NURS 8302 Discussion Factors That Influence the Development of Psychopathology

NURS 8302 Discussion Factors That Influence the Development of Psychopathology

Sample Answer for NURS 8302 Discussion Factors That Influence the Development of Psychopathology Included After Question

In many realms of medicine, objective diagnoses can be made: A clavicula is broken.  An infection is present. TSH levels meet the diagnostic criteria for hypothyroidism. Psychiatry, on the other hand, deals with psychological phenomena and behaviors. Can these, too, be “defined objectively and by scientific criteria (Gergen, 1985), or are they social constructions?” (Boland, Verduin, & Ruiz, 2022).

Thanks to myriad advances during recent decades, we know that psychopathology is caused by many interacting factors. Theoretical and clinical contributions to the field have come from the neural sciences, genetics, psychology, and social-cultural sciences. How do these factors impact the expression, classification, diagnosis, and prevalence of psychopathology, and why might it be important for a nurse practitioner to take a multidimensional, integrative approach?

Resources

Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.

WEEKLY RESOURCES

To Prepare:

• Review this week’s Learning Resources, considering the many interacting factors that contribute to the development of psychopathology.
• Consider how theoretical perspective on psychopathology impacts the work of the PMHNP.

By Day 3 of Week 1

Explain the biological (genetic and neuroscientific); psychological (behavioral and cognitive processes, emotional, developmental); and social, cultural, and interpersonal factors that influence the development of psychopathology.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses

By Day 6 of Week 1

Respond to at least two of your colleagues on 2 different days by explaining the implications of why, as an advanced practice nurse, it is important to adopt a multidimensional, integrative model of psychopathology.

Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link, and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click on Submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and you cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking on Submit!

A Sample Answer For the Assignment: NURS 8302 Discussion Factors That Influence the Development of Psychopathology

Title: NURS 8302 Discussion Factors That Influence the Development of Psychopathology

The emergence of psychopathology is influenced by a wide variety of external and internal factors. When providing care to patients and attempting to address their concerns regarding their mental health, it is essential to identify these aspects. The development of psychopathology is influenced by a delicate balancing act including hereditary characteristics, contextual circumstances, and interactions (Kalin, 2020). The development of psychopathology is influenced by a variety of elements, including biological, psychological, social, cultural, and interpersonal factors. For the purpose of this assignment, I will discuss these primary factors.

 

Biological Factors

The formation of psychopathology is influenced by a number of biological factors, including those of a genetic and neuroscientific nature. Heritability is a major factor in the development of bipolar and schizophrenia disorders, whereas it plays a less significant role in the development of anxiety and depressive disorders (Kalin 2020). Although there are some gene variants that have been directly linked to the development of psychiatric disorders, it is much more frequent for these disorders to involve numerous gene variations that interact with one another (Kalin, 2020). Phenotypes obtained by genetic mapping provide evidence that particular disorders, as well as specific genetic variants that are inheritable, may contribute to an individual’s likelihood of getting the disorder. Because genetic links exist between genes that are physically adjacent to one another on a chromosome, the disease locus and the marker locus are both shared by these genes. The process of genetic mapping aims to identify the specific genetic variations that, when combined, increase an individual’s likelihood of acquiring the condition. It is essential, when doing a patient evaluation, to inquire about the patient’s family mental history in order to determine the patient’s genetic risk for developing a psychiatric or medical illness (Carlat, 2017).

Aspects of a Person’s Mental Makeup

The development of psychopathology is significantly influenced by a variety of psychological factors. Experiencing a traumatic incident raises one’s chances of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as depression, anxiety, and the tendency to engage in risky behaviors (Cao et al., 2020). There is a strong correlation between adverse experiences in early life, such as stress, adversity, and trauma, and the later development of psychopathology (Kalin, 2020). Depression in the mother, drug use by the mother, and stressful circumstances for the mother can all affect the developing fetus throughout the prenatal period and frequently extend into the postnatal period as well (Kalan, 2020). During the first few years of a person’s existence, environmental factors have the ability to have an effect on the rapid development of the brain, which is a factor in the learning of behavioral, emotional, and cognitive skills (Kalan, 2020). Mistreatment in childhood, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect, has a significant impact on mental and physical health in adulthood (Kalan, 2020).

