Bioethics: Clinical Issues (Phil 875)
Dr. Lee
Office hrs: : M&W 2:15—3:15; T 4:30-5:30, Stafford, Rm. 154.
/Fall, 2009
E-mail:
Phone: 284-5339
/Website:
OBJECTIVES:
A. Disinguish the basic ethical theories appealed to in Bioethics discussions.
B. Articulate the basic arguments on the key bioethics issues concerningthe beginning of life,, procreative decisions, and informed consent.
C. Apply natural law principles to selected bioethical problems and detailed case studies.
Texts:
(1) William E. May, Catholic Bioethics and the Gift of Life, 2nd edition.
(2) Online readings and handout papers.
TOPIC / ASSIGNMENT (PARTIAL LIST)Aug / 25 / Introduction; End of Life Decisions
Sept / 1 / Natural Law; Experimentation and Consent / May, 21-35; 43-47; 213-228; 49-66
8 / Natural Law; End of Life Decisions / Online readings #1 (Singer); May, 259-274
15 / The Human Person and Bioethics / Online reading #2, #3 and part of #4: Lee, George, Goetz, and Taliaferro on Body-Self Dualism; Lee and George, Body-Self Dualismin Contemporary Ethics, ch.1
22 / The Human Person and Bioethics / Part of online readings #5: Haskers, pp. 27-64.
29 / End of Life Decisions; Organ Donation / Parts of online readings #4 and #5: Haskers, 64-80; Lee and George, Body-Self Dualism in Contemporary Ethics, ch.2.
Oct / 6 / End of Life Issues / May, 275-314
13 / End of Life Issues / TBA
20 / Suffering and Death / TBA
27 / The Human Person; Brain Death / May, 315-361
Nov / 3 / Enhancement; Genetic Medicine / Online reading #4; May, 237-249
10 / Genetic Medicine; Allocation of Scarce Medical Resources / TBA
17 / Allocation of Scarce Medical Resources / TBA
24 / Allocation of Scarce Medical Resources / TBA
Dec / 1 / Conclusion
PAPER: Approximately 12-15 pp. long. A list of topics will be provided.
CLASS PRESENTATION:Each student will participate in a class presentation (15 minutes) on a selected issue.
OTHER WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: At times I may ask you to write one or two paragraphs on the reading assignment as preparation for a discussion in class. Summary-outlines of certain passages (sections of articles) will also be assigned. The grades for these (pass or fail) will be figured into the participation grade.
EXAMS: There will be two exams: a take-home exam at mid-semester and the final exam. The final exam will be cumulative.
GRADES: The grade will be calculated as follows: About 30% for each exam, 20% for the paper, and 20% for participation (the class presentation will be calculated as part of class participation).
ACCOMMODATIONS: Any student who may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact me privately to discuss his or her specific needs. Also, please contact Rose Kline, the director of Student Academic Services at 284-5358 or visit Egan Hall room 105C to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities.
CHEATING/PLAGIARISM: A student who is caught cheating on any test or plagiarizing a paper shall fail the course and have a memorandum of this action placed in his or her file. If a student repeats this actions, dismissal will result, with the action so noted in the student’s permanent record.