Programme/Approved Electives for 2022/23
Law and Society (Level 4)Law and Society (Level 4)
Available as a Free Standing Elective
No
Students on the MA in Medical Ethics and Law will already have completed two foundational modules in Medical Ethics and Law.Students taking this module as an elective within another programme should have some knowledge of the key principles and methods of medical ethics and law. Those without such background may be allowed to take the module on completion of recommended background reading.
ETH-40038 Ethical Issues in Care of the Dying
This module is designed for students on the MA Medical Ethics and Law, but is also available to students on the LLM Law and Society and other programmes at the discretion of the Programme Director.Students who are not enrolled on the MA Medical Ethics and Law should have some prior knowledge of the key principles and methods of medical ethics and law. Those without such background may be allowed to take the module on completion of recommended background reading.The module enables students to extend their knowledge of ethical and legal concepts, principles and theories, especially those relating to the moral and legal status of persons and human bodies and the value and boundaries of human life, and to apply such principles to practical issues in healthcare and medical practice including intervention at the beginning and end of life and modification of the human body.Topics covered typically include:- abortion: ethical and legal issues;- regulating reproduction;- selective reproduction and saviour siblings;- euthanasia: ethical issues;- death, dying and the law;- advance directives;- postmortem organ transplant;- treatment of intersex children;- transgender, medicine and the law;- assignment guidance and feedback.The module often includes a talk by a visiting speaker, which provides an insight into academic work in healthcare ethics and law taking place in other institutions.The contact teaching is delivered in an intensive three-day block in order to be accessible to healthcare practitioners in full-time employment. Teaching is by interactive lectures, plenary and small-group discussion. Students on the MA Medical Ethics and Law will meet with their supervisor during the teaching block, and all students have the opportunity to receive feedback on a 500-word assignment plan.
Aims
To enable students to extend their knowledge of ethical and legal concepts, principles and theories, especially those relating to the moral and legal status of persons and human bodies and the value and boundaries of human life. To enable students to apply such principles to practical issues in healthcare and medical practice including intervention at the beginning and end of life and modification of the human body.
Intended Learning Outcomes
describe, analyse, compare and evaluate key arguments in the academic literature on a topic relating to life, death and the human body; will be achieved by assessments: 01identify relevant ethical and/or legal principles and demonstrate understanding of these by using them to evaluate and critique arguments and positions encountered in the literature; will be achieved by assessments: 01provide succinct explanation of the practices or policies under consideration and assess any empirical controversies relevant to the ethical or legal arguments; will be achieved by assessments: 01synthesise findings into a logical argument that explicitly addresses the assignment question, and defend the argument against foreseeable criticisms; will be achieved by assessments: 01communicate complex issues and arguments in a clear and structured manner; will be achieved by assessments: 01employ appropriate academic conventions regarding citation and referencing. will be achieved by assessments: 01
Interactive lecture/seminar sessions:17Individual discussions with tutor (face-to-face and/or via electronic communications): 1Background reading: 100Preparation of assignment plan: 20Assignment research and writing: 162
Description of Module Assessment
1: Essay weighted 100%5000 word essayStudents will choose one from a selection of essay questions, which reflect the main themes of the module. The questions typically require students to evaluate an area of healthcare-related practice, policy or law using ethical and/or legal concepts, principles and theories.