CHB5204

Legal issues in bioethics

(ART)

Justin Oakley (on-campus); John McKie (distance education)

12 points + 2 hours per week + Semester Two + Clayton + OCDL (either semester) + Prerequisite: CHB5101 and CHB5203, or equivalent

Synopsis: This unit provides a framework for understanding the role and impact of law in areas of concern in bioethics, and considers how ethical and social debate can affect the process of law reform. It initially examines what values the state ought to be comitted to, the justifiable limits of legislative intervention, and approaches to the formulation of public policy in a democratic pluralist society. Libertarianism, Communitarianism and other approaches will be discussed. This will be followed by an examination of the current law and legal approach to areas of bioethical concern. The process of legal change and development will also be discussed.

Assessment: Essay (2000 words): 20% + Essay (3000 words): 30% + Take-home exam (4000 words): 50% + Distance education students are also required to keep a journal, recording their work for each topic.