Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

1.     Analyze the historical evolution of theories focused on population health.

2.     Apply selected theories in the assessment of vulnerable populations within developmental, cultural, ethical, legal, and economic contexts.

3.     Operationalize theories in the promotion and protection of optimal levels of health in vulnerable populations.

4.     Collaborate with faculty and peers for evaluative feedback related to interventions with vulnerable populations.

5.     Develop strategies to promote and utilize inter-professional collaboration to enhance optimal health outcomes for vulnerable populations

6.     Synthesize theoretical concepts and principles in the formation of a personal conceptual framework and philosophy for care of vulnerable populations in advanced nursing

practice.

Student Responsibilities and Class Requirements

Students are accountable for policies regarding graduate nursing programs and completion of requirements for all graduate students as stated in the Graduate Catalog and Graduate Student Handbook. Students are responsible for making appointments with faculty concerning class assignments as necessary. This is an online class and students are expected to access the course via Desire2Learn on a regular basis for updates and information. All course requirements must be met in order to pass the course.

Course Orientation

The best way to get oriented to the course is to read the syllabus! In addition, each student should become familiar with the Desire2Learn layout, i.e. how to access the discussion board and submit assignments. If you have questions about the course content, please post your question in the Discussion Board on Desire2Learn under the topic of “Course Questions.”

Desire2Learn Based Readings and Content Modules

The primary purpose of providing additional readings and learning exercises is to supplement the accompanying text. They are not intended as a substitute for the text information. It is intended to assist students in assimilating and integrating facts and ideas from the text and to provide additional information and current trends.

Netiquette. Whether you are an experienced Internet user or a novice one, there are “rules of the road.” These rules are referred to as “netiquette" or "internet etiquette." Please familiarize or refresh yourself at Rules of Netiquette.

Submitting assignments. Attach your assignments as Word documents when you post them in the Dropbox section of Desire2Learn. Please make sure your assignments are in Word 2007 or newer. Always keep a copy of your assignments for your own records. All assignments should be submitted in the format required. APA format should be utilized if a specific format is not disclosed.

Late assignment policy. All assignments are due at 2300 (11:00 PM) on the day due unless otherwise specified. Students are expected to submit assignments by the time they are due. Assignments submitted after the due date and time will receive a deduction of 10% of the total points possible for that assignment for each day the assignment is late. Assignments will be accepted, with penalty as described, up to a maximum of three days late, after which grade of zero will be recorded for the assignment. Students may request an extension by contacting the faculty via email prior to the due date and time. Extensions will not be granted on or after the due date.

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception.

Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters.

We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student.

We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed.

Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, (940) 397-4140.

The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MSUTexas e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed the 6 hours of Communication Core and 2) earned 60 hours. Students may meet this requirement in one of three ways: by passing the Writing Proficiency Exam, passing two Writing Intensive Courses (only one can be in the core), or passing English 2113. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at https://msutexas.edu/academics/wpr, or call 397-4131.

Senate Bill 11 passed by the 84th Texas Legislature allows licensed handgun holders to carry concealed handguns on campus, effective August 1, 2016. Areas excluded from concealed carry are appropriately marked, in accordance with state law. For more information regarding campus carry, please refer to the University’s webpage at https://msutexas.edu/campus-carry/rules-policies.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact MSU Chief of Police at police@msutexas.edu.