Main Content
Syllabus
Course Description | Overview | Topical Outline | Objectives | Materials | Technical Requirements | Course Requirements and Grading | Course Schedule | Academic Integrity | Policies
Course Description
NURS 245: Violence and the Impact on Society [3SH (3, 0)]: Interdisciplinary discussion of violence, its perpetrators, victims and its impact on society as well as possible solutions for violence reduction. Prerequisites: None
Key to Semester Hour Designation: 3 SH (3,0) = 3 Semester Hours
3 semester hours in lecture, 0 semester hours in lab/clinical
Each semester hour in lecture = 50 minutes contact
Each semester hour in lab/clinical = 3 hours (or 180 minutes) contact
Therefore, this 3-credit course would meet for three (3) 50-minute lecture periods and zero (0) hours of clinical hours per week over a semester.
In general, you should plan on spending 6-9 hours per week on the course. For a more detailed look at what each lesson entails, as well as due dates for assignments and activities, see the Course Schedule.
Overview
This course will provide an overview of violence and its impact on the society around all of us--foreign and domestic--local and national--community and familial and the impact on healthcare systems, schools, healthcare professionals, administrators, and the surrounding community. This course will explore a variety of topics many of which will be introduced to students. That is we will talk about violent acts by individuals and/or groups and are open to exploring any type of violence. Violence is defined differently by each person and can be based on personal experience, geography, and profession. The topics of sexual assault, rape, domestic and relationship/dating violence, stalking, sexual harassment, men's violence against women, workplace violence, and institutional threat assessment, and child abuse.
Throughout the course students will be asked to investigate violence as it relates to our communities. The focus will be to really delve into why people choose violence. We will have lively debates about the choices that members of society make when they have the choice between a violent and non-violent choice. Violence appears in movies, video games, individual behavior, governments, and groups but why does this happen, how does it affect health care as an organization, the clients of healthcare and the professionals who work in the health care environment? Just some of the questions we will consider during this course.
Course Goal
Students will gain knowledge about violence and the impact to society through an interdisciplinary and cross-theoretical approach. Upon course completion, students will (1) experience increased awareness to the prevalence, causes, consequences of the different types of violence impacting societies; (2) know how to apply knowledge of human behavior and social change strategies; (3) have the ability to practice professional judgement and participate in prevention of violence for the safety and security of vulnerable individuals, families and populations.
Class Climate
The sensitive nature of the course content may stimulate diverse reactions and emotions. Respect and openness for opinions and concerns of others and civil discourse is essential for the learning process. If problems or concerns of a personal nature should arise, please contact the faculty to
share and discuss any course related issues.
Topical Outline
- Introduction to violence in society: statistics, definitions
- Workplace violence and a threat to institutions
- The identification, assessment, and intervention tools and techniques for victims of sexual, domestic, dating & relationship violence.
- Child abuse and human trafficking: Borderless international violence
- Violence against vulnerable populations: disabled children and adults, the elderly, the LGBT community
- School and campus violence: Bullying and perpetrators profiles
- Role of society’s members in the prevention and reduction of violence
- Looking to solutions and resources; Activism and Social Change strategies
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course you will:
- Differentiate violence from adaptive aggression as a neurobiological response.
- Examine the impact of violence on individuals, families, communities, schools, the workplace, and healthcare systems.
- Articulate the complicated issues and variables surrounding violence in societies.
- Analyze the global nature of gender violence.
- Demonstrate assessment, current intervention, and referral techniques for victims of violence and their families.
- Identify appropriate local & national resources that increase the incidence of victim reporting.
- Discuss the benefits of improved identification of violence victims.
- Discuss options for violence prevention, inspired by principles of social justice and equity, for local communities and global societies.
General Education Learning Objectives
- GLOBAL LEARNING – the intellectually disciplined abilities to analyze similarities and differences among cultures; evaluate natural, physical, social, cultural, historical, and economic legacies and hierarchies; and engage as community members and leaders who will continue to deal with the intricacies of an
ever-changing world. Individuals should acquire the ability to analyze power; identify and critique interdependent global, regional, and local cultures and systems; and evaluate the implications for people’s lives. - SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ETHICAL REASONING – the ability to assess one's own values within the social context of problems, recognize ethical issues in a variety of settings, describe how different perspectives might be applied to ethical dilemmas, and consider the ramifications of alternative actions. Individuals should acquire the self-knowledge and leadership skills needed to play a role in creating and maintaining healthy, civil, safe, and thriving communities.
Evaluation Methods (Dependent on Site)
Evaluation methods may include quizzes, examinations, written assignments, simulations, reflective journaling, care planning, and mid-course and final clinical performance evaluations.
Required Course Materials
Most World Campus courses require that students purchase materials (e.g., textbooks, specific software, etc.). To learn about how to order materials, please see the Course Materials page. You should check LionPATH approximately 3–4 weeks before the course begins for a list of required materials.
NOTE: Course textbook (required and recommended) selections are dependent on program faculty and campus site. The College of Nursing uses the current APA Manual criteria for all written assignments. The APA manual is listed as an optional material for purchase. Recommended APA formatting resources are available in the course for reference.
