Participation: Attendance | online active participation for all
related course functions is expected. You are responsible both for all the material
presented/covered in the course instructional format and associated readings. Frequent
absence from, the untimely or not engaging in online learning activities will negatively impact
your learning and academic performance.
Federal regulations regarding financial aid require universities to be able to document a
student's "last date of attendance". For the purpose of this class and based on federal
regulations, the following “academically related activities” will be used to document a student’s
last date of attendance:
• Physically attending a class that enables direct interaction between instructor and
students
• Submitting an academic assignment
• Taking an exam, an interactive tutorial or computer-assisted instruction
• Attending an assigned study group
• Participating in an online discussion about academic matters
• Initiating contact with a faculty member to ask questions about the course subject
matter
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"A student should attend every class for which the student is scheduled and should be held
responsible for all work covered in the courses taken." (See Policies and Rules for Students,
Class Attendance (42-27) on the PSU website at http://www.psu.edu/ufs/policies).
“Attendance in online courses goes beyond course login and is based on documentable
participation in class activities, such as interacting with the instructor, interacting with enrolled
students, completing assignments with specific due dates, and/or participating in online
discussions on a regular basis.” (See Academic Administrative Policies and Procedures
Manual (E-11) at http://undergrad.psu.edu/aappm/E-11-class-attendance.html).
Tardiness: A student should be present and ready for class at the scheduled time. If a student
anticipates being tardy (for a legitimate reason), they should alert the instructor in advance.
Assigned Readings: Assigned readings are to be completed as dictated by the course
schedule. Failure to consistently read the required materials in preparation for class
discussions is unacceptable and is deleterious to your preparation as a competent allied health
care professional. Apart from the course textbooks, the instructor may periodically assign
supplementary reading assignments, which the instructor will provide.
Assignments: All assignments are due on the dates specified on the syllabus. The University
has careful policies about your rights and responsibilities in the case of emergency and illness.
Please be familiar with them and do not try to abuse them.
Examinations: A total of 3 online examinations will be given throughout the semester. The
examinations will be composed of a variety of assessment-type questions (e.g. true/false,
multiple choice, matching item, identification, clinical scenarios, etc.). The written examinations
will not be comprehensive. Examinations are set in advance per the course schedule to aid in
the student’s preparation of evaluation. Students will not be permitted access to course
learning materials during such examinations.
Conflict and makeup exams will only be given to those individuals with official University
sanctioned absences. You must give advance notice if possible. To be eligible for a make-up,
you must present a WRITTEN REQUEST, which outlines the reason for your absence.
Please refer to the University’s Policies and Rules for Undergraduate Students for additional
information.
Quizzes: A total of 16 online quizzes will be given throughout the semester. These quizzes are
meant to assess your retention and knowledge of the corresponding instructional lesson’s
course material. Students will not be permitted access to course learning materials during such
quizzes.
Conflict and makeup quizzes will only be given to those individuals with official University
sanctioned absences. You must give advance notice if possible. To be eligible for a make-up,
you must present a WRITTEN REQUEST, which outlines the reason for your absence.
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Please refer to the University’s Policies and Rules for Undergraduate Students for additional
information.
Extra Credit: Outside class activities will be announced throughout the semester at the
discretion of the instructor. This activity will take place outside of the normally scheduled class
periods. It is not mandatory that students complete these activities. The points associated with
the activities are strictly supplementary and will be added to a student’s final course grade.
Performance on outside class activities is not detrimental to a student’s overall grade.
Conflict and makeup activities will only be given to those individuals with official University
sanctioned absences. You must give advance notice if possible. To be eligible for a make-up,
you must present a WRITTEN REQUEST, which outlines the reason for your absence.
Please refer to the University’s Policies and Rules for Undergraduate Students for additional
information.
Student Responsibilities:
1. Students are responsible for attending all classes, taking notes, and obtaining other
materials provided by the instructor, taking tests, and completing assignments as
scheduled by the instructor.
a. Requests for taking exams or submitting assignments after the due dates require
documentation of events such as illness, family emergency or a university
sanctioned activity.
b. Conflicts with dates on which examinations or assignments are scheduled must
be discussed with the instructor or teaching assistant prior to the date of the
exam or assignment.
