Clinical - Funeral Service and Mortuary Science, General Syllabus for 2017-2018
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Course

MRTS-1260-001 Clinical - Funeral Service and Mortuary Science, General

Prerequisites

<p>Prerequisite: MRTS 1310<br> Corequisite: MRTS 2342</p>

Course Description

A health-related work-based learning experience that enables the student to apply specialized occupational theory, skills and concepts. Direct supervision is provided by the clinical professional. Focus and emphasis in this clinical experience will be concentrated in the area of funeral home management and funeral directing.

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact your advisor, the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(2 sem hrs; 9 clinic)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

There are no text books for this course.  All content can be found in the course.  All clinical paperwork is found in the course and can be printed off.

 

Supplies

TEXTBOOKS:  See textbooks on this syllabus.

COMPUTER or ACCESS TO A COMPUTER:  You MUST have access to a computer with active internet service, Mozilla Firefox (free download available & recommend), Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, RealPlayer and exhibit computer competency.

PRINTER:  You must have a printer or access to one.  It is recommended you print off your weekly materials and create a notebook for the class.  It will help you remain organized and better prepared for success in this class.

Student Performance

STUDENT PERFORMANCE:

• Regular  log-in and keeping current with all discussions, assignments, projects, quizzes and exams is necessary for satisfactory achievement.  There is no foreseeable excuse for not being able to log on and complete any activity.  There are several libraries and numerous computer labs on the AC campus.  If your computer is inoperable, you should be responsible and make plans to access a computer at another location to do the work.  Incomplete work will result in a poor grade and may put you in danger of failing the course.
• Follow guidelines set forth by the Mortuary Science Program and Amarillo College.  www.actx.edu/mortuary
• Communicate with the instructor when you are having difficulty with course.

 COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Minimum Competencies: After studying the material presented in this course of study, the student will be able to do the following as evaluated by the faculty in the Mortuary Science Department at Amarillo College.

1. Handle floral tributes
2. Usher attendees at Services
3. Supervise pallbearers
4. Assist with cortege/funeral procession formation
5. Assist with graveside/committal services
6. Set up facilities for viewing
7. Assist in the selection room
8. Become familiar with selection room pricing and merchandising
9. Employ necessary terminology to facilitate communication with members of allied health professions and to the public.
10. Exercise Universal precautions and utilize PPE gear when in contact with dead human remains or hazardous chemicals.
11. Document the funeral service techniques and procedures with written reports.
12. Observe those conditions whereby notification of death to public official is required.
13. Discuss how disposition of the human remains meet the sociological,psychological, theological, physical and legal requirements of family and community.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CLINICAL DOCUMENTATION AND NOTEBOOK:

You will be completing assignments, participation in class discussions and completing your funeral directing clinical's through the following outline:

1. Secure a clinical site location for completion of 144 hours of clinical work throughout the semester. This work is to consist of funerals only (no embalming).

2. Download and print ALL clinical documents.  Fill out preliminary paper work and obtain appropriate signatures required (preceptor/funeral establishment, etc.) and send these documents to instructor.  Follow mailing directions at the bottom of this list.

3. Complete your clinical documents (throughout semester).  I will sign my portion at the end of the semester when the completed notebook arrives.

4. Refer to the observation example for reference of how to prepare your written (paragraph form) observations.  If in doubt, please call me.

5. Complete minimum of 10 observations/daily reports (known as the 'individual funeral director training reports'), you must fill out the comments section of each report to receive full credit.  You must participate in 10 funeral services.  The names of these individuals will be put on the 'individual funeral director training reports' along with a description of the activities you were involved in.  Include a copy of the deceased's memorial folder at the end of the semester.  Keep in mind, if you go in for clinical hours on a day there are no funerals, fill out a report and make note that there were not funerals, but what you did do while there.  Therefore, you may have more than 10 daily observations turned in at the end of the semester.

6. Obtain a 3-ring notebook to place all clinical documents in. Also all copies of completed assignments and discussion posts should be included..  DO NOT AND I REPEAT DO NOT ....PLACE WORK IN INDIVIDUAL PLASTIC SLEEVES. I WILL COUNT OFF IF YOU DO THAT. Be sure your name and course number are on the front of the notebook. (This will be turned in or mailed in at the end of the semester.) You WILL be graded on neatness as well.  Therefore I strongly suggest using labeled dividers to separate the different sections. Also, MAKE A COMPLETE COPY OF YOUR NOTEBOOK JUST IN CASE IT GETS LOST WHEN BEING MAILED TO ME...THIS HAS HAPPENED.

