Bioethics: The Fundamental Debates

Subject 505-405 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

Classroom

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: One 2-hour lecture per week
Total Time Commitment: Students should expect a total time commitment outside the stated contact hours of at least three hours for each hour of contact in this subject.
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Dr Giuliana Fuscaldo

Contact

Centre for Health and Society

School of Population Health

Subject Overview:

This subject introduces students to the classic debates in bioethics about reproduction, life and death. Specific topics may include: active and passive euthanasia, abortion, organ transplantation, reproductive and genetic technologies (e.g. cloning, pre-natal diagnosis and embryos research), among others. There will be a focus on key theoretical issues, such as the notion of moral status, the concept of personhood, the claimed moral distinction acts and omissions, the so-called Doctrine of Double Effect, obligations to future persons and the non-identity problem, and so on. Normative moral theory will be discussed as it relates to key topics and issues.

Objectives: *
Assessment:

Review of set readings totalling 1,500 words, due mid semester (30%)

Essay of approximately 2,500 words due at end of semester (70%).

Prescribed Texts: None
Recommended Texts: A set of readings will be available for purchase.

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Links to further information: http://www.sph.unimelb.edu.au
Notes:

This subject is a Group 1 elective in the Master of Public Health.

Related Course(s): Graduate Diploma in Social Health
Graduate Diploma in Social Health (Health Ethics)
Graduate Diploma in Social Health (Medical Anthropology)

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