Information Package / Course Catalogue
PCG 303 Professional Ethics and Legal Issues
MEF University
Degree Programs
Psychology
General Information For Students
Diploma SupplementErasmus Policy Statement
Psychology
Bachelor Length of the Programme: 4 Number of Credits: 240 TR-NQF-HE: Level 6 QF-EHEA: First Cycle EQF: Level 6

Ders Genel Tanıtım Bilgileri

School/Faculty/Institute Faculty of Education
Course Code PCG 303
Course Title in English Professional Ethics and Legal Issues
Course Title in Turkish Mesleki Etik ve Yasal Konular
Language of Instruction EN
Type of Course Flipped Classroom
Level of Course Seçiniz
Semester Fall
Contact Hours per Week
Lecture: 1.5 Recitation: Lab: Other:
Estimated Student Workload 76 hours per semester
Number of Credits 2 ECTS
Grading Mode Standard Letter Grade
Pre-requisites PCG 106 - Guidance and Psychological Counseling
Expected Prior Knowledge none
Co-requisites None
Registration Restrictions Only Undergraduate Students
Overall Educational Objective To learn the main ethical and legal issues related to the counseling profession.
Course Description This course is designed to introduce students to the principles and issues of professionalism and ethics in counseling. Students will understand the roles, functions, and characteristics of psychological counselors while focusing on ethical, legal, and professional issues. Students will learn to think critically and challenge themselves to make sound decisions when faced with ethical dilemmas.
Course Description in Turkish Bu ders öğrenciler için psikolojik danışmanlıkta profesyonel prensipler ve etik konularına giriş niteliğinde tasarlanmıştır. Öğrenciler etik, yasal ve profesyonel konulara odaklanarak psikolojik danışmanların rollerini, görevlerini ve niteliklerini anlayacaklardır. Etik ikilemlerle karşılaştıklarında öğrenciler eleştirel düşünerek ve kendilerini sorgulayarak doğru kararlar almayı öğreneceklerdir.

Course Learning Outcomes and Competences

Upon successful completion of the course, the learner is expected to be able to:
1) demonstrate awareness of ethical and professional competencies necessary to become an effective psychological counsellor;
2) know the Turkish Psychological Counseling and Guidance Association’s ethical guidelines;
3) recognize potential personal difficulties to overcome as well as understand his/her own competencies, skills, and strengths as a future professional counselor;
4) analyze ethical dilemmas by a sound decision-making process.
Program Learning Outcomes/Course Learning Outcomes 1 2 3 4
1) Thorough knowledge of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology.
2) Understanding of and ability to apply essential research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and data interpretation.
3) Competence to use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry and a scientific approach to solving problems related to behavior and mental processes.
4) Understanding and ability to apply psychological principles, skills and values in personal, social, and organizational contexts.
5) Ability to weigh evidence, to tolerate ambiguity, and to reflect other values that underpin psychology as a discipline.
6) Internalization and dissemination of professional ethical standards.
7) Demonstration of competence in information technologies, and the ability to use computer and other technologies for purposes related to the pursuit of knowledge in psychology and the broader social sciences.
8) Skills to communicate the knowledge of psychological science effectively, in a variety of formats, in both Turkish and in English (in English, at least CEFR B2 level).
9) Recognition, understanding, and respect for the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity.
10) Recognition for the need for, and the skills to pursue, lifelong learning, inquiry, and self-improvement.
11) Ability to formulate critical hypotheses based on psychological theory and literature, and design studies to test those hypotheses.
12) Ability to acquire knowledge independently, and to plan one’s own learning.
13) Demonstration of advanced competence in the clarity and composition of written work and presentations.