2. Students are responsible for keeping track of changes in the course syllabus made by
the instructor throughout the semester.
3. Students are responsible for consistently monitoring their grades.
4. Students must contact the instructor as soon as possible if they anticipate missing
multiple classes due to events such as chronic illnesses, travel related to team sports or
other university activities. The instructor will determine the minimal attendance and
participation required in order to meet course responsibilities.
5. Behaviors that disrupt other students’ learning are not acceptable (e.g.: arriving
consistently late for class, cell phone use, reading non-course related materials, or
social conversation during class) and will be addressed by the instructor.
Students’ Use of Electronic Equipment: Cell phones are not to be used during course activities.
Drop and Late Drop Periods: Students, not the instructor, are solely responsible for abiding by the
drop and late drop period guidelines and calendar in applicable circumstances.
Please refer to the University Policies and Rules for Undergraduate Students for
additional information.
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Course Activities
Introduction
This course aims to introduce the principles of medical terminology. It is divided into 16 topics.
The topics expose students to the basics needed to understand and use medical terminology
in an applied manner. This concept is reinforced by also exploring practical examples as a
means to illustrate use of medical terminology in a clinical context. There are activities and
assessments planned throughout the topics to encourage student learning and retention of
material in an effort to facilitate identifying, analyzing, building, and appropriately using medical
terms.
Schedule
Week
Day & Date
Topic(s) | Lesson(s)
1
F, August 27
2
R, September 2
3
W, September 8
3
T, September 14
4
R, September 16
5
5
M, September 20
R, September 23
6
W, September 29
7
M, October 4
8
W, October 6
9
W, October 13
10
W, October 20
11
M, October 25
Syllabus Review;
Course Introduction;
Academic Integrity Training Quiz;
Following Instructions Quiz;
Course Pretest
Basic Elements of a Medical Word (Read, Watch, Critical
Listening, Generation, Response, Practice);
Basic Elements of a Medical Word Quiz 1 (Chapter 1)
Suffixes (Read, Watch, Critical Listening, Generation,
Response, Practice);
Suffixes Quiz 2 (Chapter 2)
Prefixes (Read, Watch, Critical Listening, Generation,
Response, Practice);
Prefixes Quiz 3 (Chapter 3)
Body Structure (Read, Watch, Critical Listening,
Generation, Response, Practice);
Body Structure Quiz 4 (Chapter 4)
Exam 1 (Chapters 1-4)
Integumentary System (Read, Watch, Critical Listening,
Generation, Response, Practice);
Integumentary System Quiz 5 (Chapter 5)
Digestive System (Read, Watch, Critical Listening,
Generation, Response, Practice);
Digestive System Quiz 6 (Chapter 6)
Respiratory System (Read, Watch, Critical Listening,
Generation, Response, Practice);
Respiratory System Quiz 7 (Chapter 7)
Cardiovascular System (Read, Watch, Critical Listening,
Generation, Response, Practice);
Cardiovascular System Quiz 8 (Chapter 8)
Blood, Lymph, and Immune Systems (Read, Watch,
Critical Listening, Generation, Response, Practice);
Blood, Lymph & Immune Systems Quiz 9 (Chapter 9)
Musculoskeletal System (Read, Watch, Critical Listening,
Generation, Response, Practice);
Musculoskeletal System Quiz 10 (Chapter 10)
Exam 2 (Chapters 5-10 and Appendices)