 

Aspects of Society, Culture, and Personal Relationships

Inequalities in society as well as a person’s socioeconomic standing are major contributors to the development of psychopathology. According to Melchior, Galéra, and Pryor (2017), patients with socioeconomic inequalities had a greater rate of onset of psychiatric problems and a delayed diagnosis later in life. According to Melchior, Galéra, and Pryor (2017), some of the factors that contribute include being poor, not having enough food to eat, having birth difficulties, and having bad familial situations. According to Melchior, Galéra, and Pryor (2017), the presence of a family history of psychiatric illness is a factor that contributes to disparities in the mental health of children. (Melchior., Galéra, & Pryor, 2017). In the end, it creates a higher risk for mental health disorders in kids, which leads to low academic attainment, later employment, and crime. A person’s race, ethnicity, place of origin, language use, religious views, financial level, migration history, acculturation, and affiliation are all examples of cultural elements that might have an effect on psychopathology. It is essential to gain an understanding of the cultural background of a patient in order to comprehend what sickness signifies to that culture. Cultural variances interpret mental illness, suicide, and substance misuse differently. Finding out a patient’s cultural history is helpful in determining which treatment approach has the best chance of being successful for that patient

In conclusion, a multifaceted approach is the best way to determine the elements that contribute to the development of psychopathology. Because each patient is unique, it is important to take detailed notes and thoroughly examine their medical history in order to pinpoint any characteristics that can provide difficulties for the treatment plan or therapy.

 

NURS 8302 Discussion Factors That Influence the Development of Psychopathology References

Cao, X., Wang, L., Cao, C., Fang, R., Chen, C., Hall, B. J., & Elhai, J. D. (2020). Depicting the associations between different forms of psychopathology in trauma-exposed adolescents. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 29(6), 827–837. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1007/s00787-019-01400-x

Carlat, D. J. (2017). The psychiatric interview (4th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.

Kalin, N. H. Early-Life Environmental Factors Impacting the Development of Psychopathology. American Journal of Psychiatry, [s. l.], v. 177, n. 1, p. 1–3, 2020. DOI 10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.19111181. Disponível em: https://search-ebscohost-com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rzh&AN=140976895&site=ehost-live&scope=site. Acesso em: 29 ago. 2021.

Melchior, M., Galéra, C., & Pryor, L. (2017). Psychopathology and socioeconomic position: what can be done to break the vicious circle? European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 26(7), 747–748. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1007/s00787-017-1017-8

In many realms of medicine, objective diagnoses can be made: A clavicula is broken.  An infection is present. TSH levels meet the diagnostic criteria for hypothyroidism. Psychiatry, on the other hand, deals with psychological phenomena and behaviors. Can these, too, be “defined objectively and by scientific criteria (Gergen, 1985), or are they social constructions?” (Sadock et al., 2015).

 

A Sample Answer 2 For the Assignment: NURS 8302 Discussion Factors That Influence the Development of Psychopathology

Title: NURS 8302 Discussion Factors That Influence the Development of Psychopathology

The development of psychopathology is a multifaceted process shaped by intricate interactions between biological, psychological, and social factors. Genetics contribute to predispositions, while neuroscientific abnormalities provide insight into the brain’s role. Behavioral, cognitive, and emotional processes shape thought patterns and reactions. This interplay highlights the complexity of understanding and addressing psychopathology comprehensively.

Biological factors significantly contribute to the development of psychopathology. Examples of these biological factors include genetic and neuroscientific factors. Genetic influences play a crucial role, as certain genetic variations can increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, in addition to severe depression, which are examples of mental illnesses (Butcher & Kendall, 2018). Neuroscientific factors, encompassing neurotransmitter imbalances, abnormal brain circuitry, and structural anomalies, also contribute to mental disorders affecting brain function and chemistry. These biological factors collectively shape the foundation upon which psychopathological conditions can arise.

