Ethics and Professional Issues

Subject PSYC90008 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 6.25
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

Semester 1, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 1.5 hours of lectures/seminars per week for 12 weeks
Total Time Commitment: 54 hours
Prerequisites:
    The following are prerequsite subjects:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: Completion of APAC approved psychology studies to fourth-year (Honours) level.
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements, Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Carol Hulbert

Contact

Sarah Drew

sarah@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This component is organised around three major areas: theoretical foundations of ethics; ethical problems and the application of ethical principles to practice, and legal and institutional regulations; and codes of practice and guidelines. The exploration, clarification and possible resolution of selected ethical dilemmas commonly faced by psychologists will be covered and may include:

  • psychologist/client relationships (for example, confidentiality, boundary violations, assessment of dangerousness, patient and client rights, professional responsibility, special groups, such as children, employer-psychologist ethical differences);
  • psychologist/institutional relationships (eg. state regulation of professional practice, legal requirements, certification, mandatory reporting, guardianship, unprofessional conduct);
  • research ethics, and personal ethical development.
Objectives: Students will be given the opportunity to become familiar with the ethical codes and guidelines of the APS and the Victorian Psychologists Registration Board and the operation of their regulating bodies; explore in depth, within the context of ethical practice, professional issues related to working with clients or patients, other professionals, employers and employees and institutions and organisations; become familiar with current ethical theories as they relate to professional practice and proficient in analysis of ehtical issues and problems that psychologists are likely to encounter in their professional practice; and develop a personal conceputal framework for approaching ehtical and professional issues.
Assessment:
  1. A mid-semester written assignment of 500 words based on case related material provided in class and related to an ethical dilemma or issue (20%)
  2. An en-of-semester essay of 2000 words (80%)
Prescribed Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Advanced information interpretation skills

Advanced analytic, integration and problem solving skills

Advanced written skills

Related Course(s): Master of Psychology (Clinical Child Psychology)/Doctor of Philosophy
Master of Psychology (Clinical Child)

Download PDF version.