Contemporary Perspectives

 Learning Activities:

 1. Learning Modules: This course is comprised of three (3) learning modules.  The faculty will post a learning module on WebCT pertaining to the topic under discussion.  This module will contain required readings, activities or other learning opportunity. 

 2. Discussion Board or Blog Postings:Students will be assigned to discussion groups. Individuals in each group will respond to the designated discussion question(s) and participate in the group's discussion of the assigned topic. All students are expected to use current professional literature and other relevant resources in the discussions. References should be posted to the related section of the discussion board. Each student should participate by answering all discussion questions as well as responding to and engaging peers in the discussion. These postings are due by 10:00 pm on assigned dates.  See the course calendar for specific dates. Discussion responses should be substantive, incorporating additional information from research / journal articles, policy papers, or other professional sources. Postings should be succinct and threaded appropriately. All postings will be made directly on the discussion board/blog (do not attach a Word document as your discussion posting.)  Discussion/blog topics posted as attachments are difficult to read and therefore will not be graded. 

 All references will be from peer  reviewed journals.

 Topics:

1. Communication
2. Decision making for  the advanced practice nurse
3. Ethics, values and evidence based practice
4. Health care delivery and health care policy
5. Quality, information and cultural implications for  advanced practice

 Textbooks:

 American Psychological Association (2009). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6^th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

 Barker, A. M. (Ed.) (2009).  Advanced practice nursing:  Essential knowledge for the profession. Sudbury, MA:  Jones and Bartlett Publishers

 Microphone for computer to participate in electronic classroom discussions.  Camera is nice, but not required

 In addition to the course textbooks, students and faculty will reference current literature for the exploration of issues in this course.

 Evaluation:

 Course requirements and their associated contributions to the final grade are as follows: 

Note: An overall course grade of at least 80% must be achieved to progress in the Master of Science in Nursing Program. See pages 125-126 in the Graduate Catalog.

 Discussions will be graded using the following criteria:

 A=  Participated in all aspects of the course.  Contributions were substantive and demonstrated growth in depth and breadth of thinking.  Challenged peers/countered their arguments.  Supported position with appropriate literature and expertise.

 B= Participated in all aspects of the course.  Most contributions were substantive.  Some growth demonstrated in depth and breadth of thinking.  Hesitant to challenge peers or counter their arguments.  Support for position not always substantiated or referenced.

 C= Is late to participate in the course.  Contributions are sparse and add little to the discussion.  Seldom/never challenges peers or seldom/never enters into challenging discussion.  Support for argument is based on personal opinion.  Seldom uses current literature

Evaluation:

Course requirements and their associated contributions to the final grade are as follows:

Note: An overall course grade of at least 80% must be achieved to progress in the Master of Science in Nursing Program. See pages 125-126 in the Graduate Catalog.

Discussions will be graded using the following criteria:

A =  Participated in all aspects of the course.  Contributions were substantive and demonstrated growth in depth and breadth of thinking.  Challenged peers/countered their arguments.  Supported position with appropriate literature and expertise.

B = Participated in all aspects of the course.  Most contributions were substantive.  Some growth demonstrated in depth and breadth of thinking.  Hesitant to challenge peers or counter their arguments.  Support for position not always substantiated or referenced.

C = Is late to participate in the course.  Contributions are sparse and add little to the discussion.  Seldom/never challenges peers or seldom/never enters into challenging discussion.  Support for argument is based on personal opinion.  Seldom uses current literature

Appendix A provides specific criteria we will use to evaluate graded discussions.

All course work will be accomplished on Blackboard and the course Blog. APA format is required for formal papers and blog submissions

Timeliness of Work:  We expect that your work will be turned in on time.  A deduction will be taken every 24 hours a posting to the discussion board /blog is late.

Students are expected to fully participate in all virtual classroom activities and discussion assignments

Technological Requirements:  This course is entirely on-line.  Students must have access to reliable and fast internet service. .Dial-up service will make it difficult for students to participate in virtual classroom activities.  Students must possess, at a minimum, the following skills: (1) access Internet course and maneuver around websites; (2) use basic word processing tools such as indent, bold, italicize, and change spacing; (3) upload or attach files;  (4) access and send email; (5) utilize search engines such as Google to find scholarly support for course work .

Honor System:

Students enrolled in this course will/must adhere to the MSU Code of Conduct.  In particular, academic dishonesty, however small, creates a breach in academic integrity.  A student’s participation in this course comes with the expectation that his or her work will be completed in full observance of the MSU Code of Student Conduct.  A student should consult the current Student Handbook for answers to any questions about the code.

Many components of this course are designed to be highly interactive with students helping each other learn.  Students are encouraged to take full advantage of many resources available including online Blackboard course resources, Internet sites, other textbooks and journals, faculty, and peers when answering objectives. This interactive collegial learning environment is conducive for life-long learning.

All components of this course are designed to represent the efforts of each student INDIVIDUALLY and are NOT to be shared, copied, or plagiarized from other sources.  When students submit their efforts for grading, they are attesting they abided by this rule.

Cheating includes, but is not limited to, (1) use of any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations; (2) dependence upon the aid of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or completing other assignments; or (3) the acquisition of tests or other academic materials belonging to the university faculty or staff without permission.

Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, the use of, by paraphrase or direct quotation without correct citation in the text and on the reference list, the published or unpublished works of another person.  Reference or use of other authors’ works will be cited according the 6^th edition of the APA Publication Manual.   Students may NOT submit papers and assignments that they have previously submitted for this or other courses. The use of materials generated by agencies engaged in "selling" term papers is also plagiarism. Students are encouraged to review the tutorials and suggested websites for more information about plagiarism. 

Academic dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism, etc.) will not be tolerated in this class. Whenever a student is unsure of whether a particular situation will be interpreted as academic dishonesty, he/she should ask the instructor for clarification.  If students are guilty of academic dishonesty, a grade of zero (0) will be given for the quiz, assignment, etc.  Cases may also be referred to the Dean of Students for possible dismissal from the university.

 PLEASE NOTE

By enrolling in this course, the student expressly grants MSU a “limited right” in all intellectual property created by the student for the purpose of this course.  The “limited right” shall include but shall not be limited to the right to reproduce the student’s work product in order to verify originality and authenticity, and for educational purposes. Specifically, faculty may submit student papers and assignments to an external agency to verify originality and authenticity, and to detect for plagiarism.

 Americans with Disabilities Act:

 The following is the ADA/504 statement that the faculty approved on May 9, 1995:

Midwestern State University does not discriminate on the basis of an individual's disability and complies with Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act in its admission, accessibility, and employment of individuals in programs and activities.

 MSU provides academic accommodations and auxiliary aids to individuals with disabilities, as defined by law, who are otherwise qualified to meet academic employment requirements. For assistance, call (940) 397-4618 or (940) 397-4515, TDD.

 Please see the instructor outside of class to make arrangements involving special accommodations.

 It is the student's responsibility to declare any disabilities. After declaration, preferably at the beginning of each semester, the student needs to contact individual instructors to determine any reasonable accommodations that may be required.