Course Syllabus

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FES4023

Course Syllabus and Map

Ethical Practices and Leadership

This course explores the role of agency leadership and its impact on the ongoing professionalization of fire and emergency services. You and your classmates will examine traditional and evolving definitions, practices, and skills in leadership behavior. The course includes group discussions on ethics, teamwork, organizational behavior, and leadership.

About Your Instructor: Dr. Dennis Mitterer

My experience in firefighting, EMS, and education spans over 39 years. As a lieutenant of a fire department (FD), an EMT, a paramedic, an EMS operations chief, and an educator, I have gained invaluable lessons that are incorporated into all of my classes. I have earned a master’s degree in management from Penn State University’s Smeal College of Business, a nursing degree from Excelsior University, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Penn State University. I also hold the designations of Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Associate in Risk Management (ARM). I earned my Ph.D. in leadership and organizational change from Walden University.

I have many years of higher education experience guiding adult students through courses of study in topics such as finance, accreditation and auditing, technology application, and strategy development. I have also taught classes at the Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences and served as a faculty advisor for EMS at Franklin & Marshall College. I have been an adjunct professor for Lebanon Valley College’s master’s program and at Immaculata University, where I taught management, strategic planning, human resources, and research. I also taught in the paramedic program at Harrisburg Area Community College. Drawing on my extensive background and dedication to teaching, one of my goals this semester is to challenge you to think creatively about EMS topics.

My professional affiliations include the American Society of Safety Engineers, the American College of Healthcare Executives, the National Association of EMS Educators, the National Association of EMTs, and the Institute for Behavioral and Applied Management.

Course Communication

Each semester, students have many questions regarding course content and procedures. Questions pertaining to the good of all should be posted on the Course Questions discussion board. Any personal questions should be sent to me through my email address or Canvas Inbox.

Under Florida law, any written communication created or received through the University of Florida is subject to disclosure to the public and the media upon request unless otherwise exempt. If you do not want your message or email address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this address.  Instead, contact me by phone: 352-273-1085. Urgent messages can be sent through email.

Office hours are by appointment. Please request meetings as needed.

Course Design and Success

This class is designed to be interactive and engaging, offering a blend of individual and group activities. You will participate in individual learning assignments, group projects, and lively discussions throughout the course.

The curriculum is structured around six key focus areas, each with specific assignments to help you master the material. Each module will include required readings and group online discussions to enhance your understanding of the topics. Additionally, the course features a final group project and an individual writing assignment, allowing you to demonstrate your knowledge both collaboratively and independently. 

Teaching Philosophy

In this course, you must demonstrate a thorough understanding of the subject matter. To assist you, the Research and Citation Resources page in the Orientation module will provide valuable information on how to use library resources effectively for your assignments. Creativity is encouraged in your work, but it is essential to maintain a professional appearance. Your assignments should be comprehensive and clearly convey your ideas so that anyone reading your document can easily understand your message. Equally important, your work must be supported by research and properly cited in APA format. A highly recommended resource for APA guidelines is the University of Purdue Online Writing Lab.  Following these guidelines will help ensure the clarity and credibility of your work.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Assess various leadership approaches.
  2. Analyze values that are associated with good leaders.   
  3. Develop well-crafted annotated bibliographies.  
  4. Lead group discussions and summarize outcomes.

How This Course Relates to the Student Learning Outcomes in the Fire and Emergency Services Management Program

  1. Identify and evaluate organizational problems associated with fire and emergency services (SLO1).
  2. Demonstrate effective leadership behavior and skills in fire and emergency services (SLO4).
  3. Demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills for leadership in fire and emergency services (SLO6).

Course Requirements

“Instructional materials for this course consist of only those materials specifically reviewed, selected, and assigned by the instructor(s). The instructor(s) is only responsible for these instructional materials.”

Required Textbook

Course materials will be linked in the individual Canvas modules or available in the Course Reserves section of the class. It is imperative that you have a laptop or desktop computer to access UFL Course Reserves. No textbook purchases are required.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course. 