Many of the University Libraries resources can be utilized from a distance. Through the Libraries website, you can
- access magazine, journal, and newspaper articles online using library databases;
- borrow materials and have them delivered to your doorstep—or even your desktop;
- get research help via email, chat, or phone using the Ask a Librarian service; and
- much more.
You must have an active Penn State Access Account to take full advantage of the Libraries' resources and service. The Off-Campus Users page has additional information about these free services.
Technical Requirements
| Operating System | Canvas, Penn State's Learning Management System (LMS), supports most recent versions of Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac operating systems. To determine if your operating system is supported, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
|---|---|
| Browser | Canvas supports the last two versions of every major browser release. It is highly recommended that you update to the newest version of whatever browser you are using. Note: Cookies must be enabled, and pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows from Penn State websites. |
| Additional Canvas Requirements | For a list of software, hardware, and computer settings specifically required by the Canvas LMS, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
| Additional Software | All Penn State students have access to Microsoft Office 365, including Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. |
| Hardware | Monitor: Monitor capable of at least 1024 x 768 resolution |
| Mobile Device (optional) | The Canvas mobile app is available for versions of iOS and Android. To determine if your device is capable of using the Canvas Mobile App, please review the Canvas Mobile App Requirements. |
Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ)
During the semester you will receive information for completing the Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ). Your participation is an opportunity to provide anonymous feedback on your learning experience. Your feedback is important because it allows us to understand your experience in this course and make changes to improve the learning experiences of future students. Please monitor email and course communications for links and availability dates.
Additional Software
One of the benefits of being a registered Penn State student is that you are eligible to receive educational discounts on many software titles. If you are interested in learning more about purchasing software through our affiliate vendor, please visit the Buying Software section of the Course Materials page.
Technical Support
If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the Service Desk.
For registration, advising, disability services, help with materials, exams, general problem solving, visit World Campus Student Services!
Course Requirements and Grading
|
Category
|
Weight
|
| Assignments |
30%
|
| Discussions |
30%
|
| Journal Assignments | 10% |
| Presentation | 30% |
| Total |
100% |
Violence in Society Presentation
One of the main assignments for this course will be to choose a topic and create a presentation to share with your peers. You will begin working on this assignment in Lesson 2. See the Violence in Society Presentation Overview for guidelines.
Academic Success Plan
The Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing Academic Success Plan is designed to support academic achievement. Students, in collaboration with the Academic Success Coach and the nursing faculty, are strongly encouraged to actively participate in the Academic Success Plan for theory and clinical components of this course. An Academic Success Plan can be initiated by the course coordinator, clinical faculty, academic adviser, or the student in conjunction with the Academic Success Coach for an examination grade <77%, clinical skill performance, or any other academic performance issues. For the purposes of the Academic Success Plan, an examination constitutes any assessment worth 10% or more of the final course grade. Participation in the Academic Success Plan is voluntary, and the student is responsible for follow through and completion of the Academic Success Plan.
Assignment Policies
- Assignments and course discussions all have a due date for submission to the course instructor. The due dates for each are noted in the Course Schedule section of this syllabus, below. Please make every effort to submit assignments on time, or notify the instructor in advance of a late assignment. Late assignments will be penalized with a 10% grade deduction for each day late unless you have made prior arrangements with the instructor. Deadlines will be defined as 11:55 p.m. Eastern Time on the last day of the lesson timeframe, unless noted differently.
- If you know you will be offline the day an assignment is due, please make sure to post it early. Anytime you feel that you might be falling behind in the course, it is best to contact the instructor to discuss your situation. No assignments can be accepted after 11:55 p.m. Eastern Time on the final day of class. If you have an assignment completed by the deadline but are unable to submit to the drop box or post in the forum for technical reasons, contact the IT Service Desk. However, you must submit or post the assignment in the drop box or forum once that becomes available to receive your grade and feedback for the assignment.
- The College of Nursing uses the current APA Manual criteria for all written assignments.
- The articles that you are required to find for any assignments must be cited and must be current, meaning within the last five years.
- For activities where a written document is needed, you are required to use Microsoft Word to complete your activity. Once you have uploaded your file to an activity, it is a good idea to click the link to the file to make certain that it is viewable or accessible for downloading. For lengthy discussion posts, it is recommended that you draft your post using Notepad (PC) or TextEdit (Mac) and then copy and paste the information into your discussion. That way you will have a copy saved on your computer should anything go wrong!
- You will receive assignment grades and feedback privately within the specific assignment drop box or discussion forum. You can always check your grades through the Grades link on the left menu or through the gradebook on the Reports link.
- Please keep a copy of ALL your work. We cannot assume responsibility for lost items.
