APG5080 - Bioethics and the body - 2019

Matters of the human body are central to many issues discussed in bioethics, and, although mainstream bioethics has largely ignored questions of embodiment, they have become central to recent approaches. This course examines the significant impact that bodily characteristics such as gender, race, age and ability have in bioethics and healthcare. It begins with philosophical exploration of ways of understanding the human body and moral personhood, then extends into topics such as: pregnancy and moral agency; race, genomics and personalized medicine; ageing, technology and care; disability and selective reproductive technologies; health, illness and human enhancement.

1. In-depth familiarity with recent developments in bioethics research;
2. An understanding of the central role of the human body for ethics in healthcare;
3. The ability to provide rigorous, in-depth analysis of bioethical issues, including applying theoretical frameworks to practical problems;
4. The ability to develop and articulate one's own position regarding bioethical issues;
5. High level skills in both written and oral expression;
6. High level research skills.

Within semester assessment: 100%

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

Bioethics