Minimum Technology Requirements

The University of Florida expects students entering an online program to acquire computer hardware and software appropriate to their degree program. Most computers are capable of meeting the following general requirements. A student’s computer configuration should include:

  • Webcam
  • Microphone
  • Broadband connection to the internet and related equipment (cable/DSL modem)
  • Microsoft Office Suite installed (provided by the university)

Individual colleges may have additional requirements or recommendations that students should review before starting their program.

Minimum Technical Skills

To complete your tasks in this course, you will need a basic understanding of operating a computer and using word processing software.

Class meetings via Zoom will require a web camera and mic/audio. If you cannot use a web camera, you must, at minimum, provide audio via a microphone. You may also call into meetings using a phone.

Zoom is an easy-to-use video conferencing service available to all UF students, faculty, and staff that allows for meetings of up to 100 participants.

The UF Help Desk is also available for online students. Please be sure to review all available UFL online resources for properly installing Zoom on your computer, and do not wait until the last minute to take care of this. It is important that you are very familiar with Zoom and also how to record your meetings.

Materials/Supply Fees

There is no supply fee for this course. 

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Any and all use of machines that emulate human capabilities (ChatGPT, Stable Diffusion, DALLE, etc.) to perform assignments or other works in the course should be disclosed, as it can border on plagiarism. AI-generated information, as long as this use is properly documented in the references, will need to include the prompt and the significant parts of the response. The use of generative AI tools is not permitted in this course for the following activities:

  • Completing group work that your group has assigned to you.
  • Writing a draft of a writing assignment.
  • Writing entire sentences, paragraphs, or papers to complete class assignments.

Course Policies

Attendance 

 This course is designed in module format. You should check the site weekly at a minimum. You are required to complete the assignments, including discussion questions, within the time period designated in the module. Requirements for class attendance and make-up exams, assignments, and other work in this course are consistent with university policies that can be found within the UF Undergraduate Catalog.

Assignments and Discussions

All assignments and discussions have a due date. Please be sure to check the dates and times they are due in each module. All due dates are set in order to provide consistency with the discussions and assignment submission. Each module will be opened early so you have time to read the material, formulate and answer discussions, and finish and submit the assignment. Each discussion and assignment will be closed one week after the due date. 

Projects and Exams/Quizzes

There are final group and individual projects for this course. There are no exams or quizzes. 

Group Work

Participation in group assignments is required. Zero points will be awarded if a student does not participate in a group assignment.

Make-up Work

You will be assigned to groups for most of the coursework and must work within your group to complete assignments. You must contact me if you will be late on any written assignment to receive credit. 

Late Work

The following late policies apply:

  • Assignments up to 48 hours late will receive a 10% deduction in their grade. 
  • Assignments over 48 hours but less than 30 days late will receive a 20% deduction in their grade.
  • Assignments over 30 days late but submitted during the semester will receive a 50% deduction in their grade.

Extensions

It is your responsibility to keep your instructor informed at all times. The instructor does have the right under extenuating circumstances with proper notification to assist the students by extending the above time requirements.

Incomplete (I) Grades

Please note that any student who has completed less than 75% of their work for the semester cannot earn an “I” contract. If you complete 75% of the work, you can propose an “I” contract to the instructor.

Return of Graded Assignments

I will make every effort to have each assignment graded and posted within one week of the due date. 

Student Evaluations

Students are expected to provide professional and respectful feedback on the quality of instruction in this course by completing course evaluations online via GatorEvals. Guidance on how to give feedback in a professional and respectful manner is available. Students will be notified when the evaluation period opens and can complete evaluations through the email they receive from GatorEvals, in their Canvas course menu under GatorEvals, or via the GatorEvals site.  Summaries of course evaluation results are available to students.

Student Experience

Should you have any complaints about your experience in this course, please visit the NC-SARA Information page. 

Grade Totals and Scales

Grade Points

Assignment Points
Introduction Video 10
Weekly Group Projects (5) 100
Written Assignments (2) 50
Final Group Project (presentation) 100
Final Written Project (paper) 100
Total 360

Grading Scale

A = 93.0 to 100        C   = 73.0 to 76.9
A- = 90.0 to 92.9 C-  = 70.0 to 72.9
B+ = 87.0 to 89.9     D+ = 67.0 to 69.9
B = 83.0 to 86.9 D   = 63.0 to 66.9
B- = 80.0 to 82.9      D-  = 60.0 to 62.9
C+ = 77.0 to 79.9     F   = below 60.0 

Passing Grades

Grade A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D D-
Points 4.0 3.67 3.33 3.0 2.67 2.33 2.0 1.67 1.33 1.0 0.67

Information on current UF grading policies for assigning grade points is available.