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KINES 203.001 – Fall Semester 2021 (as of 8/30/2021)
Assigned Reading(s)
& e-Learning
Tools/Sources
Syllabus;
Canvas;
Online – use this link;
Canvas;
Medical Language Lab
e-Book Chapter 1 &
Medical Language Lab;
Canvas
e-Book Chapter 2 &
Medical Language Lab;
Canvas
e-Book Chapter 3 &
Medical Language Lab;
Canvas
e-Book Chapter 4 &
Medical Language Lab;
Canvas
Canvas
e-Book Chapter 5 &
Medical Language Lab;
Canvas
e-Book Chapter 6 &
Medical Language Lab;
Canvas
e-Book Chapter 7 &
Medical Language Lab;
Canvas
e-Book Chapter 8 &
Medical Language Lab;
Canvas
e-Book Chapter 9 &
Medical Language Lab;
Canvas
e-Book Chapter 10 &
Medical Language Lab;
Canvas
Canvas
Page 6
12
M, November 1
13
T, November 9
13
W, November 17
15
T, November 30
15
R, December 2
16
T, December 7
16
16
Finals
Week
R, December 9
F, December 10
W, December 15
Urinary System (Read, Watch, Critical Listening,
Generation, Response, Practice);
Urinary System Quiz 11 (Chapter 11)
Female Reproductive System (Read, Watch, Critical
Listening, Generation, Response, Practice);
Female Reproductive System Quiz 12 (Chapter 12)
Male Reproductive System (Read, Watch, Critical
Listening, Generation, Response, Practice);
Male Reproductive System Quiz 13 (Chapter 13)
Endocrine System (Read, Watch, Critical Listening,
Generation, Response, Practice);
Endocrine System Quiz 14 (Chapter 14)
Nervous System (Read, Watch, Critical Listening,
Generation, Response, Practice);
Nervous System Quiz 15 (Chapter 15)
Special Senses (Read, Watch, Critical Listening,
Generation, Response, Practice);
Special Senses Quiz 16 (Chapter 16)
Course Posttest
Course SRTE
Exam 3 (Chapters 11-16)
e-Book Chapter 11 &
Medical Language Lab;
Canvas
e-Book Chapter 12 &
Medical Language Lab;
Canvas
e-Book Chapter 13 &
Medical Language Lab;
Canvas
e-Book Chapter 14 &
Medical Language Lab;
Canvas
e-Book Chapter 15 &
Medical Language Lab;
Canvas
e-Book Chapter 16 &
Medical Language Lab;
Canvas
Medical Language Lab
rateteaching.psu.edu
Canvas
Evaluations
Methods of Evaluation:
Mode
Course Introduction
Academic Integrity Quiz
Following Instructions Quiz (must earn
a 100%)
Pre-test
Chapter Assignments
(Critical Listening, Response,
Generation, Practice)
Quizzes (16)
Examination 1
Examination 2
Examination 3
Post-test
Extra Credit
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Points | %
0
0
0
Percent of Final Course Grade
Required element
Required element
Required element
0
% average of
ALL completed
modules –
incompletion
of any modules
results in a
score of 0 for
the chapter
160 points
100 points
100 points
100 points
0
Possible 1%
Required element
12.5%
12.5%
25%
25%
25%
Required element
Extra credit towards final grade
KINES 203.001 – Fall Semester 2021 (as of 8/30/2021)
Page 7
Failure to complete any of the required elements by the designated due date will result
in a deferred grade or F.
Final Grades will be assigned as follows:
Percent
Grade
Quality of Performance
94-100
A
Excellent
Exceptional Achievement
90-93.9
A87-89.9
B+
Good
Extensive Achievement
83-86.9
B
80-82.9
B76-79.9
C+
70-75.9
C
Satisfactory
Acceptable Achievement
65-69.9
D
64.9 and below
F
Failure*
Inadequate Achievement
*Course must be repeated to secure credit.
Grades will NOT be rounded up under any circumstance (NO exceptions).
Support and Questions
CANVAS
To contact Canvas support at Instructure, click the “Help” button in the bottom left corner of the
screen when logged into Canvas at https://psu.instructure.com/ or call 814-865-4357. For
questions about Canvas at Penn State, please contact canvas@psu.edu.
