PH 8150—Public Health Ethics (CRN 88504)
Sheryl Strasser, PhD, MPH, MSW, MCHES
Health Promotion & Behavior
Faculty Accessibility
Course Basics
Fall Term, 2014
Class Day/Time:
Mondays, 9-11:30am
Class Location:
34 Peachtree, Room 515
Prerequisite(s):
None
Required Course Materials
Holland, S. (2007). Public Health Ethics. Malden, MA: Polity Press.
ISBN: 978-0745633022
Instructor(s) of Record:
Sheryl Strasser, PhD, MPH, MSW, MCHES
Office Location:
One Park Place, Suite 630A
Phone Number(s):
404.413.1134
Email:
sstrasser@gsu.edu
Office Hours/Availability:
By appointment. Email instructor
I.
Course Description:
This course addresses a range of issues in public health ethics. The first part of the course will
introduce ethical frameworks and concepts relevant to public health. It also describes the
overlap and distinctions between public health and medical ethics. Students will use a casebased approach to address ethical dilemmas. 3.0 credit hours.
Course Aims: In concert with the ASPH model public health ethics curriculum,1 this course is
designed to
1. Stimulate students’ moral imagination
2. Improve students’ ability to recognize ethical issues in public health practice and research
3. Develop analytic skills
4. Elicit a sense of ethical obligation and responsibility for our work in public health
5. Teach skills for managing ethical ambiguity
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Jennings B, Kahn J, Mastrioianni A, Parker LS. Ethics and Public Health: Model Curriculum. Washington DC;
Association of Schools of Public Health: 2003.
II.
Course Objectives
As a course in the public health doctoral programs core, this course is designed to give students
in the public health doctoral programs foundational, multi-disciplinary training in areas at the
graduate professional degree level as these doctoral students transition into their doctoral
academic degree programs. Students will be expected to demonstrate competence in the
following areas after completion of this course:
Course
Objectives
1.Describe the
difference
between
professional
ethics, research
ethics, bioethics,
and public health
ethics
2.Demonstrate
understanding of
the implications
of the distinctions
and overlaps
between
bioethics,
research ethics,
and public health
ethics
3.Evaluate and
apply decisionmaking
frameworks to
analyze public
health ethical
challenges
Program Competency
Assessment
Method(s)
EVHT 2. Demonstrate knowledge of the implications of
regulations, laws, standards, and various types of policy on
activities aimed at protecting environmental health.
EPID 8. Identify and discuss ethical dilemmas in epidemiologic
research.
Midterm
HMGP 5. Describe the legal bases for public health services.
HPMB 3. Develop expertise in research methods and the ethical
conduct of research to address scientific questions regarding health
promotion research and practice.
EVHT 2. Demonstrate knowledge of the implications of
regulations, laws, standards, and various types of policy on
activities aimed at protecting environmental health.
EPID 8. Identify and discuss ethical dilemmas in epidemiologic
research.
Final
HMGP 5. Describe the legal bases for public health services.
HPMB 3. Develop expertise in research methods and the ethical
conduct of research to address scientific questions regarding
health promotion research and practice.
EVHT 2. Demonstrate knowledge of the implications of
regulations, laws, standards, and various types of policy on
activities aimed at protecting environmental health.
EPID 8. Identify and discuss ethical dilemmas in epidemiologic
research.
HMGP 5. Describe the legal bases for public health services.
HPMB 3. Develop expertise in research methods and the ethical
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Presentations,
in-class
activities,
midterm and
final exam
conduct of research to address scientific questions regarding
health promotion research and practice.
Doctoral students in this course may be required to perform additional doctoral-level
competencies (activities, assignments, etc.). In order to further develop these competencies (i.e.,
teaching, communicating, researching, and performing professional service, etc.), doctoral
students will be required to meet with the course instructor before the second course meeting
and identify these additional doctoral-level course activities, assignments, etc. required of them
in this course. Activities can include, but are not limited to: leading the development and
delivery of a course lesson or presentation for a limited number of class periods, leading a
course discussion, providing outside of class time activities for other students, etc..
III.
Course Assignments and Requirements
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IV.
Readings are completed before arrival to class
Assignments are submitted on time
Writing is clear, concise, and grammatically correct (may want to invest in copy of
Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style or another writing guide and have someone
proof your assignments)
Leaders create engaging activities that apply unique perspectives of selected framework
Grading Policy
Grading consists of:
 30% framework presentations
 30% class participation in activities, which means attendance is critical
 20% midterm
 20% final exam
A = 90-100
B = 80-90
C = 70-80
V.
Attendance and Class Participation Policy
This course assumes informed student participation. General discussion of theory and practices
is expected of all students. At a minimum, being informed requires session attendance,
completion of readings and assignments, and the ability to discuss pertinent concepts
presented / covered in all course materials. If you miss class, you are responsible for obtaining
information about the course content and any other class activities that took place during the
missed class. Be aware of all make-up policies.
VI.
Late Assignments and Make-up Examination Policy
Any assignment turned in late will automatically be lowered one letter grade for each day the
assignment is late. For exams, given that exams in this course, this section are administered
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online—the make-up of a missed test will only be allowed for emergency situations. In order to
make-up a missed test, you must submit official documentation (e.g., a doctor’s note, a letter
from your academic advisor, your employer, etc.) describing the emergency situation. Without
official documentation, as described above, no make-up exams will be given.