Course Schedule

Week(s) Module and Topic Materials Assignments
1 Module 0: Orientation Syllabus and intro videos Intro Video, Course Intro Quiz
2 Module 1: Authentic Leadership Weekly readings and videos Leadership Paper
3-4 Module 2: Honesty Weekly readings and videos Group Project 1
5-6 Module 3: Teamwork Weekly readings and videos Group Project 2
7 Module 4: Midterm Paper Weekly readings and videos Midterm Paper
8 Module 5: Serving a Purpose Weekly readings and videos Group Project 3
9-10 Module 6: Organizational Behavior Weekly readings and videos Group Project 4
11-12 Module 7: Bias Weekly readings and videos Group Project 5
13-14 Module 8: Final Group Project Weekly video Final Group Project (presentation)
15 Module 9: Final Written Project Weekly video Final Written Project (paper)

UF Policies

University Policy on Accommodating Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities requesting accommodations should first register with the Disability Resource Center (352-392-8565) by providing appropriate documentation. Once registered, students will receive an accommodation letter that must be presented to the instructor when requesting accommodation. Students with disabilities should follow this procedure as early as possible in the semester.

University Policy on Academic Conduct

UF students are bound by The Honor Pledge, which states, “We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honesty and integrity by abiding by the Honor Code.” On all work submitted for credit by students at the University of Florida, the following pledge is either required or implied: “On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment.” The Student Honor Code and Student Conduct Code specify a number of behaviors that are in violation of this code and the possible sanctions. Furthermore, you are obligated to report any condition that facilitates academic misconduct to appropriate personnel. If you have any questions or concerns, please consult with the instructor or TAs in this class.

Plagiarism

The Student Honor Code and Student Conduct Code states that:

“A Student must not represent as the student’s own work all or any portion of the work of another. Plagiarism includes but is not limited to:

  • Stealing, misquoting, insufficiently paraphrasing, or patch-writing.
  • Self-plagiarism is the reuse of the student’s own submitted work or the simultaneous submission of the student’s own work without the full and clear acknowledgment and permission of the faculty to whom it is submitted.
  • Submitting materials from any source without proper attribution.
  • Submitting a document, assignment, or material that, in whole or in part, is identical or substantially identical to a document or assignment the student did not author.”

Getting Help

Technical Difficulties

For help with technical issues or difficulties with Canvas, please contact the UF Computing Help Desk at:

Any requests for make-ups (assignments, exams, etc.) due to technical issues should be accompanied by the ticket number received from the UF Computing Help Desk when the problem was reported to them. The ticket number will document the time and date of the problem. You should email your instructor within 24 hours of the technical difficulty if you wish to request a make-up.

Health and Wellness

  • U Matter, We Care: If you or someone you know is in distress, please email umatter@ufl.edu, call 352-392-1575, or visit U Matter We Care to refer or report a concern, and a team member will reach out to the student in distress.
  • Counseling and Wellness Center: Visit the UF Counseling & Wellness Center website or call 352-392-1575 for information on crisis services and non-crisis services.
  • Student Health Care Center: Call 352-392-1161 for 24/7 information to help you find the care you need, or visit the UF Student Health Care Center website.
  • University Police Department: Visit the UF Police Department website or call 352-392-1111 (or 9-1-1 for emergencies).
  • UF Health Shands Emergency Room/Trauma Center: For immediate medical care in Gainesville, call 352-733-011 or go to the emergency room at 1515 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32608. Visit the UF Health Shands Emergency Room/Trauma Center website for more information.

Academic and Student Support

Netiquette and Communication Courtesy

It is important to recognize that the online classroom is, in fact, a classroom, and certain behaviors are expected when you communicate with both your peers and your instructors. These guidelines for online behavior and interaction are known as netiquette.

Security

Remember that your password is the only thing protecting you from pranks or more serious harm.