The realm of psychological factors encompasses various processes that significantly shape the development of psychopathology. Maladaptive behaviors, such as avoidance or aggression, can contribute to the persistence of mental disorders. Emotional dysregulation, characterized by difficulties managing emotions, is common in psychopathology (Masten & Kalstabakken, 2018). Moreover, early developmental experiences and attachment patterns are influential, as adverse events and trauma during childhood can increase vulnerability to various mental problems, including PTSD and personality disorders.

Social, cultural, and interpersonal factors collectively contribute to the emergence of psychopathology. Socioeconomic conditions, education access, and support networks impact mental well-being, while cultural norms shape how psychological distress is perceived and experienced (Cheung & Mak, 2018). Interpersonal relationships, ranging from healthy connections to dysfunctional dynamics, are crucial to the onset and progression of mental disorders. Additionally, the stigma surrounding mental health and discrimination can discourage individuals from seeking help, further influencing the development of psychopathology within the broader social context.

In summary, the growth of psychopathology is influenced by interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors. Genetic predisposition, neuroscientific abnormalities, cognitive distortions, emotional dysregulation, adverse developmental experiences, social circumstances, cultural influences, and interpersonal dynamics all play a part in the emergence and progression of mental problems. It is crucial to comprehend these complex factors for growing comprehensive approaches to preventing, intervening, and treating psychopathology.

References

Butcher, J. N., & Kendall, P. C. (2018). Introduction to Childhood and Adolescent Psychopathology. American Psychological Association.

Cheung, F. M., & Mak, W. S. (2018). Sociocultural Factors in Psychopathology. American Psychological Association.

Masten, A. S., & Kalstabakken, A. W. (2018). Developmental Perspectives on Psychopathology in Children and Adolescents. American Psychological Association.

Thanks to myriad advances during recent decades, we know that psychopathology is caused by many interacting factors. Theoretical and clinical contributions to the field have come from the neural sciences, genetics, psychology, and social-cultural sciences. How do these factors impact the expression, classification, diagnosis, and prevalence of psychopathology, and why might it be important for a nurse practitioner to take a multidimensional, integrative approach?

To Prepare:

• Review this week’s Learning Resources, considering the many interacting factors that contribute to the development of psychopathology.
• Consider how theoretical perspective on psychopathology impacts the work of the PMHNP.

By Day 3 of Week 1

Explain the biological (genetic and neuroscientific); psychological (behavioral and cognitive processes, emotional, developmental); and social, cultural, and interpersonal factors that influence the development of psychopathology.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses

By Day 6 of Week 1

Respond to at least two of your colleagues on 2 different days by explaining the implications of why, as an advanced practice nurse, it is important to adopt a multidimensional, integrative model of psychopathology.

Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link, and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click on Submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and you cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking on Submit!

Submission and Grading Information

NURS 8302 Discussion Factors That Influence the Development of Psychopathology Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:

Week 1 Discussion Rubric

 

Post by Day 3 of Week 1 and Respond by Day 6 of Week 1

 

To Participate in this Discussion:

Week 1 Discussion

NURS 8302 Discussion Factors That Influence the Development of Psychopathology Rubric Detail

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Name: NRNP_6635_Week1_Discussion_Rubric

