Online Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy (BA)

This course concentrates on the major functions, structures and processes that underline ethical issues within the American Criminal Justice System. This course will explore the structure and nature of the various types of ethical debates within the American judicial system. There will be an assessment of the ethics in criminal justice, as it explores the issues of morality, virtue, honesty, and making ethical decisions in the United States criminal justice system. Assessments of various issues will be examined as they relate to decision making and ethics.

This course is a study of the ethical considerations in communication. It will examine the main ethical issues in interpersonal and mediated communication, including such topics as objectivity, freedom of expression, representations of sex, violence and other human behavior, privacy, confidentiality and obligations to the public.

With all of the cases regarding corruption, scandals and unethical behavior in businesses, how does one do the right thing? This course explores the moral and ethical responsibilities of managers and their direct reports. Topics of discussion include organizational justice, human resource practices (i.e. employee selection, salary administration, employee relations), and corporate/social responsibility.

This course is an examination of moral issues and dilemmas within the health care profession based on associated ethical theories and principles. The course puts special emphasis on patient's rights, social justice of health care, and evolving health care technologies.

This course is a study of environmental issues from a moral and philosophical approach. Issues raised in the course include the moral obligation, or lack thereof, to preserve and protect the environment, the ethical presumptions that underlie environmental policy, the traditional theories of moral philosophy applicable to contemporary environmental problems, and the potential for a new conception of the relationship between humanity and nature.

This course is the study of ethical dilemmas that arise in the practice of medicine, biomedical research, and healthcare policies. We will learn when to use one ethical principle over another in making ethical judgments and decision making. For example, when is it okay to take away individual civil liberties for the greater good, such as instituting lockdowns, quarantines and forced business closures during a pandemic? The CDC and WHO operate using utilitarian principles to protect everyone, but they do so at the expense of taking away some people’s freedom. On the other hand, there are situations in which using the utilitarian principle would be the most unethical course of action. For example, even though slavery benefited the majority of people in this country economically, it was immoral to deprive any individual of their civil rights. The abolitionists were correct to choose the deontological principle to argue, and fight for, the freedom of the slaves. Those are obvious examples, but there are many that are very hard to figure out. This course will provide a framework and guidance for critically thinking through biomedical issues. Whether or not you are heading for a career in the medical profession, this course will help you make good decisions concerning your own health and well-being.

Legal and Ethical Principles in Healthcare introduces major concepts and functions of government and law applicable to healthcare throughout our global society. Theoretical health law and governing policies are investigated along with regulations of health quality. Students will analyze ethical dilemmas and utilize an ethical decision-making framework to solve complex legal and ethical problems faced by healthcare practitioners. (Prerequisite: ENGL110, PBHE111 and PBHE112)

Healthcare administrators comply with health policy on a day-to-day basis and influence the drive for change to improve policies across the healthcare system. Principles for planning, managing, and evaluating healthcare policies and programs are examined. Students will explore modern and historical issues and determine the theoretical basis for the healthcare system to include the epidemiology for major health policy issues. Students will examine alternate opportunities to enhance healthcare systems from the perspective of health providers, community leaders, and community residents.

This course is a basic study of the professional language of medicine. It is designed to include word construction, pronunciation, spelling, definition and use of terms related to all areas of medical science, hospital service and health related professions. The course uses a systems based approach that provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to derive meaning from common medical terms. Students will deconstruct medical word construction and language, as well as the derivation, roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Various structures and organization of bodily systems will also be examined.

The purpose of this course is to introduce the students in Health Information Management to the historical development of the health care field with emphasis on the organizational structure of health institutions: federal, state, local agencies and allied health associations. The course also addresses the theoretical and practical applications of health information management, the Health Information Department, its functions, and an overview of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA®). The course includes definitions of, standards for, and the development of the health record (both electronic and paper-based) as to content, format, evaluation, completion, legal and regulatory aspects and automation. The course content also consists of numbering systems and methods; the use of accessory equipment and technology; conversion systems; the master patient index; filing systems and control; evaluation methods; electronic health records, and supplies and equipment. Documentation issues, along with indexes, registers, and health data collection are also introduced. AHIMA® is a registered trademark of the American Health Information Management Association.