7. Place all of your documents in order in your folder as well as a copy of all exercises/assignments.

8. Make sure your complete folder/binder with all documents are postmarked no later than Tuesday, May 1st, 2018. IF YOUR COMPLETED CLINICAL NOTEBOOK IS NOT RECEIVED IN MY OFFICE AT THE END OF THE DAY ON Tuesday, May 1st, 2018, YOU WILL RECEIVE A  (ZERO) IN THE GRADE BOOK.  THIS WILL RESULT IN YOU FAILING THE COURSE.  Again, make a complete copy for yourself and when mailing, I strongly suggest sending it certified mail, return receipt requested so you are notified by the postal service that is has arrived. This is important because as I stated earlier,  if I don't receive the notebook a grade of (ZERO) will be given and there NO leniency given due to the post office losing the notebook or failing to get it delivered on time. Allow 5 business days for certified mail, return receipt requested.  Recapping, with the notebooks required to be in my office by END OF THE DAY ON Tuesday, May 1st, 2018, they should be in the mail NO LATER than the Tuesday, May 1st, 2018. ALSO, AS THE NOTEBOOKS BEGIN ARRIVING, I WILL SEND YOU AN EMAIL ADVISING YOU THAT I HAVE IT. NOTE:  I am having you send your notebooks to my mail box.  Below is the address..

Attn: Brant E. Davis-Instructor Mortuary Science

Amarillo College

WCC-106

P.O. Box 447     Amarillo, TX 79178

      Mail to:

 

 

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

STUDENTS SHOULD:

1. Log-in a MINIMUM three times per week. (Recommended: Once at the beginning of each week, once in the middle and once at the end of the each week.)
2. Read assigned text book material.
3. Read all other assigned material.
4. If in doubt, ask...
5. Actively participate in discussions (these are graded and are considered class participation).
6. Do not judge other students.
7. Respect each others opinions.
8. Respect deadlines and turn in assignments on time.
9. DO NOT procrastinate. (As the saying goes...a lack of planning on your part does NOT constitute an emergency on mine.)
10. *Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this class and will result in a grade of ZERO for the exam or assignment involved that cannot be replaced or dropped. Please see Student Rights and Responsibilities for a specific description of academic dishonesty. Any cases of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Students at Amarillo College.

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU AT YOUR CLINICAL SITE: if you do not have a clinical site secured by Monday, January 29th, 2018...let me know at once. It is imperative to your success in this class that you begin work at your clinical site as soon as possible.

• Always show respect to the Funeral Home establishment, its owner(s), employees and patrons.
• Dress according to the guidelines set forth by Amarillo College Mortuary Science Program.  www.actx.edu/mortuary
• Remember that you are a guest as well as a student.
• Although your clinical experience is unpaid, you should always look to the owner(s) and preceptor(s) as your supervisor(s).
• ASK YOUR PRECEPTOR WHAT IS CONSIDERED AS ACCEPTABLE DRESS WHILE IN THE FUNERAL HOME AND FOLLOW IT TO THE LETTER.  NO EXCEPTIONS !!

 

Grading Criteria

IMPORTANT!!!  YOUR COMPLETED CLINICAL NOTEBOOK WILL COUNT AS YOUR FINAL EXAM.  FAILURE TO COMPLETE AS REQUIRED WILL RESULT IN YOU FAILING THIS CLASS.

Your grades for this class will be broken down into the following categories.  Each category will count a percentage towards your final grade.

• Discussions - 10% of your final grade
• Assignments/Exercises - 25% of your final grade
• Project: Phone Arrangement Conference/Obituary - 20% of your final grade
• Clinical Notebook - 45% of your final grade

Grading Scale

• A=92-100
• B=83-91
• C=75-82
• F=75 and below
• (To pass the State and National Board Exams, you must score a 75 or better.  Please note that we gear our grading policy towards that standard.  Be aware of this as you take this class and all other MRTS courses.)

Each student is responsible for ensuring the integrity of his/her own work.  Cases of academic dishonesty will result in either zero points or administrative withdrawal from the Mortuary Science Program.  There will be no tolerance for missed due dates, assignments, projects, quizzes or tests.  IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO GET ASSIGNMENTS AND SUCH TURNED IN AND IN ON TIME.  If you wait until the semester is over to resolve an issue with missing assignments, projects, exams, etc., then it will be too late.  ALWAYS KEEP COPIES OF YOUR WORK (projects, assignments, clinical paperwork, etc.).  Students should have a back up plan for computer problems.  Most public libraries have internet access for students' use.

ALL course work is expected to be typed with correct grammar, punctuation and spelling.  PROOF READ your work before submitting.  Failure to do so will result in a lower grade. I will count off for spelling and grammatical errors. You are studying at the college level and your work should reflect that..NO EXCEPTIONS… there are many resources available to you online to help check correct spelling and proper grammar

Class Discussions Participation Grading Scale (In addition to 100 WORD MINIMUM; and correct grammar, punctuation and spelling): 

• Outstanding Contributor: Contributions in class reflect exceptional preparation. Ideas offered are always substantive, provide one or more major insights as well as direction for the class. Challenges are well substantiated and persuasively presented.
• Good Contributor: Contributions in class reflect thorough preparation. Ideas offered are usually substantive, provide good insights and sometimes direction for the class. Challenges are well substantiated and often persuasive.
• Adequate Contributor: Contributions in class reflect satisfactory preparation. Ideas offered are sometimes substantive, provide generally useful insights but seldom offer a new direction for the discussion. Challenges are sometimes presented, fairly well substantiated, and are sometimes persuasive.
• Non-Participant: This person says little or nothing in class. Hence, there is not an adequate basis for evaluation.
• Unsatisfactory Contributor: Contributions in class discussions reflect inadequate preparation. Ideas offered are seldom substantive, provide few if any insights and never a constructive direction for the class. Integrative comments and effective challenges are absent.