Course Schedule
- Spring and Fall Semesters: 16 weeks
- Summer Semester: 13 weeks
- Accelerated Format: 7.5 weeks
| Unit / Lesson | Activity |
|---|---|
| Getting Started |
*Refer to the Canvas Orientation and the provided resources throughout the course as necessary. |
| Lesson 1 Introduction to Violence in Society, Statistics, Definitions |
|
| Lesson 2 Issues of Culture |
|
| Lesson 3 Identification, Assessment, and Intervention Tools and Techniques for Victims of Violence |
|
| Lesson 4 Epidemiology of Violence |
|
| Lesson 5, Part 1 Global Violence |
|
| Lesson 5, Part 2 Global Violence |
|
| Lesson 5, Part 3 Global Violence |
|
| Lesson 6 Workplace Violence |
|
| Lesson 7 Threat Assessment for Individuals and Institutions |
|
| Lesson 8 Child Abuse |
|
| Lesson 9 Stalking |
|
| Lesson 10 Role of Society Members in Prevention and Reduction |
|
| Lesson 11 Position Presentation Assignment |
|
| Lesson 12 Reviewing Topics of Violence |
|
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity free from fraud and deceptions and is an educational objective of this institution. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:
- cheating,
- plagiarizing,
- fabricating of information or citations,
- facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by others,
- having unauthorized possession of examinations,
- making copies in any manner of exams or papers,
- submitting work of another person or work previously used without informing the instructor, and
- tampering with the academic work of other students.
At the beginning of each course, it is the responsibility of the instructor to provide a statement clarifying the application of academic integrity criteria to that course. A student charged with academic dishonesty will be given oral or written notice of the charge by the instructor. If students believe they have been falsely accused, they should seek redress through normal discussion with the instructor, department head, dean, or campus executive officer. If the instructor believes that the infraction is sufficiently serious to warrant referral of the case to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response, or if the instructor will award a final grade of “F” in the course because of the infraction, the student and instructor will be afforded formal due process (review Academic Integrity information, policy, and procedure on the College of Nursing website).
How Academic Integrity Violations Are Handled
In cases where academic integrity is questioned, procedure requires an instructor to notify a student of suspected dishonesty before filing a charge and recommended sanction with the college. Procedures allow a student to accept or contest a charge. If a student chooses to contest a charge, the case will then be managed by the respective college or campus Academic Integrity Committee. If a disciplinary sanction also is recommended, the case will be referred to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response..
All Penn State colleges abide by this Penn State policy, but review procedures may vary by college when academic dishonesty is suspected. Information about Penn State's academic integrity policy and college review procedures is included in the information that students receive upon enrolling in a course. To obtain that information in advance of enrolling in a course, please contact us.
Additionally, World Campus students are expected to act with civility and personal integrity; respect other students' dignity, rights, and property; and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their own efforts. An environment of academic integrity is requisite to respect for oneself and others, as well as a civil community.
For More Information on Academic Integrity at Penn State
Please see the Academic Integrity Chart for specific college contact information or visit one of the following URLs:
- Penn State Academic Integrity site
- Penn State Senate Policy on Academic Integrity
- Turnitin (a web-based plagiarism detection and prevention system)
Course Policies
Registration Status
All students in "Registration Not Complete" status must resolve issues before the first day of clinical or before the 10th day after classes begin, whichever comes first. Students who do not complete registration will not be able to remain in nursing clinical courses. University policy on completing registration can be found at the Office of the University Registrar.
Attendance, Student Responsibilities, and Conduct
- Attendance and participation in all scheduled classes is expected and will be monitored. Excessive absence can seriously affect a student's success in passing this course.
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If an evaluative event (exam, quiz, presentation or other form of assessment for grading) will be missed due to an unavoidable absence, the student must contact the instructor prior to the scheduled evaluative event.
- If the student does not contact the course coordinator/instructor prior to the evaluative event, it will be considered an unexcused absence and an opportunity to take a make-up exam will not be offered.
- Students will be held responsible for using only legitimate, unavoidable reasons for requesting a make-up in the event of a missed class or evaluative event. Requests for missing class or an evaluative event due to reasons that are based on false claims may be considered violations of the policy on Academic Integrity.
- Students are responsible for keeping track of changes in the course syllabus made by the instructor throughout the semester.
- Students are responsible for monitoring their grades.
- If extra credit assignments are offered, they must be offered to all students and should not be used to boost the grade of an individual student.
- Behaviors that disrupt other students' learning are not acceptable and will be addressed by the instructor.
- For severe and chronic problems with student disruptive behavior, please refer to Penn State Student Affairs Conduct Information for Faculty and Staff web site.
- Students are responsible for following appropriate netiquette (network etiquette) when communicating with their instructor and classmates. Pursuing a degree online has its challenges! We've created a series of tips and strategies to help you achieve your academic goals.
Additional Course Policies
For information about additional policies regarding Penn State Access Accounts; credit by examination; course tuition, fees, and refund schedules; and drops and withdrawals, please see the World Campus Student Center website.
If you have a crisis or safety concern, mental health services are available to you as a Penn State student. Crisis and emergency contacts are available, no matter where you are located:
- Anywhere in the United States: Call the Penn State Crisis Line at 1-877-229-6400 or text LIONS to 741741. You can also contact your local crisis services or hospital for emergencies.
- Outside the United States: Please contact emergency services in your current location. You can also use the International Crisis and Emergency Services listings.
- At University Park: Assistance is available at Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) locations on campus.
- At a Penn State branch campus: You can search for counseling information at your campus.
Disclaimer: Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus are subject to change, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. Your instructor will notify you of any changes.