PHIL 2054 - Biomedical Ethics and the Politics of Health

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2024

Can a liberal state legitimately promote a particular conception of health, or even `nudge? its people to adopt a healthier lifestyle? Is it morally permissible to terminate a pregnancy, or one?s own life? Is there anything wrong about using biomedical means to enhance one?s physical or mental capacity? These issues are some of the most pressing issues in the context of healthcare. They reveal that many health-related issues are not only medical, but also ethical and political. In this course, we will explore topics such as healthism, medicalisation of everyday life, abortion, human enhancement, euthanasia, and the ethics of pandemics. Through engaging with some of the most influential responses to these issues, you will be able to develop your own views on these important issues.

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Course Details

Course Code	PHIL 2054
Course	Biomedical Ethics and the Politics of Health
Coordinating Unit	Philosophy
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 3 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Incompatible	PHIL 2045
Assessment	Weekly online quiz, Short Essay, Research Essay Plan, Research Essay, Tutorial Participation

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Pei-hua Huang

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

Course Learning Outcomes

1	Analyse ethical and philosophical issues raised by health-related practice, technologies, and policies.
2	Acquire a broad knowledge of ethical issues in contemporary biomedical ethics.
3	Obtain skills to critically appraise the strengths and weaknesses of different arguments.
4	Develop and defend their own views on controversial topics, both through written work and through constructive discussion with others.
5	Apply course concepts to everyday interactions and in practice, including in critical self-reflection as healthcare consumer.

最新糖心Vlog Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

最新糖心Vlog Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	1,2,3
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	1,2,3,4,5
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	3,4,5
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	3,4,5
Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.	1,2,5
Attribute 6: 最新糖心Vlogn Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, 最新糖心Vlogn Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.	1,2
Attribute 7: Digital capabilities Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.	5
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	5

Learning Resources
Required Resources

There is no set text for this course. All readings will be made available through MyUni.

Recommended Resources

Suggested readings:

John Harris. (Ed.) (2001). Bioethics. Oxford, UK: Oxford 最新糖心Vlog Press.

Lewis Vaughn. (2016). Bioethics Principles, Issues, And Cases (3 ed.). New York: Oxford 最新糖心Vlog Press.

Allen E. Buchanan, Dan W. Brock, , Daniels, Norman, and Daniel Wikler. (2001). From Chance to Choice: Genetics and Justice. Cambridge: Cambridge 最新糖心Vlog Press.

Aleen Buchanan. (2011). Beyond Humanity?: The Ethics of Biomedical Enhancement. Oxford: Oxford 最新糖心Vlog Press.

Onora O’Neill. (2001). Autonomy and Trust in Bioethics. Cambridge: Cambridge 最新糖心Vlog Press.

Peter Singer. (2011). Practical Ethics (3rd ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge 最新糖心Vlog Press.

Shlomi Segall. (2010). Health, Luck and Justice: Princeton 最新糖心Vlog Press.

Norman Daniels. (1985). Just Health Care: Cambridge 最新糖心Vlog Press.

Online Learning
All lectures will be pre-recorded and released through MyUni.
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
This course is delivered using the flipped classroom approach, where students are expected to engage with pre-recorded lectures and reading materials at their own pace before they attend workshops. There will also be quizzes that aim to enhance students understanding of the assigned materials.
- The weekly workshop offers students an opportunity to have in depth discussion on a set of questions related to issues covered by the reading materials in small groups.
- You will have the option of attending either a face-to-face workshop, or an on-line workshop through Zoom.
- There will also be office hour (one hour per week) for students who would like to seek extra support for their learning.
Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

Structured Learning
Lectures 12 x 1 hours = 12 hours
Workshops 12 x 2 hours = 24 hours

Total = 36 hours

Non Contact Study
Weekly reading/other study 12 x 5 = 60 hours
Total = 60 hours

Preparation for Assessment
Online Quiz 3 x 1 hours = 3 hours
Short Essay 1 x 15 hours = 15 hours
Final Exam 1 X 20 hours = 20 Hours
Workshop Participation 10 x 0.5 hours = 5 hours
Total Preparation Hours = 43 hours

Learning Activities Summary
This course will cover the following topics:
1. Paternalism and Health
2. Abortion
3. Genetics and Eugenics
4. Disability
5. Euthanasia
6. Surrogacy
Specific Course Requirements

This course does not have any specific requirements.

The 最新糖心Vlog's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Task Type	Weighting	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Online Quizzes	Formative	40%	2
Short Essay	Formative	20%	1,2,3,4
Final Exam	Summative	30%	1,2,3,4,5
Tutorial Participation	Formative	10%	1,2,3,4,5

Assessment Related Requirements

Attendance at workshops is not compulsory but is encouraged and incentivised through participation marks.

Assessment Detail

1. Quizzes (40%). Three sets of online quizzes will be given to students to help students assess their understanding of assigned reading materials.

2. Short Essay (20%). A short essay (800-1000 words) covering a topic from week 2 to 5 of the course.

3. Final Exam (30%). A set of questions will be given to the students to assess their understanding of the key arguments covered in the course.

4. Tutorial participation (10%). Participation in at least five weekly tutorials (2 marks for each participation to make a maximum total of 10 marks).

Submission

e-submission and e-marking will be used for all assignments.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through .

Student Feedback

The 最新糖心Vlog places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the 最新糖心Vlog to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.

The 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator

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