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Contemporary Issues in Bioethics - PHI00002H

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  • Department: Philosophy
  • Module co-ordinator: Prof. Stephen Holland
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2020-21

Module summary

The aim of the module is to explore philosophically the ethical implications of advances in sciences related to medicine and healthcare.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching cycle
A Autumn Term 2020-21

Module aims

The aim of the module is to explore philosophically the ethical implications of advances in sciences related to medicine and healthcare, specifically:

  • to achieve an understanding of some recent relevant advances in sciences related to medicine and healthcare
  • to look at the moral implications of such advances
  • to apply philosophical theory to bioethical issues

Module learning outcomes

  • To assimilate and engage with recent advances in biomedicine and to apply relevant philosophical theory.
  • To provide students with the opportunity to continue the development of their philosophical skills, such as critically reading texts, presenting written material, and engaging in philosophical discussion.

Module content

The module is organised around philosophical themes relevant to bioethical problems. Examples of relevant themes include moral status; life, death and killing; personal identity; and the argument from nature. Bioethical problems of the following kinds are discussed in depth: stem cell research, xenotransplantation, euthanasia, brain death, advance directives, prenatal genetic intervention, cloning, and genetic enhancements.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay (4000 Words)		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay (4000 Words)		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Feedback on formative work will be provided two weeks after the submission date; feedback on summative work will be provided four weeks after the submission date.

Indicative reading

Holland, S. 2017: Bioethics: A Philosophical Introduction (2nd Edn). Cambridge: Polity.
Holland, S. (ed.) 2012: Arguing about Bioethics. London: Routledge.
Steinbock, B. (ed.) 2007: The Oxford Handbook of Bioethics. Oxford: OUP.

 


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): changes to courses

The 2020/21 academic year will start in September. We aim to deliver as much face-to-face teaching as we can, supported by high quality online alternatives where we must.

Find details of the measures we're planning to protect our community.

Course changes for new students