PHIL 309: Bioethics

PHIL 309-001: Bioethics
(Fall 2017)

12:00 PM to 01:15 PM TR

Nguyen Engineering Building 1110

Section Information for Fall 2017

  • Fulfils the requirement for one course in ethics and social and political philosophy for the Philosophy major
  • Fulfils Mason Core requirement in synthesis

Course Description: 

In this course, students will learn about the most important bioethical issues faced across a human life span, from conception to death. At what point in development do human beings gain moral status? Is it ethical to select embryos that have genetic features of mental or physical superiority? How ought we treat pregnant women and their bodies? How do we know if an adult is mentally capable of making medical decisions? What and when is death? And, do we have an obligation to donate our organs after death? Diverse approaches to these questions will be considered with an emphasis on moral reasoning. Students will also learn practical skills for identifying ethical issues in real-world scenarios, and drafting medical ethics briefings for a mock medical ethics committee. The course is recommended for students interested in careers in healthcare, or those interested in gaining a deeper understanding of philosophical issues in health care. No prior background in philosophy is assumed. 

Objectives:

The course has three main objectives. First, the course will familiarize students with central ethical issues in modern healthcare. Second, it will familiarize students with various philosophical approaches for resolving these issues. Third, it will develop practical skills in critical reasoning, reading, and writing.

 

 

View 6 Other Sections of this Course in this Semester »

Tags:

Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

Examines some major moral issues involved in practice and research in medicine and health care. Topics to be chosen from medical experimentation, definition of death, physician-assisted dying, genetics and human reproduction, distribution of scarce resources, fertility, and organ transplants. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Synthesis
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.