Penn State Policy Statements
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible
manner. Academic integrity is a basic guiding principle for all academic activity at The
Pennsylvania State University, and all members of the University community are expected to
act in accordance with this principle. Consistent with this expectation, the University's Code of
Conduct states that all students should act with personal integrity, respect other students'
dignity, rights and property, and help create and maintain an environment in which all can
succeed through the fruits of their efforts.
Academic integrity includes a commitment not to engage in or tolerate acts of falsification,
misrepresentation or deception. Such acts of dishonesty violate the fundamental ethical
principles of the University community and compromise the worth of work completed by others.
Students should be aware that academic integrity covers a wide array of actions. Sanctions
can range from a reduction in your grade on the assignment (for minor offenses) to an F for the
course and referral for disciplinary sanctions including permanent recording of an academic
integrity violation on your academic transcript (for major offenses). Violations of the
University’s Academic Integrity Policy include, but are not limited to, the following:
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Cheating: using crib sheets of any kind, preprogrammed calculators or cell phones, use of
notes during a closed book exam
Copying on tests: looking at other students’ exams, copying with a plan with another student,
passing notes during exams; exchanging exams with another student
Plagiarism: fabricating information or citations; copying from the Internet of submitting the
work of others from journals, articles and papers, or books; submitting other students’ papers
as one’s own. Any material, regardless of length, that is the work of somebody else and who is
not given explicit credit by citation, submitted as one’s own, is plagiarized material.
Tampering with work: changing one’s own or another student’s work; tampering with work
either as a prank or to sabotage another’s work
Acts of aiding and abetting: Facilitating academically dishonest work by others; unauthorized
collaboration on work; permitting another to copy from one’s exam; writing a paper for another;
inappropriately collaborating on home assignments or exams without permission or when
prohibited
Unauthorized possession: Buying or stealing of exams or other materials; failing to return
exams on file or reviewed in class; selling exams; photocopying exams; any possession of an
exam without the instructor’s permission
Submitting previous work: Submitting a paper, case study, lab report, or any assignment
that had been submitted for credit in a prior class without the knowledge and permission of the
instructor
Ghosting or misrepresenting: Taking a quiz or exam or performing a class assignment in
place of another student; having another student do the same in one’s place; signing in as
present in class for another student or having another student do the same in one’s place
Altering exams: Changing incorrect answers and seeking favorable grade changes when
instructor returns graded exams for in-class review and then collects them; asserting that the
instructor make a mistake in grade. Other forms include changing the letter and/or numerical
grade on a test.
Computer theft: Electronic theft of computer programs or other software, data, images, art, or
text belonging to another.
Sanctions depend on the nature of the violation. Sanctioning guidelines are available at
http://undergrad.psu.edu/aappm/sanctioning-guidelines.html.
The University procedures for dealing with a violation are described in detail at
http://undergrad.psu.edu/aappm/G-9-academic-integrity.html.
In addition to University procedures, students are also expected to be aware of, and review
related College of Health and Human Development policies, which are accessible at
https://hhd.psu.edu/undergraduate/advising/academic-integrity/college-academic-integritypolicies-and-procedures.
Students enrolled in this course are expected to complete the Penn State Academic Integrity
Training at: https://www.academicintegrity.psu.edu/.
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Student Conduct
The University identifies unacceptable student behavior in a document called the Code of
Conduct. Specific information can be found on the Procedures page. Students are encouraged
to familiarize themselves with the behaviors identified in the Code of Conduct and to allow it to
inform their everyday decision-making both in and out of the classroom. Knowing what is
considered acceptable and honorable behavior is often the first step to making that a way of
life.
The Code of Conduct exists to maintain a civil and safe community in which all Penn Staters
can live and learn. The disciplinary process administered by the Office of Student Conduct is
designed to foster growth and learning through holding students accountable for their behavior.
The goal of the Office of Student Conduct is to create a community in which students’ actions
validate the essential values of Penn State University:
• Personal and academic integrity,
• Respect for the dignity of all persons and a willingness to learn from the differences in
people, ideas, and opinions,
• Respect for the rights, property, and safety of others,
• Concern for others and their feelings and their need for conditions that support an
environment where they can work, grow, and succeed at Penn State.
