HR 5453-491 Ethical Issues in Human Relations Counseling

This online seminar course provides an introduction to ethics, ethical reasoning and decision-making, and standards of ethical practice in counseling and other professions. Students will be encouraged to think about themselves as professionals in relation to these codes and standards and to begin working on a personal model for recognizing and resolving ethical and professional concerns. Academic work in this area is required for most counseling-related licenses. Because the course deals with application of principles to practice, it is of interest to students entering other professional fields. This course will be taught in a seminar-style format. This means that you are expected to have read material ahead of time and come to class prepared to discuss. The primary mode of learning will be reading/reflection, discussion, and group activities. 

This is a three-credit hour online course. Please see your local Site Director or email our online site coordinator at [email protected]

Student materials are available at the OU Bookstore Website at https://ou.textbookx.com/institutional/index.php. The website has book selling, renting, buying, returning, and order tracking capabilities. If you need help with an order, or if you have any questions contact the toll-free phone at 1-(855)-790-6637, agents are available from 9a – 5p (EST) Monday – Friday. Text prices are available online

1. Pope, K. S., & Vasquez, M. J. T. (2016). Ethics in psychotherapy and counseling: A practical guide (5 ). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley & Sons. ISBN 9781119195443 (Note: there is a newer version, but we are using the 5th edition)

2. Kidder, R. M. (2009). How good people make tough choices: Resolving the dilemmas of ethical living. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN 9780061743993.

3. Materials posted on the OU Canvas learning management system: Access Canvas at https://canvas.ou.edu (https://canvas.ou.edu/) , enter your OU NetID and password, and select course to access material. If you require assistance with Canvas, please click on the Help icon. You can search the Canvas guides, chat with Canvas support, or contact OU IT. Recommended Reference Text: st th American Psychological Association (2019). Publication manual of the APA (7 ed.). Washington, DC: Author. ISBN 978-1433832161

All official correspondence from instructors will be sent only to students’ ou.edu address.

Email Account and Canvas: Students are expected to check their OU email accounts and the course site on Canvas daily for updates from the instructor

The main objective of this course is to challenge you to formulate your own position on ethical issues and develop your ability to think critically and creatively about cases, and help you articulate how you might deal with ethical issues involved in specific case vignettes. This course will also familiarize you with feminist, multicultural, and social justice perspectives on ethics, and examine ethical and professional issues related to these perspectives. Through this course, the student should: understand major approaches to moral development and ethical reasoning; analyze an ethical issue with thorough consideration for multicultural and social justice issues; understand the ethical responsibilities of a counseling professional; and understand specific standards of certain professional organizations. 

This course will include readings, discussion boards, web-based activities, and written assignments. In detail, specific assignments, due dates, and guidelines will be posted on the class Canvas site. The Kidder Text: What is Ethics and why should we study it? th Using the Kidder text, we will explore why ethics is important, different paradigms of ethics, and how to resolve ethical dilemmas. This text will be read first, and the activities for this part of the course will be discussion boards, and a paper worth 120 points. Due: January 29, 2023 Pope/Vasquez text Using this text, we will study ethics in the helping professions. Activities will include discussions about the text and web-based videos. Due: Weekly Assignments Stories of Psychotherapy: Weinberg and Yalom cases These case studies are available on Canvas, and you will write answers to a series of short answer questions. Due: April 16, 2023 Final paper: The final paper will be a chance to bring together everything that you have learned and apply it to your life. Specific instructions and a grading rubric will be provided for each paper. Due: April 30, 2023

This is a letter-graded course: A, B, C, D, or F. The discussion and activities will count for 50% of your grade, the Kidder paper will count for 20% of your grade, the Weinberg/Yalom answers will count for 10% of your grade, and your final paper will count for 20% of your grade. All assignments will have a point value with an explanation of how you earn maximum points for each assignment. Grading scale: A=90-100%, B=80-89%, C=70-79%, D=60-69%, F=59% and below Notice: Failure to meet assignment due dates could result in a grade of I (Incomplete) and may adversely impact Tuition Assistance and/or Financial Aid. 

Although physical class meetings are not part of this course, participation in all interactive, learning activities is required. Student assignments and student/instructor communications will be conducted via Canvas, although students may contact the instructor via telephone, postal mail, email, or fax as needed. 

Please contact the professor regarding his/her policy for late work. 

If you experience technical problems, contact Information Technology by visiting their website at: http://webapps.ou.edu/it/ or contacting them by telephone at: (405) 325-HELP (4357).

Materials posted on the OU CANVAS system:

Access CANVAS at http://canvas.ou.edu; enter your OU NetID (4+4) and password, and select course to access the material.

Procedures for Completion of Course Evaluation: 

Upon completion of the course students should go to the Advanced Programs Online Learning Information webpage and click on the applicable semester link under “Online Course Evaluation” which will direct them to the evaluation.  The evaluation will take approximately five minutes to complete.  Completion of the online evaluation is an important tool allowing Advanced Programs to gain information and student feedback for improvement of courses.

Your responses will be kept confidential.  They will be reviewed by the department and only supplied to the professor once grades for the course have been submitted.