  • Don’t share your password with anyone.
  • Change your password if you think someone else might know it.
  • Always log out when you are finished using the system.

General Guidelines

When communicating online:

  • Treat the instructor with respect, even via email or in any other online communication.
  • Always use your professors’ proper title: Dr. or Prof., or if you are unsure, use Mr. or Ms.
  • Unless specifically invited, don’t refer to a professor by their first name.
  • Use clear and concise language.
  • Remember that all college-level communication should have correct spelling and grammar.
  • Avoid slang terms such as “wassup?” and texting abbreviations such as “u” instead of “you.”
  • Use standard fonts such as Times New Roman and use a size 12 or 14-point font.
  • Avoid using the caps lock feature, AS IT CAN BE INTERPRETED AS YELLING.
  • Limit and possibly avoid the use of emoticons like :).
  • Be cautious when using humor or sarcasm, as tone is sometimes lost in an email or discussion post, and your message might be taken seriously or be construed as being offensive.
  • Be careful with personal information (both yours and others).
  • Do not send confidential information via email.

Email

When you send an email to your instructor, teaching assistant, or classmates:

  • Use a descriptive subject line.
  • Be brief.
  • Avoid attachments unless you are sure your recipients can open them.
  • Avoid HTML in favor of plain text.
  • Sign your message with your name and return email address.
  • Think before you send the email to more than one person. Does everyone really need to see your message?
  • Be sure you really want everyone to receive your response when you click “Reply All.”
  • Be sure that the message author intended for the information to be passed along before you click the “Forward” button.

Discussion Boards

When posting on the discussion board in your online class:

  • Check to see if anyone already asked your question and received a reply before posting to the discussion board.
  • Remember your manners and say please and thank you when asking for something from your classmates or instructor.
  • Be open-minded.
  • If you ask a question and many people respond, summarize all posts for the benefit of the class.
  • When posting:
    • Make posts that are on-topic and within the scope of the course material.
    • Be sure to read all messages in a thread before replying.
    • Be as brief as possible while still making a thorough comment.
    • Don’t repeat someone else’s post without adding something of your own to it.
    • Take your posts seriously. Review and edit your posts before sending.
    • Avoid short, generic replies such as, “I agree.” You should include why you agree or add to the previous point.
    • If you refer to something that was said in an earlier post, quote a few key lines so readers do not have to go back and figure out which post you are referring to.
    • Always give proper credit when referencing or quoting another source.
    • If you reply to a classmate’s question, make sure your answer is correct, and don’t guess.
    • Always be respectful of others’ opinions, even when they differ from your own.
    • When you disagree with someone, you should express your differing opinion in a respectful, non-critical way.
    • Do not make personal or insulting remarks.
    • Do not write anything sarcastic or angry; it always backfires.
    • Do not type in ALL CAPS, if you do IT WILL LOOK LIKE YOU ARE YELLING.

Zoom

When attending a Zoom class or meeting:

  • Do not share your Zoom classroom link or password with others.
  • Even though you may be alone at home, your professor and classmates can see you! While attending class in your pajamas is tempting, remember that wearing clothing is not optional. Dress appropriately.
  • Your professor and classmates can also see what is behind you, so be aware of your surroundings.
  • Make sure the background is not distracting or something you would not want your classmates to see.
    • When in doubt, use a virtual background. If you choose to use one, you should test the background out first to make sure your device can support it.
    • Your background can express your personality, but be sure to avoid using backgrounds that may contain offensive images and language.
  • Mute is your friend, especially when you are in a location that can be noisy. Don’t leave your microphone open if you don’t have to.
  • If you want to speak, you can raise your hand (click the “raise hand” button at the center bottom of your screen) and wait to be called upon.

Privacy and Accessibility Policies

For information about the privacy policies of the tools used in this course, see the links below: 

Disclaimer

This syllabus represents my current plans and objectives.  As we go through the semester, those plans may need to change to enhance the class's learning opportunities.  Such changes, communicated clearly, are not unusual and should be expected.

Course Map

This map highlights the key resources and assignments for the course and demonstrates how they align with the objectives. 

FES4023 Course Map

Course Summary:

Date Details Due