Relation to Program Outcomes and Competences

N None S Supportive H Highly Related
     
Program Outcomes and Competences Level Assessed by
1) Thorough knowledge of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology. N
2) Understanding of and ability to apply essential research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and data interpretation. N
3) Competence to use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry and a scientific approach to solving problems related to behavior and mental processes. H Exam,HW,Participation
4) Understanding and ability to apply psychological principles, skills and values in personal, social, and organizational contexts. N
5) Ability to weigh evidence, to tolerate ambiguity, and to reflect other values that underpin psychology as a discipline. N
6) Internalization and dissemination of professional ethical standards. N
7) Demonstration of competence in information technologies, and the ability to use computer and other technologies for purposes related to the pursuit of knowledge in psychology and the broader social sciences. N
8) Skills to communicate the knowledge of psychological science effectively, in a variety of formats, in both Turkish and in English (in English, at least CEFR B2 level). N
9) Recognition, understanding, and respect for the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity. S Participation
10) Recognition for the need for, and the skills to pursue, lifelong learning, inquiry, and self-improvement. S HW,Participation
11) Ability to formulate critical hypotheses based on psychological theory and literature, and design studies to test those hypotheses. N
12) Ability to acquire knowledge independently, and to plan one’s own learning. S Exam,HW
13) Demonstration of advanced competence in the clarity and composition of written work and presentations. H Exam,HW
Prepared by and Date ,
Course Coordinator MUSTAFA ÖZCAN
Semester Fall
Name of Instructor Asst. Prof. Dr. VINCENT HENRY SIENKIEWICZ

Course Contents

Week Subject
1) Introduction to Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling
2) Professional Identity of Counselors
3) Multicultural Competence and Social Justice
4) Client Rights and Counselor Responsibilities
5) Confidentiality and Privileged Communication
6) Competence and Malpractice in Counseling
7) Boundary Issues
8) Technology in Counseling
9) Counseling Children and Vulnerable Adults
10) Counseling Families and Groups
11) Professional Relationships and Private Practice
12) Supervision and Consultation
13) Professional Writing, Conducting Research, and Publishing
14) Resolving Legal and Ethical Issues
15) Final Examination Period
16) Final Examination Period
Required/Recommended ReadingsTextbook: Remley, T. P., & Herlihy, B. (2016). Ethical, legal, and professional issues in counseling. (5 th ed.) Boston: Pearson Education Limited. Guidelines: Psikolojik danışma ve rehberlik alanında çalışanlar için etik kurallar. 8. Baskı. Ankara: Türk Psikolojik Danışma ve Rehberlik Derneği. http://www.pdr.org.tr/userfiles/file/etik.pdf
Teaching MethodsIn order to provide a productive learning environment, I will use a combination of video recorded short lectures, experiential learning activities, and facilitated class discussions. Students are expected to check the syllabus for each week and come to class prepared (having read the chapters and watched the videos) to actively participate in class discussion. Student comments and questions enhance the usefulness of this course for everyone. Therefore, please actively participate in the experiential activities and group discussions. Please do not hesitate to stop me and ask questions at any point during class.
Homework and ProjectsCase Presentation and Discussion of Resolving an Ethical Issue: Groups of 4 or 5 students will each come up with a case that involves an ethical or legal issue that is related to the topic of the week. The case should involve aiming to find a solution to an issue faced in the counseling field. The case could take place in a school setting, a mental health institution, or could involve the community at large. The groups will each present their case and lead a class discussion on how to resolve the ethical and legal issues involved in the case using the ethical decision making process learned in class. Asking questions to your classmates and finding creative ways of getting them involved in the ethical decision making process is essential. A 1-2 pages of write up of the case and the group’s response for the resolution of the issue should be uploaded to Blackboard together with the presentation before class on the day the presentation is due.
Laboratory Work
Computer Use
Other Activities
Assessment Methods
Assessment Tools Count Weight
Attendance 1 % 20
Presentation 1 % 40
Midterm(s) 1 % 40
TOTAL % 100
Course Administration

ECTS Student Workload Estimation

Activity No/Weeks Hours Calculation
No/Weeks per Semester Preparing for the Activity Spent in the Activity Itself Completing the Activity Requirements
Course Hours 14 1 2 1 56
Homework Assignments 1 10 10
Midterm(s) 1 8 2 10
Total Workload 76
Total Workload/25 3.0
ECTS 2