This course will introduce students to the healthcare delivery systems including organization, accreditation, licensure, and regulatory agencies. Students will examine the historic development, organization and characteristics of the health care delivery systems; current payment and reimbursement systems for each healthcare delivery systems; accrediting agencies applicable to health care; the functions of health care providers; organizational patterns of health care facilities; medical staff organization and bylaws. The work of accrediting, licensing, and certifying agencies, such as that of the Joint Commission, the American Osteopathic Association, Medicare, and Medicaid will be discussed in detail for each health care area.

This course examines the emerging technology of Electronic Health Records through conceptual theory of health information systems used in health care delivery systems including terminology and essential concepts of health information systems. An overview of varied automated administrative, clinical and financial systems is given. Additionally, the course covers structure of electronic health records (EHRs). Content includes overview of health care industry’s transitioning to electronic health record systems, components of EHRs, technologies used for input into EHRs, and privacy and security issues affecting access to and use of patient information.

This Project Management course examines project management in theory and practice and the roles and responsibilities of the health information project manager. The course offers a practical approach to managing projects, focusing on organizing, planning, and controlling the efforts of the project. Additionally, this course covers project, enterprise, financial and contract managements in a health information environment. Students will examine system selection processes and develop negotiating skills in the selection process. The principles and approaches to the assessment of quality in health care and how this impacts the role of the health information manager will be examined.

This course offers an overview of the field of health informatics and analytics by providing students with the fundamental knowledge of the concepts of health informatics applications as they relate to the collection, storage, retrieval, communication and optimal use of health related data and how technology can be used in the delivery of health care. The basic principles of health informatics and analytics that govern communication systems, clinical decisions, information retrieval, telemedicine, bioinformatics and evidence based medicine will be explored.

This course is designed to give the student an insight into the procedures and techniques that can be used to analyze health care data. The course will focus on the "how to" of systems by demonstrating fundamental skills and techniques that can be applied immediately to the management and governance of healthcare data. This course covers fundamentals of health care workflow process analysis and redesign as a necessary component of complete practice automation.

This course presents information and insight that identifies the challenging and overarching issues surrounding Heath Care Administration. It carefully examines the broad functions, operations and tools of the field and emphasizes the need for excellence in the management of health services. This course will assist students as they prepare for health services management careers and provides an ongoing program of professional development for those already employed in health professions. The course is divided into three parts: Managing in Health Services Environments, Managerial Tools and Techniques, and Managing Relationships.

This course examines Health Service Administration, primarily The Structuring Policies of Federal, State, and Local Organizations. PBHE112 reveals the framework of the United States Healthcare System; the organization and administration of health services; the roles of international, federal, state, and local health organizations; and the barriers to health services delivery.

This course introduces students to the wellness concept, which builds the foundation for health literacy and an appreciation for life-long health and physical fitness. The components of wellness will be studied in this class, including physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, environmental, and occupational, with the goal of promoting and advocating for self-responsibility, health literacy, and a life-long commitment to wellness.

This course discusses the important role that public health plays in the United States. Students will examine how behavioral, epidemiological, environmental and social factors influence the public’s health, and how public health professionals develop appropriate intervention strategies to improve the nation’s health. Students will also explore future challenges facing public health professionals in the 21st century.

This course is an examination of moral issues and dilemmas within the health care profession based on associated ethical theories and principles. The course puts special emphasis on patient's rights, social justice of health care, and evolving health care technologies.

This course provides an introduction to the economics of natural resource management and environmental policy. Topics include benefit-cost analysis, valuation, market failure, pollution control, sustainable development, market-based environmental policy, and the economics of renewable and non-renewable resource management.