Student Disability Resources
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University’s educational programs.
Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities. The Student Disability
Resources Web site provides contact information for every Penn State campus:
http://equity.psu.edu/sdr/disability-coordinator. For further information, please visit the Student
Disability Resources Web site: http://equity.psu.edu/sdr. In order to receive consideration for
reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the
campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide
documentation: http://equity.psu.edu/sdr/applying-for-services. If the documentation supports
your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus’s disability services office will
provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and
discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow
this process for every semester that you request accommodations.”
Educational Equity
Penn State takes great pride to foster a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty,
and staff. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment due to age, ancestry, color,
disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or
veteran status are not tolerated.
Students, faculty, or staff who experience or witness a possible bias motivated incident are
urged to report the incident immediately through Educational Equity at the Report Bias
webpage: http://equity.psu.edu/reportbias/.
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Counseling and Psychological Services
Many students at Penn State face personal challenges or have psychological needs that may
interfere with interfere with their academic progress, social development, or emotional wellbeing. The university offers a variety of confidential services to help you through difficult times,
including individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, consultations, online chats, and
mental health screenings. These services are provided by staff who welcome all students and
embrace a philosophy respectful of clients’ cultural and religious backgrounds, and sensitive to
differences in race, ability, gender identity and sexual orientation.
• Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) (814) 863-0395 or 501 Student
Health Center during regular office hours (8 am-5 pm, Monday-Friday)
• Penn State Crisis Line (24 hours/7 days/week) (877) 229-6400
• Crisis Text Line (24 hours/7 days/week) Text LIONS to 741741
• Mental Health Providers (all campuses) https://elections.psu.edu/caps-cpd/
If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis situation, information on resources at
CAPS and other local groups that can help is found at
http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/counseling/crisis/.
The CAPS website not only has important information about how to access CAPS, but it also
has self-help information, information about private practice mental health professionals, and
information for parents.
Student Care and Advocacy
Students may experience a variety of challenges during their college career. Student Care &
Advocacy (https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/studentcare) is a central location that coordinates
efforts with campus partners to assist students who encounter challenges or concerns in
achieving success at Penn State.
Please reach out if you or someone you know has been impacted any of the following:
• Hospitalization
• Medical emergencies or long-term illness
• Mental health concerns
• Chronic conditions
• Death of an immediate family member
• Food insecurity
• Housing insecurity
• Natural disasters
• Academic distress
• Unexpected events or challenges
Their purpose is to empower students to overcome obstacles to their growth both inside and
outside the classroom. We encourage students to maximize their educational experience and
prepare them for involvement in the larger community and for life beyond college. They
welcome any opportunity to provide consultation, answer questions, respond to concerns, or
direct you to the resource best equipped to meet your needs. You can contact them in 129
Boucke Building (863-2020, StudentCare@psu.edu).
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Educator’s Code of Conduct
Four Norms to Govern Teaching:
1. Honesty
Honesty and integrity must be practiced during all aspects of the education process.
2. Promise-Keeping
Promise keeping requires the educator to fulfill the “promises” made at the beginning of the
semester or any other learning activity. Syllabi, assignments, grading principles, and class and
office hour schedules each involve promises that are made to students and that must be
adhered to under normal circumstances.
3. Respect for Persons
The educator must approach the learner with personal respect. In addition, the educator ought
to encourage mutual respect among students. In particular, respect for race, religion, sexual
orientation, disability, gender, age, marital status, cultural differences, and political conviction
should be supported and encouraged in all aspects of the educational process. Additionally,
educators ought to show respect and common courtesy for students both during interpersonal
interactions and in responding promptly to students’ need for guidance and feedback. An
environment free from harassment and discrimination, verbal abuse, physical violence, and
intimidation in any form must also be provided for all learning activities.
4. Fairness
Recognizing the inherent subjectively involved in grading, an educator ought to ensure that
their grading practices are as objective as possible by creating and adhering to unambiguous
criteria.