Materials posted on the OU CANVAS system:

Access CANVAS at http://canvas.ou.edu; enter your OU NetID (4+4) and password, and select course to access material. Please contact your local the IT Help desk at 405-325-HELP if you require assistance.  IT is available 24/7

Statement about the MHR Program Planner and Human Relations Website

Students should become familiar with the MHR Program Planner that was sent to each student upon admission into the program.  The planner has a description of the HR program objectives and requirements, suggestions for graduate study, financial assistance, and graduation information. Of particular interest is the information on the comprehensive exams and the internship.  For further information please visit the Department of Human Relations Website at: http://www.ou.edu/cas/hr

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

The University of Oklahoma is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for all students with disabilities.  Any student in this course who has a disability that may prevent him or her from fully demonstrating his or her abilities should contact me personally as soon as possible so we can discuss accommodations necessary to ensure full participation and facilitate your educational opportunities.  Students with disabilities must be registered with the Office of Disability Services prior to receiving accommodations in this course.  The Office of Disability Services is located in Goddard Health Center, Suite 166, phone 405-325-3852 or TDD only 405-325-4173. For more information please see the Disability Resource Center website http://www.ou.edu/drc/home.html

Civility/Inclusivity Statement:

We understand our members represent a rich variety of backgrounds and perspectives. The Human Relations Department is committed to providing an atmosphere for learning that respects diversity. While working together to build this community we ask all members to:

• share their unique experiences, values and beliefs
• be open to the views of others
• honor the uniqueness of their colleagues
• appreciate the opportunity we have to learn from each other in this community
• value each other’s opinions and communicate in a respectful manner
• keep confidential discussions the community has of a personal (or professional) nature
• use this opportunity together to discuss ways in which we can create an inclusive environment in this course and across the University of Oklahoma community.

Religious Holidays

It is the policy of the University to excuse absences of students that result from religious observances and to provide without a penalty for the rescheduling of examinations and additional required class work that may fall on religious holidays, without penalty.

Attendance/Grade Policy

Attendance and participation in interaction, individual assignments, group exercises, simulations, role playing, etc. are valuable aspects of any course because much of the learning comes from discussions in class with other students. It is expected that you attend all classes and be on time except for excused emergencies.

Excused absences are given for professor mandated activities or legally required activities such as emergencies or military assignments. It is the policy of the University to excuse absences of students that result from religious observances and to provide without penalty for the rescheduling of examinations and additional required class work that may fall on religious holidays. Unavoidable personal emergencies, including (but not limited to) serious illness; delays in getting to class because of accidents, etc.; deaths and funerals, and hazardous road conditions will be excused.

If you are obtaining financial assistance (TA, STAP, FA, VA, Scholarship, etc.) to pay all or part of your tuition cost, you must follow your funding agency/institution’s policy regarding “I” (Incomplete) grades unless the timeline is longer than what the University policy allows then you must adhere to the University policy. Students who receive Financial Aid must resolve/complete any “I” (Incomplete) grades by the end of the term or he/she may be placed on “financial aid probation.” If the “I” grade is not resolved/completed by the end of the following term, the student’s Financial Aid may be suspended make the student ineligible for further Financial Aid.

Students are responsible for meeting the guidelines of Tuition Assistance and Veterans Assistance. See the education counselor at your local education center for a complete description of your TA or VA requirements.

OU faculty will submit grades online through ONE not later than 30 days after the course end date. Course end dates are approximately one calendar month after the final seminar date on this syllabus and are provided on the official scheduling website for reference.

Academic Integrity and Student Conduct 

Academic integrity means honesty and responsibility in scholarship. Academic assignments exist to help students learn; grades exist to show how fully this goal is attained. Therefore all work and all grades should result from the student's own understanding and effort.

Academic misconduct is any act which improperly affects the evaluation of a student’s academic performance or achievement. Misconduct occurs when the student either knows or reasonably should know that the act constitutes misconduct. Academic misconduct includes: cheating and using unauthorized materials on examinations and other assignments; improper collaboration, submitting the same assignment for different classes (self-plagiarism); fabrication, forgery, alteration of documents, lying, etc…in order to obtain an academic advantage; assisting others in academic misconduct; attempting to commit academic misconduct; destruction of property, hacking, etc…; intimidation and interference with integrity process; and plagiarism. All students should review the Student’s Guide to Academic Integrity at http://integrity.ou.edu/students_guide.html 

Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. All students should review policies regarding student conduct at http://studentconduct.ou.edu/ 

Accommodation Statement

The University of Oklahoma is committed to making its activities as accessible as possible. For accommodations on the basis of disability, please contact your local OU Site Director.

Adjustment for Pregnancy/Childbirth-Related Issues

Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact the professor as soon as possible to discuss. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Please see http://www.ou.edu/content/eoo/faqs/pregnancy-faqs.html. 

