APG5732 - Ethical issues in professional life - 2017

This unit examines some fundamental ethical issues in professional life, and the moral foundations of professional obligations. The unit begins by introducing the three main ethical theories - Kantianism, utilitarianism, and virtue ethics - and explains how each theory characteristically approaches issues in professional ethics. It moves on to examine euthanasia and the medical and nursing professions; zealous advocacy and the legal profession; and social justice and business professionals. It also deals with whistle-blowing and some issues in the moral psychology of professional roles.

Students will acquire the skills to:

• understand how each of the three major ethical theories characteristically approaches issues which commonly arise in professional life
• understand some important distinguishing features of professionals, and the ethical obligations involved in being a professional
• reflect upon and critically examine the goal(s) of their chosen profession
• analyse and evaluate certain ethical issues which arise in their own profession by taking a broader perspective, and seeing how that perspective arises out of parallel issues in other professions

Within semester assessment: 60% + Exam: 40%

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 288 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. A unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information

Assoc Prof Justin Oakley

Bioethics

APG5393

APR5732