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.
Outline
Unit 1 Ethical Dimensions of Health and Health Care
Unit 2 Ethical Theory and Moral Reasoning
Unit 3 Resource Allocation
Unit 4 Health Care Relationships
Unit 5 Informed Consent
Unit 6 Ethical Dimensions of Health Research on Humans
Unit 7 Abortion
Unit 8 Reproduction and Genetics
Unit 9 Euthanasia
Unit 10 Broadening the Agenda of Health Ethics
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
Gedge, Elisabeth (Boetzkes) and Wilfrid J. Waluchow, eds. Readings in Health Care Ethics, 2nd edition. Peterborough, ON: Broadview Press, 2012. (Print)
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).
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized study counterparts.