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		Excellent	Good	Fair	Poor
Main Posting: Response to the discussion question is reflective with critical analysis and synthesis representative of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module and current credible sources.		40 (40%) – 44 (44%) Thoroughly responds to the discussion question(s). Is reflective with critical analysis and synthesis representative of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module and current credible sources. No less than 75% of post has exceptional depth and breadth. Supported by at least 3 current credible sources.	35 (35%) – 39 (39%) Responds to most of the discussion question(s). Is somewhat reflective with critical analysis and synthesis representative of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module. 50% of the post has exceptional depth and breadth. Supported by at least 3 credible references.	31 (31%) – 34 (34%) Responds to some of the discussion question(s). One to two criteria are not addressed or are superficially addressed. Is somewhat lacking reflection and critical analysis and synthesis. Somewhat represents knowledge gained from the course readings for the module. Post is cited with fewer than 2 credible references.	0 (0%) – 30 (30%) Does not respond to the discussion question(s). Lacks depth or superficially addresses criteria. Lacks reflection and critical analysis and synthesis. Does not represent knowledge gained from the course readings for the module. Contains only 1 or no credible references.
Main Posting: Writing		6 (6%) – 6 (6%) Written clearly and concisely. Contains no grammatical or spelling errors. Further adheres to current APA manual writing rules and style.	5 (5%) – 5 (5%) Written concisely. May contain one to two grammatical or spelling errors. Adheres to current APA manual writing rules and style.	4 (4%) – 4 (4%) Written somewhat concisely. May contain more than two spelling or grammatical errors. Contains some APA formatting errors.	0 (0%) – 3 (3%) Not written clearly or concisely. Contains more than two spelling or grammatical errors. Does not adhere to current APA manual writing rules and style.
Main Posting: Timely and full participation		9 (9%) – 10 (10%) Meets requirements for timely, full, and active participation. Posts main discussion by due date.	8 (8%) – 8 (8%) Posts main discussion by due date. Meets requirements for full participation.	7 (7%) – 7 (7%) Posts main discussion by due date.	0 (0%) – 6 (6%) Does not meet requirements for full participation. Does not post main discussion by due date.
First Response: Post to colleague’s main post that is reflective and justified with credible sources.		9 (9%) – 9 (9%) Response exhibits critical thinking and application to practice settings. Responds to questions posed by faculty. The use of scholarly sources to support ideas demonstrates synthesis and understanding of learning objectives.	8 (8%) – 8 (8%) Response has some depth and may exhibit critical thinking or application to practice setting.	7 (7%) – 7 (7%) Response is on topic, may have some depth.	0 (0%) – 6 (6%) Response may not be on topic, lacks depth.
First Response: Writing		6 (6%) – 6 (6%) Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. Response to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed. Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by two or more credible sources. Response is effectively written in Standard, Edited English.	5 (5%) – 5 (5%) Communication is mostly professional and respectful to colleagues. Response to faculty questions are mostly answered, if posed. Provides opinions and ideas that are supported by few credible sources. Response is written in Standard, Edited English.	4 (4%) – 4 (4%) Response posed in the discussion may lack effective professional communication. Response to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if posed. Few or no credible sources are cited.	0 (0%) – 3 (3%) Responses posted in the discussion lack effective communication. Response to faculty questions are missing. No credible sources are cited.
First Response: Timely and full participation		5 (5%) – 5 (5%) Meets requirements for timely, full, and active participation. Posts by due date.	4 (4%) – 4 (4%) Meets requirements for full participation. Posts by due date.	3 (3%) – 3 (3%) Posts by due date.	0 (0%) – 2 (2%) Does not meet requirements for full participation. Does not post by due date.
Second Response: Post to colleague’s main post that is reflective and justified with credible sources.		9 (9%) – 9 (9%) Response exhibits critical thinking and application to practice settings. Responds to questions posed by faculty. The use of scholarly sources to support ideas demonstrates synthesis and understanding of learning objectives.	8 (8%) – 8 (8%) Response has some depth and may exhibit critical thinking or application to practice setting.	7 (7%) – 7 (7%) Response is on topic, may have some depth.	0 (0%) – 6 (6%) Response may not be on topic, lacks depth.
Second Response: Writing		6 (6%) – 6 (6%) Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. Response to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed. Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by two or more credible sources. Response is effectively written in Standard, Edited English.	5 (5%) – 5 (5%) Communication is mostly professional and respectful to colleagues. Response to faculty questions are mostly answered, if posed. Provides opinions and ideas that are supported by few credible sources. Response is written in Standard, Edited English.	4 (4%) – 4 (4%) Response posed in the discussion may lack effective professional communication. Response to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if posed. Few or no credible sources are cited.	0 (0%) – 3 (3%) Responses posted in the discussion lack effective communication. Response to faculty questions are missing. No credible sources are cited.
Second Response: Timely and full participation		5 (5%) – 5 (5%) Meets requirements for timely, full, and active participation. Posts by due date.	4 (4%) – 4 (4%) Meets requirements for full participation. Posts by due date.	3 (3%) – 3 (3%) Posts by due date.	0 (0%) – 2 (2%) Does not meet requirements for full participation. Does not post by due date.
Total Points: 100

Lopes Write Policy

For assignments that need to be submitted to Lopes Write, please be sure you have received your report and Similarity Index (SI) percentage BEFORE you do a “final submit” to me.

