Overview
This course provides an introduction to selected ethical problems associated with health and health care in Canada and more globally. For instance, how should we allocate resources to health care, as compared with other initiatives influencing our health at the population level (education, social services, preventive public health measures)? What is the character of morally appropriate therapeutic relationships? How should we regulate new reproductive technologies? What particular moral problems are associated with abortion, euthanasia, and research on human subjects? Students will become familiar with traditional ethical theories and some recent challenges to them. Through readings, cases, and written work, students will learn to consider applications of theoretical approaches to current moral dilemmas in health and health care, and will develop skills necessary to critically analyze new developments.
Learning outcomes
When you have completed Philosophy 335, you should be able to
- effectively recognize those situations that require ethical judgment, with particular attention to those situations that are encountered by health-care professionals.
- accurately identify and understand moral issues that are faced by health-care professionals.
- develop and present arguments relevant to resolving these issues.
- critique and defend ethical judgments and points of view related to these issues.
Evaluation
To receive credit for PHIL 335, you must submit every piece of written work and achieve a course composite grade of at least D (50 percent). The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
| Activity | Weight |
| Short Answer Responses | 20% |
| Case Study Essay | 40% |
| Final Exam | 40% |
| Total | 100% |
The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Physical course materials
The following course materials are included in a course package that will be shipped to your home prior to your course’s start date:
Gedge, Elisabeth (Boetzkes) and Wilfrid J. Waluchow, eds. Readings in Health Care Ethics, 2nd edition. Peterborough, ON: Broadview Press, 2012.
Other Materials
All other materials are available online.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the PHIL 335 challenge registration, you must achieve an overall grade of at least D (50 percent).
| Activity | Weight |
| Case Study Essay | 40% |
| Final Exam | 60% |
| Total | 100% |
Challenge for credit course registration form