This course is an introduction to environmental policy, regulation, and law in the U.S. Subjects covered will include command and control of regulation, air quality, water quality, control of toxic materials, waste management, energy, and natural resources.

Physical Geography includes the study of processes of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere. Specific topics include maps and map reading, temperature cycles, storms formation, plate tectonic theory, structures of volcanoes, flooding, coastline formation, glaciations, ice ages, and the distribution of plants and animals on the planet. This course is an excellent choice for anyone with interest in environmental studies, natural hazards and the science behind earth processes. NOTE: This course requires the student to purchase additional materials that are not covered by the book grant. Please refer to the Course Materials section for additional details.

This course provides a technical and organizational foundation for understanding the use and importance of information systems and information technology in today's management environment. This course covers the hardware, software, and infrastructure that support management information systems. Information and decision support systems, knowledge management and specialized information systems, database management systems, telecommunications, the Internet, Intranets, Extranets, and wireless networks will be examined. This course also covers systems development, e-commerce, and the ethical and societal impact of management information systems.

This course examines information security issues and the law. The rapid growth of technology has given rise to legal issues surrounding technology. Information security is the practice of protecting information to ensure the goals of confidentiality, integrity and availability are met. Information security makes sure that accurate information is available to authorized individuals when it is needed. When governments, private organizations, and individuals do a poor job of protecting the information entrusted to them, legislatures respond with new laws. The course will examine key conflicts involving technology and the legal system to include: privacy issues, civil, criminal, and administrative law, Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), Sarbanes Oxley, and information security governance. This course examines current literature on such topics.

This course is an overview of computer information systems in which hardware, software, procedures, systems, and databases are explored in relation to their integration and application in business and other segments of society. Telecommunications and network concepts are introduced as a basis for understanding of the Internet and e-commerce capabilities.

This is a course in college trigonometry. It synthesizes topics from college algebra courses such as MATH110, extends the students' studies to trigonometry, and introduces topics in analytical geometry. It covers a variety of mathematical concepts and techniques that are important to those continuing into more advanced math and math-related classes. Practical applications are provided throughout the course. The course concentrates on various trigonometric functions, identities, and equations as well as the application of trigonometry to real-life situations. The final part of the course includes polar coordinates and vectors. While there are no prerequisites for MATH111, it is very highly recommended that the student has completed MATH110 College Algebra or an equivalent college-level course. The course assumes the student is completely comfortable with the language of algebra, equations and inequalities, polynomials, factoring, and rational expressions. If a lower-level math course has not been completed recently, we recommend that students take MATH100, MATH101, or MATH110. This class is recommended only for students with prior math experience and who have an adequate amount of time to pursue a highly accelerated course of study in eight weeks.

This course introduces students to the concepts of analytic geometry. Some of the most important applications in physical sciences will be presented; however, emphasis is on the fundamentals of analytic geometry as a foundation for the study of calculus. Students may use this course for higher level prerequisite mathematics requirements. Topics include: plane analytic geometry; vectors in the plane; equations of lines, circles, and conic sections; transformation of coordinates; curve sketching of polynomial and rational functions; polar coordinates; parametric equations; and three dimensional vectors. (Prerequisite: MATH111 or equivalent)

This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts of discrete mathematics. The course provides a foundation for the development of many computer related concepts and more advanced mathematical concepts found in electrical engineering or computer science courses. Important applications in the computer science and engineering disciplines will be presented. Topics include: fundamentals (basic tools for discrete math); logic; methods of proof; graphs and sets; functions; relations and equivalences; recursive relations; polynomial sequences; induction; combinatorics; counting; and probability. (Prerequisites: MATH110, MATH111, or MATH225)

This course presents vectors, matrices, determinants, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors; and how these concepts may be used and applied. The emphasis of the course will be on understanding the concepts and methods of linear algebra, as well as solving problems and understanding how linear algebra is used in real world applications. (Prerequisite: MATH225)

