Law on the Beginning and End of Life

Subject LAWS70346 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 7 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

October, Parkville - 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


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: The total class time is between 24 and 26 hours.
Total Time Commitment: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Prerequisites: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Corequisites: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Recommended Background Knowledge: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Non Allowed Subjects: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Core Participation Requirements: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.

Coordinator

Prof Loane Skene

Contact

For the most up-to-date information about this subject, contact the Melbourne Law Masters Office by email at law-masters@unimelb.edu.au or phone 8344 6190 or alternatively visit the subject website: www.masters.law.unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview:

Beginning of life, including the law on:

  • Pre-implantation and prenatal genetic diagnosis
  • Contraception and abortion
  • Compensation for medical injuries sustained during pregnancy and the birth process
  • Withholding and withdrawing treatment from critically ill neonates.

End of life, including the law on:

  • Refusal, withholding and withdrawal of treatment and euthanasia
  • The role of the family and courts in medical decision making
  • The meaning and significance of death
  • Autopsies, the removal and use of organs and tissue after death and the coronial process.
Objectives:

A student who has successfully completed this subject should:

  • Understand the legal rights of doctors, hospitals, patients and family members in relation to medical procedures at the beginning and end of life
  • Understand the process for patients and surrogate decision makers to refuse medical procedures and the limits of that process
  • Be able to advise parents, other family members, guardians and agents on the principles and values that they should consider when making medical decisions on behalf of another person
  • Be able to advise hospitals, doctors and other health professionals on steps they could take if there is a dispute about medical procedures at the beginning or end of life
  • Understand the role of the coroner after a person has died
  • Understand the law on removal and use of organs and tissue after death
  • Be able to critically evaluate the underlying theory of surrogate decision making at the beginning and end of life.
Assessment:

Class presentation (10%)
2,000 word presentation paper (20%) (8 November)
7,000 word research paper (70%) (20 January 2011) on a topic approved by the subject coordinator

Prescribed Texts: Visit the subject website for more information
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Links to further information: http://www.masters.law.unimelb.edu.au/

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