Principles of Ethical College and University Teaching:
Content Competence
An educator maintains a high level of subject matter knowledge and ensures that the
content of the educational experience is current, accurate, representative, and appropriate
to the position of the learning experience within the students’ program of study. The
educator must be capable of approaching each learner with a commitment to meeting his
or her educational needs.
Pedagogical Competence
A pedagogically competent educator communicates the objectives of the educational
experience to students, is aware of alternative instructional methods or strategies, and
selects methods of instruction that are effective in helping students to achieve the course
objectives.
Dealing with Sensitive Topics
Topics that students are likely to find sensitive or discomforting are dealt with in an open,
honest, and positive way.
Student Development
The overriding responsibility of the educator is to contribute to the intellectual development
of the student, at least in the context of the educator’s own area of expertise, and to avoid
actions such as exploitation and discrimination that detract from student development.
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Dual Relationship with Students
To avoid conflict of interest, an educator does not enter into dual-role relationships with
students that are likely to detract from student development or lead to actual or perceived
favoritism on the part of the educator. The establishment of a romantic/sexual relationship
between an educator and a student should be reported to the immediate supervisor of the
educator. Such relationships should be dealt with consistent with Penn State Policy on
Sexual Harassment (AD41): http://guru.psu.edu/policies/AD41.html.
Student Confidentiality
Student grades, letters of evaluation, attendance records, and private communications are
treated as confidential materials and are released only with student consent, for legitimate
academic purposes, or if there are reasonable grounds for believing that releasing such
information will be beneficial to the student or will prevent harm to the student or to others.
Respect for Colleagues
An educator respects the dignity of his or her colleagues and works cooperatively with
colleagues in the interest of fostering student development.
Valid Assessment of Students
An educator is responsible for taking adequate steps to ensure that the assessment of a
student’s performance is valid, open, fair, and congruent with the course/educational
experience objectives. An educator must be aware that such assessments are important in
students’ lives and in the development of their careers.
Respect for Institution and Profession
In the interest of student development, an educator is aware of and respects the
educational goals, policies, and standards of the institution in which he or she teaches and
the profession which he or she represents.
Citing Sources of Educational Material
An educator acknowledges and documents, as appropriate, the sources of information and
other materials used for teaching.
Violations of the Educator’s Code of Conduct:
Should a learner experience conduct that is inconsistent with the Educator’s Code of Conduct,
he/she is encouraged to first address the issue with either the educator responsible for the
inconsistency or the director of the course in which the educator teaches. Should this attempt to
resolve the problem fail, or if the nature of the inconsistency is such that the learner does not feel
comfortable addressing the issue with either the educator or the course director, the student may
consult other individuals. These individuals may include but are not limited to: the student’s
academic advisor, faculty advisor, director/professor-in-charge of the undergraduate program, and
the department head. The decision of who to contact may be dependent on the educational
program of the learner and/or type of violation that was encountered. Students should go to the
department’s website to locate appropriate individuals but are encouraged to begin with their
instructors and their instructors’ supervisors if the instructor is a graduate student.
PSU Academic Administrative Policies and Procedures
Please refer to this website for the most up-to-date information:
http://www.psu.edu/oue/aappm/.
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Copyright Protections
All course materials students receive or to which students have online access are protected by
copyright laws. Students may use course materials and make copies for their own use as
needed, but unauthorized distribution and/or uploading of materials without the instructor’s
express permission is strictly prohibited. University Policy AD 40, Recording of Classroom
Activities and Note Taking Services, addresses this issue. Students who engage in the
unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials may be held in violation of the University’s
Code of Conduct and/or liable under Federal and State laws.
Disclaimers
Please note that the specifics of this course syllabus can be changed at any time and you will
be responsible for abiding by any such changes. Your instructor will notify you of any changes
in class and in writing.
It is ultimately the responsibility of the student to read, understand, and keep current
with the course syllabus. Please contact me with questions regarding the syllabus
accordingly, and in an appropriate timely fashion.
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