This is the first course of a three-part Calculus sequence to prepare students for advanced work in mathematical fields including, but not limited to the engineering, computer science and economics fields. It introduces the student to the basic concepts and techniques of differential calculus. Topics include a pre-Calculus review (functions, graphing), limits, derivatives, computations (Power rule, Product Rule, Quotient Rule and Chain Rule), special functions (trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic), implicit differentiation, applications of differentiation (approximations, optimization and related rates), and curve sketching. (Prerequisite: MATH111, MATH112 or equivalent)

This course is a study of environmental issues from a moral and philosophical approach. Issues raised in the course include the moral obligation, or lack thereof, to preserve and protect the environment, the ethical presumptions that underlie environmental policy, the traditional theories of moral philosophy applicable to contemporary environmental problems, and the potential for a new conception of the relationship between humanity and nature.

This course introduces students to website development through a combination of readings and hands-on development exercises. This course covers coding with Hypertext Markup Language 5 (HTML5), website development essentials, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), graphical elements, hyperlinks, HTML table creation, web forms, video, audio and image techniques, website development for business, and website publishing and maintenance. Fundamentals of JavaScript® programming are also introduced in this course. Students will need access to a web browser such as Microsoft Edge Firefox, or Google Chrome. Microsoft Edge, Firefox, or Google Chrome are not provided by the course material grant and must be purchased/provided by students. To succeed in this course, students will also need basic computer knowledge such as creating files and folders, downloading and uploading files, creating zipped files, and working with a text editor such as Notepad++. JavaScript® is a registered trademark of Oracle America, Inc.

This course surveys the main issues in the philosophy of law. We will study seminal work on questions like “what is the law?”, “what is the relationship between the law and morality?”, “what does it mean for someone to be responsible for a crime?,” and “what makes a punishment reasonable?”

This course develops skills for inquiry into the business environment from a legal and ethical perspective. Students explore the relationships between modern business and the environment, in addition to the ethical issues that arise when diverse interests intersect. Relevant topics will include contracts, commercial law (sales, secured transactions and creditors remedies), forms of business entities (including limited liability companies and corporations), agency, employer-employee relationships, real property concepts, bankruptcy, and negligence and strict liability concepts. Students will examine corporate governance and business ethics, with emphasis on case studies.

This course concentrates on the major functions, structures and processes that underline ethical issues within the American Criminal Justice System. This course will explore the structure and nature of the various types of ethical debates within the American judicial system. There will be an assessment of the ethics in criminal justice, as it explores the issues of morality, virtue, honesty, and making ethical decisions in the United States criminal justice system. Assessments of various issues will be examined as they relate to decision making and ethics.

This course examines information security issues and the law. The rapid growth of technology has given rise to legal issues surrounding technology. Information security is the practice of protecting information to ensure the goals of confidentiality, integrity and availability are met. Information security makes sure that accurate information is available to authorized individuals when it is needed. When governments, private organizations, and individuals do a poor job of protecting the information entrusted to them, legislatures respond with new laws. The course will examine key conflicts involving technology and the legal system to include: privacy issues, civil, criminal, and administrative law, Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), Sarbanes Oxley, and information security governance. This course examines current literature on such topics.

This course examines how laws have had to change to account for the expanded realm of crimes in the digital age. Despite legislation intended to combat the problem of identity theft, it continues to be one of the most common crimes associated with the Internet. Sexual harassment complaints can now be triggered simply by an employee forwarding a questionable email to fellow employees. Some regard intellectual property rights violations to be innocent flattery, while others consider them to be violations that must be stamped out by force of law. Plagiarism by students who pull content from the Internet is a growing problem. Stalkers can log into their victims lives and gain access to highly confidential medical and financial information, and even sabotage their victim's reputations. This course examines current literature on such topics as HIPPA, FERPA, COPPA, Sarbanes - Oxley and other current legislation impacting legal disputes.

