12/3/2024 9:23:16 AM	SWHS 87 Course Outline as of Fall 2023	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  SWHS 87	Title:  ETHICAL ISSUES IN HUMAN
Full Title:  Ethical Issues in Social Work and Human Services
Last Reviewed:1/27/2020

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	0		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade Only
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  HUSV 87

Catalog Description:

This is an introductory course focusing on the ethical and legal standards and requirements governing the human service profession. Examines the relationship between personal values and professional behavior. Develops understanding of professional ethics, confidentiality, counselor and client rights and responsibilities, and other ethical issues.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

This is an introductory course focusing on the ethical and legal standards and requirements governing the human service profession. Examines the relationship between personal values and professional behavior. Develops understanding of professional ethics, confidentiality, counselor and client rights and responsibilities, and other ethical issues.

(Grade Only)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 2001	Inactive:
UC Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Analyze existing laws, regulations, and code of ethics relevant to human services

2. Describe application of counselor and clients' rights and responsibilities in human services

3. Examine one's own values and attitudes as they apply to ethical decision making

 

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

 

1. Examine, evaluate and compare the professional standards used in human services agencies.

2. Differentiate and explain counselor and client responsibilities.

3. Distinguish the common employment problems/issues associated with codes of conduct or

    codes of ethics.

4. Assess and analyze professional liability as it relates to Federal and State regulations and case

    law.

5. Examine and evaluate the impact of unethical practice of the human service professional.

6. Explain ethical issues such as informed consent, confidentiality, transference and counter

    transference, sexual misconduct, boundary violations and medical conditions.

7. Analyze cases using components of an ethical decision-making model.

8. Outline and describe the basic components of ethics in a cultural context.

Topics and Scope

I. Introduction of Professional Ethics in Human Services  

     A. Codes of ethics   

    B. Ethical decision making

          1. Feminist model

         2. Transcultural integrative model

         3. Social constructionist model

 

II. Counselor as a Person and Professional

     A. Personal therapy

    B. Countertransference

    C. Client dependence

    D. Coping with stress and burnout

 

III. Values and the Helping Relationship

     A. Value exploration, imposition, and conflict

     B. Referral of client to another professional

    C. Discriminatory referrals and implications

 

IV. Role of Ethics Pertaining to Multicultural Perspectives and Diversity Issues

 

V. Client Rights and Counselor Responsibilities

     A. Informed consent

    B. Record keeping

    C. Working with minors

    D. Basis for malpractice liability

    E. Practical strategies for risk management

    F. Nonmaleficence

 

VI. Examine Confidentiality, Ethical, and Legal Issues

    A. Confidentiality and privileged communication

    B. Limitations of confidentiality

    C. Duty to warn and protect

    D. Landmark court cases and implications

          1. Tarasoff Case

         2. Bradley Case

         3. Jablonski Case

    E. Ethical and legal issues pertaining to suicide

    F. Confidentiality with HIV/AIDS counseling and other medical conditions

 

VII. Legal and Ethical Aspects of Boundaries and Multiple Relationships

     A. Analysis and ethical management of boundaries

    B. Avoidable, unavoidable, and accidental multiple relationships

 

VIII. Examine Professional Competence and Training Issues

    A. Assessment of competence and evaluation of:

         1. Knowledge, skills, and personal functioning

         2. Interpersonal behavior and personal characteristics

         3. Psychological fitness of trainees

     B. Professional licensing and certification

     C. Developing and/or upgrading skills

    D. Making referrals

 

IX. Examine Legal and Ethical Issues in Supervision and Consultation

     A. Informed consent in supervision

    B. Responsibilities of supervisees

    C. Supervisor's role and responsibilities

 

X. Ethical Considerations in the Context of Theory, Practice, and Research Couples and Family

    Therapy, Group Work and Community Work

Assignments:

1. Read textbook and other instructional material of 25-30 pages per week

2. Write reaction essays on current ethical issues and dilemmas

3. Analyze case scenarios, develop plan of resolution, and role-play in individual, dyad, or small

    groups

4. Write reflection paper about ethical and legal practices in human services

5. Chapter quiz(zes) (0-3)

6  Midterm project or exam

7. Final exam

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 10 - 40%
Reflection paper and reaction essays
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 5 - 30%
Case scenarios and problem solving ethical dilemmas
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 5 - 15%
Class performances: individual, dyads, small group problem solving
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 5 - 30%
Quizzes (0-3), midterm project or exam, and final exam
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 5 - 15%
Attendance and participation

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Issues and Ethics in the Helping Professions. 10th ed. Corey, Gerard and Corey, Marianne and Corey, Cindy. Cengage Learning. 2018

Ethics and Decision Making in Counseling and Psychotherapy. 4th ed. Cottone, Roverts and Tarvydas, Vilia. Springer Publishing. 2016

Print PDF