Once you have received your report, please review it. This report will show you grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors that can easily be fixed. Take the extra few minutes to review instead of getting counted off for these mistakes.

Review your similarities. Did you forget to cite something? Did you not paraphrase well enough? Is your paper made up of someone else’s thoughts more than your own?

Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in LoudCloud for tips on improving your paper and SI score.

Late Policy

The university’s policy on late assignments is 10% penalty PER DAY LATE. This also applies to late DQ replies.

Please communicate with me if you anticipate having to submit an assignment late. I am happy to be flexible, with advance notice. We may be able to work out an extension based on extenuating circumstances.

If you do not communicate with me before submitting an assignment late, the GCU late policy will be in effect.

I do not accept assignments that are two or more weeks late unless we have worked out an extension.

As per policy, no assignments are accepted after the last day of class. Any assignment submitted after midnight on the last day of class will not be accepted for grading.

Communication

Communication is so very important. There are multiple ways to communicate with me:

Questions to Instructor Forum: This is a great place to ask course content or assignment questions. If you have a question, there is a good chance one of your peers does as well. This is a public forum for the class.

Individual Forum: This is a private forum to ask me questions or send me messages. This will be checked at least once every 24 hours.

Important information for writing discussion questions and participation

Welcome to class

Hello class and welcome to the class and I will be your instructor for this course. This is a -week course and requires a lot of time commitment, organization, and a high level of dedication. Please use the class syllabus to guide you through all the assignments required for the course. I have also attached the classroom policies to this announcement to know your expectations for this course. Please review this document carefully and ask me any questions if you do. You could email me at any time or send me a message via the “message” icon in halo if you need to contact me. I check my email regularly, so you should get a response within 24 hours. If you have not heard from me within 24 hours and need to contact me urgently, please send a follow up text to

I strongly encourage that you do not wait until the very last minute to complete your assignments. Your assignments in weeks 4 and 5 require early planning as you would need to present a teaching plan and interview a community health provider. I advise you look at the requirements for these assignments at the beginning of the course and plan accordingly. I have posted the YouTube link that explains all the class assignments in detail. It is required that you watch this 32-minute video as the assignments from week 3 through 5 require that you follow the instructions to the letter to succeed. Failure to complete these assignments according to instructions might lead to a zero. After watching the video, please schedule a one-on-one with me to discuss your topic for your project by the second week of class. Use this link to schedule a 15-minute session. Please, call me at the time of your appointment on my number. Please note that I will NOT call you.

Please, be advised I do NOT accept any assignments by email. If you are having technical issues with uploading an assignment, contact the technical department and inform me of the issue. If you have any issues that would prevent you from getting your assignments to me by the deadline, please inform me to request a possible extension. Note that working fulltime or overtime is no excuse for late assignments. There is a 5%-point deduction for every day your assignment is late. This only applies to approved extensions. Late assignments will not be accepted.

If you think you would be needing accommodations due to any reasons, please contact the appropriate department to request accommodations.

Plagiarism is highly prohibited. Please ensure you are citing your sources correctly using APA 7th edition. All assignments including discussion posts should be formatted in APA with the appropriate spacing, font, margin, and indents. Any papers not well formatted would be returned back to you, hence, I advise you review APA formatting style. I have attached a sample paper in APA format and will also post sample discussion responses in subsequent announcements.