VII.
Syllabus Deviation Policy
The course syllabus provides a general plan for the course; deviations may be necessary.
VIII.
Student Code of Conduct and Policy on Academic Honesty
All students at this University are expected to engage in academic pursuits on their won
with complete honesty and integrity. Any student found guilty of dishonesty in any phase of
academic work will be subject to disciplinary action. The complete Academic Honesty policy
is located in the GSU Graduate Catalog, Section 1350: http://enrollment.gsu.edu/catalogs/.
Students and faculty are expected to review and conform to the university’s policy on
academic honesty. Information on the Student Code of Conduct and related policies and
procedures are available at: http://codeofconduct.gsu.edu/.
Special attention should be paid to the sections on plagiarism and multiple submissions:
Plagiarism. Plagiarism is defined as, “appropriating and putting forth as one’s own
the ideas, language, or designs of another” (The Living Webster, 1975) – and it is
strictly forbidden. Written and oral presentations must be a student’s own work.
Students plagiarizing or cheating in any form will face disciplinary action which could
result in an “F” in this course and suspension or expulsion from the University.
Copying from written materials, presentations, websites, etc. without source
acknowledgement and referencing is plagiarism. Read it, appreciate it, learn from it,
and make sure you source it – and then reflect it with your own thoughts and words!
If you are uncertain about what constitutes plagiarism, please contact the instructor.
Multiple Submissions. It is a violation of academic honesty to submit substantial portions of the
same work for credit more than once without the explicit consent of the faculty member(s) to
whom the material is submitted for additional credit. In cases in which there is a natural
development of research or knowledge in a sequence of courses, use of prior work may be
desirable, even required; however, the student is responsible for indicating in writing, as a part
of such use, that the current work submitted for credit is cumulative in nature.
IX.
Disability Accommodations Policy
Students who wish to request accommodation for a disability may do so by registering with
the GSU Office of Disability Services. Students may only be accommodated upon issuance
by the Office of Disability Services of a signed Accommodation Plan and are responsible for
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providing a copy of that plan to instructors of all classes in which an accommodation is
sought. The Office of Disability Services is located in the GSU Student Center, Suite 230 and
online here: http://disability.gsu.edu/.
X.
Course Evaluations Statement
Your constructive assessment of this course plays an indispensable role in shaping
education at Georgia State. Upon completing this course, please take time to fill out the
online course evaluation.
XI.
Career Services
The School of Public Health provides career services & student leadership opportunities
(student clubs & organizations) to all current SPH students and alumni. SPH Career Services
can help students with resume writing, interviewing, job searching, internship development,
and professional networking. Students are invited to attend our career events and
workshops, and individualized career counseling appointments can be arranged. To see
what career panels, career fairs, and events are available this semester, please visit:
http://publichealth.gsu.edu/students/career-resources/. The SPH Career Services office is
co-located with the Office of Academic Assistance in room 640 at One Park Place.
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XII.
Tentative course schedule, topics, and readings
Date
8.25.14
Topic
Welcome & Course Intro
9.1.14
9.8.14
NO CLASS-Labor Day
The study of ethics and
subspecialties;
Moral and Political
Philosophy
9.15.14
9.22.14
Which ethical theory is
best for public health?
Consequentialism
9.29.14
Non-consequentialism
10.6.14
Political Philosophy
10.13.14
MIDTERM
10.20.14
Epidemiology
10.27.14
Health, Promotion, &
Behavior Modification
11.3.14
Immunization
11.10.14
Screening
11.17.14
The Philosophy of Public
Health AND Practical
Importance
THANKSGIVING BREAK
Course Wrap Up
11.24.14
12.1.14
12.8.14
Readings & Assignments
1. Secure textbook.
2. Review Syllabus.
3. Read Chapters 1-3 in Holland by 9.8
4. CITI Training….for those not trained (part of assignment
and participation grade)
1. Read Chapters 1-3 before 9.8
1. Garrett J. Rawls' Mature Theory of Social Justice: An
Introduction for Students. 2005. Available at
http://www.wku.edu/~jan.garrett/ethics/matrawls.htm
#ref
2. Sign up for Framework (2* students per framework)
1. CITI Certificates are DUE
1. Framework #1 presented
2. Related case-scenario / activity/reading
1. Framework #2 presented
2. Related case-scenario / activity/reading
1. Framework #3 presented
2. Related case-scenario / activity/reading
3. Midterm review
1. Exam Online, D2L. Mixed Format of Questions.
2. Read Intro to Part II and Chapter 4 before 10.20
1. Read Chapters 5 and 6 before next session
2. Framework #4 presented
3. Related case-scenario / activity/reading
1. Read Chapter 7 before next session
2. Framework #5 presented
3. Related case-scenario / activity/reading
1. Read Chapter 8 before next session
2. Framework #6 presented
3. Related case-scenario / activity/reading
1. Framework #7 presented
2. Related case-scenario / activity/reading
Readings/Class exercise distributed in class
Review course materials
Review course materials and final exam distributed
Final Exam Due by Noon EST.
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