Title IX Resources

For any concerns regarding gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, or intimate partner violence, the University offers a variety of resources, including advocates on-call 24/7, counseling services, mutual no-contact orders, scheduling adjustments, and disciplinary sanctions against the perpetrator. Please contact the Sexual Misconduct Office at [email protected] or (405) 325-2215 (8-5), or the Sexual Assault Response Team at (405) 615 -0013 (24/7) to report an incident. To learn more about Title IX, please visit the Institutional Equity Office’s website at http://www.ou.edu/content/eoo.html 

Course Policies

Extended Campus (also and formerly known as Advanced Programs) policy is to order books in paperback if available. Courses, dates, and professors are subject to change. Please check with your OU Site Director. Students should retain a copy of any assignments that are e/mailed to the professor for the course. Neither duplicating services nor office supplies are provided.

Any and all course materials, syllabus, lessons, lectures, etc. are the property of professor teaching the course and the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma and are protected under applicable copyright.

For more information about OU Extended Campus, visit our website at: http://www.goou.ou.edu/

Statement on Respect

The classroom should provide a safe learning environment where students can express their views without fear of reprisal. That freedom of expression must be balanced by demonstrated respect for other’s viewpoints and appropriate and reasonable sensitivity, especially within the context of scholarly disagreement.  Disrespectful or uncivil dialogue (including, but not limited to, personal attacks, insults, or harassment) will not be tolerated.

Recording Devices/Phones/Computers

It is important for students to be fully present during class to fully benefit from lectures, discussions, and experiential assignments. Class sessions may not be tape-recorded. All telephones and pagers should be turned off or placed on silent mode. Computers may not be used during class. Students who require an exception to this policy should discuss exceptional circumstances with the professor.

Chad V. Johnson, PhD

Education

• Ph.D.Pennsylvania State University; Major: Counseling Psychology (APA-accredited);
• M.A.Trinity University; Major: School Psychology (NASP-approved)
• B.A.Magna Cum Laude, Texas A&M University; Major: Psychology; Double Minor: Classical Studies and Philosophy

Supplemental Education/Study Abroad:

• Minzu University, Beijing, China -Language and Cultural Studies, Summer 1992
• Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China - Language and Cultural Studies, Summer 1994

Current Positions

• July 2011 – presentAssociate Professor, University of Oklahoma, Department of Human Relations, Schusterman Center, Tulsa, OK. Tenured.
• Jan 2009 – presentClinical Assistant Professor, University of Oklahoma-College of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Schusterman Center, Tulsa, OK
• Dec 2006 – presentInstructor, Advanced Programs/Extended Campus, University of Oklahoma, OUTREACH, Tulsa, OK
• Dec 2008 – PresentPrivate Practice, Tulsa, OK.

Frequently Taught Extended Campus (Advanced Programs) Courses

• HR 5463Counseling Skills in Human Relations
• HR 5100 Post-Traumatic Disorder
• HR 5003Theoretical Foundations of Human Relations
• HR 5453Ethical Issues in HR Counseling

RESEARCH SPECIALTY AREAS

• Social Justice and Community Based Participatory Research
• Psychology and Religion/Spirituality—Buddhist Psychology/Mindfulness
• Group Psychotherapy
• Humanistic, Existential, and Transpersonal Studies

REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

REFEREED PUBLICATIONS (* = student author)

Robbins, B.D., Friedman, H., Johnson, C.V., & Franco, Z. (2018). Subjectivity is no object: Can subject-object dualism be reconciled through phenomenology? International Journal of Transpersonal Studies 37(2), pp. 144-167.

Arias, B.J.,* & Johnson, C.V. (2013). Voices of healing and recovery from childhood sexual abuse. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 22(7), 822-841.

Friedman, H., Krippner, S., Riebel, L., & Johnson, C.V. (2010). Transpersonal and other models of spiritual development. International Journal for Transpersonal Studies, 29(1), 79-94.

Johnson, C.V., Bartgis, J., Worley, J.A., Hellman, C.M., & Burkhart, R. (2010). Urban Indian Voices: A Community Based Participatory Research Project. American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research: The Journal of the National Center, 17(1), 49-70.

BOOKS/MONOGRAPHS

Johnson, C.V., Friedman, H.L., Diaz, J., Franco, Z., & Nastasi, B.K. (Eds.) (2014). The Praeger handbook for social justice and psychology: Vol. 1. Fundamental Issues and special populations. Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger.

Johnson, C.V., Friedman, H.L., Diaz, J., Franco, Z., & Nastasi, B.K. (Eds.) (2014). The Praeger handbook for social justice and psychology: Vol. 2. Well-being and professional issues.  Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger.

Johnson, C.V., Friedman, H.L., Diaz, J., Franco, Z., & Nastasi, B.K. (Eds.) (2014). The Praeger handbook for social justice and psychology: Vol. 3. Youth and Disciplines in Psychology. Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger.

Licensure and Certification

• Licensed Health Service Psychologist. State of Oklahoma (Lic. No: 1070)
• Licensed Psychologist. State of Iowa (Lic. No: 00996, Inactive)
• Nationally Certified School Psychologist. (Cert. No: 31402, 1999-2005, expired)

Major Professional Affiliations

• Psychologists for Social Responsibility
• Oklahoma Counseling Association