Your initial discussion post should be a minimum of 200 words and response posts should be a minimum of 150 words. Be advised that I grade based on quality and not necessarily the number of words you post. A minimum of TWO references should be used for your initial post. For your response post, you do not need references as personal experiences would count as response posts. If you however cite anything from the literature for your response post, it is required that you cite your reference. You should include a minimum of THREE references for papers in this course. Please note that references should be no more than 5 years old except recommended as a resource for the class. Furthermore, for each discussion board question, you need ONE initial substantive response and TWO substantive responses to either your classmates or your instructor for a total of THREE responses. There are TWO discussion questions each week, hence, you need a total minimum of SIX discussion posts for each week. I usually post a discussion question each week. You could also respond to these as it would count towards your required SIX discussion posts for the week.

I understand this is a lot of information to cover in 5 weeks, however, the Bible says in Philippians 4:13 that we can do all things through Christ that strengthens us. Even in times like this, we are encouraged by God’s word that we have that ability in us to succeed with His strength. I pray that each and every one of you receives strength for this course and life generally as we navigate through this pandemic that is shaking our world today. Relax and enjoy the course!

Hi Class,

Please read through the following information on writing a Discussion question response and participation posts.

Contact me if you have any questions.

Important information on Writing a Discussion Question

• Your response needs to be a minimum of 150 words (not including your list of references)
• There needs to be at least TWO references with ONE being a peer reviewed professional journal article.
• Include in-text citations in your response
• Do not include quotes—instead summarize and paraphrase the information
• Follow APA-7th edition
• Points will be deducted if the above is not followed

Participation –replies to your classmates or instructor

• A minimum of 6 responses per week, on at least 3 days of the week.
• Each response needs at least ONE reference with citations—best if it is a peer reviewed journal article
• Each response needs to be at least 75 words in length (does not include your list of references)
• Responses need to be substantive by bringing information to the discussion or further enhance the discussion. Responses of “I agree” or “great post” does not count for the word count.
• Follow APA 7th edition
• Points will be deducted if the above is not followed
• Remember to use and follow APA-7th edition for all weekly assignments, discussion questions, and participation points.
• Here are some helpful links
• Student paper example
• Citing Sources
• The Writing Center is a great resource

As we begin this session, I would like to take this opportunity to clarify my expectations for this course:

Please note that GCU Online weeks run from Thursday (Day 1) through Wednesday (Day 7).

 

Course Room Etiquette:

• It is my expectation that all learners will respect the thoughts and ideas presented in the discussions.
• All postings should be presented in a respectful, professional manner. Remember – different points of view add richness and depth to the course!

 

Office Hours:

• My office hours vary so feel free to shoot me an email at [email protected] or my office phone is 602.639.6517 and I will get back to you within one business day or as soon as possible.
• Phone appointments can be scheduled as well. Send me an email and the best time to call you, along with your phone number to make an appointment.
• I welcome all inquiries and questions as we spend this term together. My preference is that everyone utilizes the Questions to Instructor forum. In the event your question is of a personal nature, please feel free to post in the Individual Questions for Instructor forumI will respond to all posts or emails within 24 or sooner.

 

Late Policy and Grading Policy

Discussion questions:

• I do not mark off for late DQ’s.
• I would rather you take the time to read the materials and respond to the DQ’s in a scholarly way, demonstrating your understanding of the materials.
• I will not accept any DQ submissions after day 7, 11:59 PM (AZ Time) of the week.
• Individual written assignments – due by 11:59 PM AZ Time Zone on the due dates indicated for each class deliverable.

Assignments:

• Assignments turned in after their specified due dates are subject to a late penalty of -10%, each day late, of the available credit. Please refer to the student academic handbook and GCU policy.
• Any activity or assignment submitted after the due date will be subject to GCU’s late policy
• Extenuating circumstances may justify exceptions, which are at my sole discretion. If an extenuating circumstance should arise, please contact me privately as soon as possible.
• No assignments can be accepted for grading after midnight on the final day of class.
• All assignments will be graded in accordance with the Assignment Grading Rubrics

