Assignments

Check the Course Schedule for specific assignments and assigment due dates . The following information provides details and guidelines for course requirements.

Small Group Placements

Before the 5th week of the quarter a list will be distributed to students indicating small group assignments with associated coaches, and meeting rooms .

Values

The course and its assignments are based on the following value system. These values are explicated in order for you to reflect on how you will interface the course, your needs and expectations, the service work you do, and the assignments.

Your instructors and pharmacy professionals place value on:

Personal and professional integrity
Constructive interpersonal interactions
Participation
Service
Working in Groups
Writing

Participation:

We value participation because expression of ideas is crucial to understanding and optimal learning. Participation is experiential, a means of collecting information to use for future understandings and skills.

Examples of participation include:

attending small group discussion session
contributing to the discussions
being prepared to contribute by completing course readings and assignments
working in a service setting
contributing to the community, whether the larger community or the profession
reflecting to enhance understanding

Working in groups:

We value working in groups because effective group membership is an important aspect of professional life that contributes to the quality of patient care and personal wellness.

Working in groups consists of

participating in the small group discussion sessions
facilitating a small group
working at your service site
participating in the large group discussions and other course activities

Writing:

We value expression through writing because it fosters thinking, creativity, self-awareness, learning, and teaching of others.

Written products include:

field notes and reflective journal (for personal use. See email of 1/20/090 for more information and Mindfulness. This link shows you how physicians are being trained to use reflection. Also see this link to demonstrate how a person would write about an experience using reflection and data from field notes.)
required reports
final paper (5 page maximum)

NOTE: All text must be prepared using word processing and printed in a clear and legible font (Times New Roman, size 12). Specific guidelines are provided in the assignment.

The reports are essays and are designed to help you reflect on various concepts central to professional care and being a professional person.

Constructive interpersonal interactions:

We value constructive interpersonal interactions because they reflect our professional and personal values. It is through personal interactions and observations that pharmacists help others and help themselves develop throughout the life span.

Constructive interpersonal interactions include, but are not limited to:

demonstrating respect
acknowledging individuality of experience, affect, beliefs, personhood
offering encouragement and support

Other interpersonal interactions that require excellent communication skills include:

obtaining pertinent information
relaying pertinent information
reporting technical data as it applies to the concepts of this course
interpreting information
using appropriate vocabulary
creating a small group environment that is safe for the participants
getting and receiving help
managing ambiguity
problem-solving
critical thinking

Personal and professional integrity:

We value personal and professional integrity. Webster's New World Dictionary defines integrity as "the quality or state of being of sound moral principle; uprightness, honesty, and sincerity." This is interpreted to include, but not limited to, taking responsibility for one's actions, truthfulness in dealing with others, and maintaining confidentiality. Plagiarism (using others' works without appropriate citations) and cheating (defrauding, tricking, swindling, or other forms of dishonesty for personal gain) are the antithesis of integrity.

This course is designed to respond to the Pew Health Professions Commission Report regarding education of health professionals. View the report by clicking on the underlined word in this paragraph.

Service Project:

The Service Project is designed to give you the opportunity to

explore caring relationships including those practiced by others
reflect on communication as it relates to developing, maintaining, and terminating caring relationships,
assess the effects of culture and values on health care beliefs and communication,
explore how a social agency identifies and meets client needs,
consider how pharmacists can be a resource for patients who have needs that can be met through social service agencies,
build your portfolio,
explore the activities and behaviors described by the values of participation, working in groups, writing, constructive interpersonal interactions, personal and professional integrity, and service
identify and practice advocavy skills as they relate to patients and the profession

Service-Learning Assignments: Check with Carlson

Grading Guidelines

Required Papers: (50%)
Participation as contracted at the service site. (Failure to honor the contract is an automatic failure in the course.)
Small group facilitation and participation (50%)

Also see Course Policies