This course is an introduction to the structure of the American court system. Topics include prosecution, right to counsel, pretrial release, grand jury process, and sentencing concepts. The course will assess the U.S Courts System and how it relates to the criminal justice system in America. Students will become familiar with the chronological events from the arrest process to sentencing and appeals. Students will be able to explain concepts of stop and frisk arrest, searches under warrant, and presentation of the case to the magistrate. Assessments of the criminal trial process and phases of pretrial and trial proceedings will be examined.

This course is an overview of civil practice and procedure and will examine the process that courts must follow when hearing cases of a civil nature. During the course of study, students will learn how a lawsuit is commenced, what kind of service of process is required, the types of pleadings, motions, and orders allowed in civil cases, the timing and manner of depositions and discovery, the conduct of trials, the process for judgment, various available remedies, and how the courts and clerks must function. The course focuses on the legal skills involving interviewing and counseling for civil cases, the drafting of legal documents for civil cases, and legal ethics focused specifically on civil cases. Course topics include civil trial practices of pleadings, motions, discovery, pre-trial conferences, jury selection, trial protocols, and appellate strategies.

This undergraduate course introduces students to the ethics and professional responsibilities of the legal profession. Emphasis is given to the strict regulation of the practice of law and accompanying reasons, as well as the standard of care expected by those who work in the field. Important ethical issues, such as marketing, client relationships, fees, and communications are explored. Students will analyze the model rules and their practical applications.

This course is an introduction to Constitutional Law, the Supreme Court, and other aspects of the legal system using the case analysis approach. Its concentration is on the study and analysis of United States Constitution. It emphasizes an in-depth study of the Bill of Rights, specifically those rights pertaining to Civil Liberties. Topics include: the historical events that led to the development of the Constitution; principles governing the operation of the Constitution and the role of the U.S. Supreme Court and the Judiciary; characteristics and powers of the three branches of government; development of due process and individual protections to include right to speech, freedom of religion, right to bear arms, right to vote, and right to counsel.

This course familiarizes the student with the basic law, procedures and rules that govern the criminal justice system in America. It is designed to produce students who can understand, appreciate and discuss the benefits and problems with the criminal justice system in America today. The students will become conversant with the Bill of Rights, basic criminal law terminology and procedures. The course emphasizes the principles of criminal liability and the acts, mental state, and attendant circumstances that are necessary ingredients in crimes against persons or property or in offenses involving theft, fraud, drugs, morality and decency, public peace, or public justice.

This upper level undergraduate course introduces students to the legal and procedural requirements of family law. Students will explore various legal procedures and extrajudicial methods. Topics such as marital agreements, separation, divorce, alimony, custody, adoptions, domestic violence, cohabitation, and same-sex marriages will be covered. Emphasis is placed on linking theory to practice.

This course is designed to provide students with a solid knowledge of US Military Law through the study of the evolutionary process, politics, and motivation that has led to the current status of US Military Law. Topics include the history of military law, US Military Law, statutory basis, legal system, and basic application. It will also include an analysis of current events as related through the press, where military law is involved.

This course is an introduction to immigration law and policy. Its concentration is on the study and analysis of governing immigration laws and the application of those laws to immigration practice. Current immigration policies and procedures will also be analyzed and discussed. Topics covered include: historical developments and sources of immigration law, federal agencies governing immigration law and practice, admission procedures to the U.S. to include immigrant and non-immigrant visas and citizenship, removal (commonly referred to as “deportation”) laws and procedures, and relief from removal to include asylum, cancellation of removal, and other forms of relief.

This course is a study of law, law-making, law-enforcement, and legal systems in social life. Course content focuses on the American legal system from a sociological perspective--its origins, development, and current format, and examines the sources of the legal tradition, the function of legislation in society, and current trends in the social construction of norms. The course investigates the human need for social order and conflict resolution, and how that takes shape in the social world.