Bioethics (PHIL 235)
Manchester University, January 2016 Instructor: Steve Naragon
Reading and Assignment Schedule
Required Texts
• Robert M. Veatch, Amy M. Haddad, and Dan C. English, Case Studies in Biomedical Ethics, 2nd ed. (Oxford University Press, 2015) [ISBN-13: 978-0199946563]
• Occasional handouts (available through links on this page)
In these readings, you will likely encounter many words that you do not know. Some of these will be medical terms, some will be philosophical terms, and some may be part of a general vocabulary that is larger than your own.
You must rise to the challenge in all three of these areas, and learn those words! I have developed an online bioethics glossary (see the link in the menu to the left) of which I expect you to make active and constant use; it is aimed primarily at the philosophical vocabulary found in bioethics. For terms not found there, consult any good dictionary.
How to Succeed in this Class
First, be sure to show up for class. Second, show up prepared to talk and ask questions. The best way to be prepared is to set aside about two hours of your time in order to do the following:
(a) Read through the list of “WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW HOW TO DO” listed with each day (on this page).
(b) Work through the assigned readings, making notes in the margins as you go — and be sure to check the relevant entries in the Bioethics Glossary, since some of what you need to know is in the Glossary, but not the Veatch text.
(c) Re-read that list of “WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW HOW TO DO” and consider whether you know how to do those things yet; if you don't, then return to the assigned “Readings” and the Bioethics Glossary, and study them some more until you do. Repeat steps (a) through (c) as needed.
(d) When you have a little extra time, take a look at some of the “Other Resources”. They are usually pretty interesting, and they will often give you a different angle on the topic being considered. If you want, write up an Extra Credit Journal on one of these items.
If you follow this procedure consistently during the term — and if you put your best effort into the writing assignments — then you should do well on the daily quizzes, you should be ready for the exams, you will do well in the course, and you will learn quite a lot of bioethics.
Assignments
Due dates for the Discussion Forum postings/comments and Case Study postings are listed below. The Case Study postings are due before class, while the Discussion Forum postings are due by the end of the day (midnight).
Any extra credit journals are always due three days after the topic was listed (under “Other Resources”), although any from the end of the term are due by Friday, January 22. All of these are to be submitted through a drop box in D2L. Late work can still be submitted, but it will be penalized. I encourage you to submit work early, when you can.
Moral Theory and Practice
Mon, Jan 4
DF #1 is due at midnight (see D2L) [rubric]
[a.m.]
(1) What is Bioethics? [show]
[p.m.]
(2) Overview of Moral Theories [show]
Tue, Jan 5
Comments on DF #1 are due at midnight (see D2L) [rubric]
[a.m.]
(3) A Model for Problem-Solving [show]
[p.m.]
(4) Values and Moral Judgment [show]
Principles in Medical Ethics
Wed, Jan 6
[a.m.]
Case study #1 is due (see D2L) [rubric]
(5) Beneficence and Nonmaleficence [show]
[p.m.]
(6) Distributive Justice [show]
Thu, Jan 7
DF #2 is due at midnight (see D2L) [rubric]
[a.m.]
Case study #2 is due (see D2L) [rubric]
(7) Autonomy [show]
[p.m.]
(8) Veracity and Fidelity [show]
Fri, Jan 8
[a.m.] — Exam #1
[p.m. — start at noon]
(9) Bioethics at the Movies: Wit (2001) [show]
Matters of Life and Death
Mon, Jan 11
Comments on DF #2 are due at midnight (see D2L) [rubric]
[a.m.]
Case study #3 is due (see D2L) [rubric]
(10) Killing and Letting Die [show]
[p.m.]
(11) Assisted Suicide [show]
Tue, Jan 12
[a.m.]
Case study #4 is due (see D2L) [rubric]
(12) Death and the Incompetent [show]
[p.m.]
(13) Abortion: Whose Body? [show]
Wed, Jan 13
[a.m.]
Case study #5 is due (see D2L) [rubric]
(14) Abortion: Rights and Duties [show]
[p.m.]
(15) Impaired Infants [show]
Thu, Jan 14
DF #3 is due at midnight (see D2L) [rubric]
[a.m.]
(16) Genetic Screening [show]
[p.m.]
(17) Surrogate Mothers [show]
Fri, Jan 15
[a.m.] — Exam #2
[p.m. — start at noon]
(18) Bioethics at the Movies: John Q (2002) [show]
Mental Health and Confidentiality
Mon, Jan 18
Comments on DF #3 are due at midnight (see D2L) [rubric]
[a.m.]
(19) Mental Health and Behavior Control [show]
[p.m.]
(20) Confidentiality [show]
Allocating Scarce Resources
Tue, Jan 19
[a.m.]
Case study #6 is due (see D2L) [rubric]
(21) Organ Transplants [show]
[p.m. — start at noon]
(22) Bioethics at the Movies: Extreme Measures (1996) [show]
Wed, Jan 20
DF #4 is due at midnight (see D2L) [rubric]
[a.m.]
Case study #7 is due (see D2L) [rubric]
(23) Health Insurance [show]
[p.m.]
(24) Healthcare Rationing [show]
Research and Treatment
Thu, Jan 21
Comments on DF #4 are due at midnight (see D2L) [rubric]
[a.m.]
Case study #8 is due (see D2L) [rubric]
(25) Experimentation on Human Subjects [show]
[p.m.]
(26) Research and the Public Good [show]
Fri, Jan 22
[a.m.]
(27) Consent and Refusing Treatment [show]
[p.m.] — Exam #3
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