Participation

• Participation in each week’s Discussion Board forum accounts for a large percentage of your final grade in this course.
• Please review the Course Syllabus for a comprehensive overview of course deliverables and the value associated with each.
• It is my expectation that each of you will substantially contribute to the course discussion forums and respond to the posts of at least three other learners.
• A substantive post should be at least 200 words. Responses such as “great posts” or “I agree” do notmeet the active engagement expectation.
• Please feel free to draw on personal examples as you develop your responses to the Discussion Questions but you do need to demonstrate your understanding of the materials.
• I do expect outside sources as well as class materials to formulate your post.
• APA format is not necessary for DQ responses, but I do expect a proper citation for references.
• Please use peer-related journals found through the GCU library and/or class materials to formulate your answers. Do not try to “Google” DQ’s as I am looking for class materials and examples from the weekly materials.
• I will not accept responses that are from Wikipedia, Business com, or other popular business websites. You will not receive credit for generic web searches – this does not demonstrate graduate-level research.
• Stay away from the use of personal pronouns when writing.As a graduate student, you are expected to write based on research and gathering of facts. Demonstrating your understanding of the materials is what you will be graded on. You will be marked down for lack of evidence to support your ideas.

Plagiarism

• Plagiarism is the act of claiming credit for another’s work, accomplishments, or ideas without appropriate acknowledgment of the source of the information by including in-text citations and references.
• This course requires the utilization of APA format for all course deliverables as noted in the course syllabus.
• Whether this happens deliberately or inadvertently, whenever plagiarism has occurred, you have committed a Code of Conduct violation.
• Please review your LopesWrite report prior to final submission.
• Every act of plagiarism, no matter the severity, must be reported to the GCU administration (this includes your DQ’s, posts to your peers, and your papers).

Plagiarism includes:

• Representing the ideas, expressions, or materials of another without due credit.
• Paraphrasing or condensing ideas from another person’s work without proper citation and referencing.
• Failing to document direct quotations without proper citation and referencing.
• Depending upon the amount, severity, and frequency of the plagiarism that is committed, students may receive in-class penalties that range from coaching (for a minor omission), -20% grade penalties for resubmission, or zero credit for a specific assignment. University-level penalties may also occur, including suspension or even expulsion from the University.
• If you are at all uncertain about what constitutes plagiarism, you should review the resources available in the Student Success Center. Also, please review the University’s policies about plagiarism which are covered in more detail in the GCU Catalog and the Student Handbook.
• We will be utilizing the GCU APA Style Guide 7th edition located in the Student Success Center > The Writing Center for all course deliverables.

LopesWrite

• All course assignments must be uploaded to the specific Module Assignment Drop Box, and also submitted to LopesWrite every week.
• Please ensure that your assignment is uploaded to both locations under the Assignments DropBox. Detailed instructions for using LopesWrite are located in the Student Success Center.

Assignment Submissions

• Please note that Microsoft Office is the software requirement at GCU.
• I can open Word files or any file that is saved with a .rtf (Rich Text Format) extension. I am unable to open .wps files.
• If you are using a “.wps” word processor, please save your files using the .rtf extension that is available from the drop-down box before uploading your files to the Assignment Drop Box.

Grade of Incomplete

• The final grade of Incomplete is granted at the discretion of the instructor; however, students must meet certain specific criteria before this grade accommodation is even possible to consider.
• The grade of Incomplete is reserved for times when students experience a serious extenuating circumstance or a crisis during the last week of class which prevents the completion of course requirements before the close of the grading period. Students also must pass the course at the time the request is made.
• Please contact me personally if you are having difficulties in meeting course requirements or class deadlines during our time together. In addition, if you are experiencing personal challenges or difficulties, it is best to contact the Academic Counselor so that you can discuss the options that might be available to you, as well as each option’s academic and financial repercussions.

Grade Disputes

• If you have any questions about a grade you have earned on an individual assignment or activity, please get in touch with mepersonally for further clarification.
• While I have made every attempt to grade you fairly, on occasion a misunderstanding may occur, so please allow me the opportunity to learn your perspective if you believe this has occurred. Together, we should be able to resolve grading issues on individual assignments.
• However, after we have discussed individual assignments’ point scores, if you still believe that the final grade you have earned at the end of the course is not commensurate with the quality of work you produced for this class, there is a formal Grade Grievance procedurewhich is outlined in the GCU Catalog and Student Handbook.