LATE WORK (Assignments/Projects):  THIS IS IMPORTANT!!!

• If an assignment/project is not completed and turned in by 11:59PM of  the due date, you will receive a ZERO (o) for that assignment.  NO EXCEPTIONS.
• EVERY ASSIGNMENT, QUIZ, EXAM OR PROJECT HAS A SPECIFIC DUE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE MODULE CHECKLIST. PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THOSE !!! unless prior arrangements have been made with me BEFORE THE DUE DATE...nothing will be  accepted late and a ZERO will be assigned.

QUIZZES/EXAM MAKE-UP POLICY:

• No quiz or exam make-ups will be given UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. Always review and print off the the checklist for the module we are studying at that time and highlight the dates of the work that’s required..  You are given at least 3 days to take a quiz or exam.  There is ample time given to plan ahead to take your quiz or exam.  Remember to have a back-up plan in case of computer problems.
• The FINAL EXAM for this course is your completed clinical notebook.  If you miss the Final Exam, no make-up will be allowed. 

MANDATORY SKILLS BUILDING/TUTORIALS

     In an effort to improve student retention, the following policy is in place for this course:

If a student fails an exam (excluding the final), they will be required to schedule a visit with the instructor (over phone or in person), complete an additional assignment and retake the exam.  All this must be done prior to being able to take the next assigned exam.  If you fail the second attempt, the higher of the two grades will be entered in the grade book.  Failure to complete the tutorial and retake the exam during the required time will result in not being able to take the next assigned exam.  This will result in a zero (0) on the next exam and place you in serious jeopardy of failing the course.  Exams, quizzes and assignments in this course deserve serious attention on your behalf, and the tutorial requirements are instilled in this program to help you succeed.

Attendance

ONLINE ATTENDANCE:  This is an online course and is intended to give you flexibility.  PLEASE CHECK YOUR AC CONNECT EMAIL EVERY TIME YOU LOG IN AS THIS IS HOW I COMMUNICATE WITH THE CLASS AS TO ANNOUNCEMENTS AND OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION. However, it is still the same time frame of a full 16-week semester. It is recommended that you log-in at the beginning, middle and end of a week.  Often times, changes have to be made and are announced through course e-mail and announcements.  If you fail to log-in regularly, you may miss vital information concerning changes within the course.  Online learning requires the student to be disciplined to keep up with online participation, assignments, scheduled quizzes and exams.   IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO GET ASSIGNMENTS AND SUCH TURNED IN ON TIME.  If you wait until the semester is over to resolve an issue with missing assignments, projects, exams, etc., then it will be too late.

COURSE COMMUNICATION:  Each module will contain a checklist. PRINT OFF THE CHECKLIST AND FOLLOW IT CLOSELEY. Follow this as a guideline as well as the calendar.  The instructor will make announcements of unexpected changes through course email and course announcements.  It is IMPORTANT that you log-in at least three times a week not only for course material, but for emails and announcements as well.

Calendar

Additional Information

COURSE MATERIAL DELIVERY METHOD:

• The Spring 2018 semester is a 16-week semester.  Spring  Break will occur during the middle of the semester, therefore, it is technically 17 weeks long. ONLINE STUDENT WORK WILL CONTINUE DURING Spring BREAK.
• The course material will be divided into 8 Modules.
• Beginning with the 1st day of the semester, Module 1 will be opened.  It will contain Week 1 & Week 2 materials (readings, assignments, dates, etc.).  Once a Module is opened, it will remain open until the day of the final exam.
• Module 2 will be opened on the Monday of Week 3 and so on.  Sometimes things change, so it is important to log-in at least two times a week as stated before.

NOTE:  The instructor may change materials, assignments, due dates, quiz/exam dates and such at his discretion. PLEASE CHECK YOUR AC EMAIL AND CLASS ANNOUNCEMENTS REGULARLY FOR LATE BREAKING NEWS

 

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE:

If a student has a grievance with the course instructor, the following "due process" protocol will apply.  The student must follow the protocol steps in the order shown.

1. Make every effort to resolve the concern directly with the course instructor.  The instructor should be contacted by the student before the conclusion of the course.
2. If the concern cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of the student after meeting with the course instructor, the student should seek satisfaction from the immediate supervisor of the instructor within one week of the student-instructor meeting.
3. If the concern cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of the student after meeting with the Mortuary Science Program Director, the student should seek satisfaction from Dean of Health Sciences within one week of the student-division chairperson meeting.
4. If the concern cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of the student after meeting with the dean, the student should seek satisfaction from the Vice-President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) within one week of the student-Dean meeting.
5. If the concern cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of the student after meeting with the Vice-President of Academic Affairs, the student should seek satisfaction from the college President within one week of the student-VPAA meeting.  The decision of the President will be final.

I have read the above information and I hear by am in accordance with the obligations set before me by signature__________________________________________.