Department of Philosophy
PHL 366A -- Problems in Medical Ethics
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Semester: Spring 1999
When: T, W, Th - 10AM to 11:00 AM
Where: Cornelia Hall C015
Office Hours: T, W, Th 11-12
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Course Objectives:
By the end of the course, students should be able to understand:
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the moral theories which shape medical ethics;
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the various problem areas in medical ethics;
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how to apply medical ethics to concrete situations.
Course Description:
This course will focus on the nature of medical ethics and on the ethical
implications of current problems in medical practice and research.
Required Text:
James E. Giles, Medical Ethics: A Patient-Centered
Approach. Schenkman Publishing Co., 1983.
Online Resources:
UBC's
General Sites on Medical Ethics
Ethics Updates
DePaul's List of
Sites on Medical Ethics
Euthanasia Site
Journal of the
American Medical Association Site
New England Journal of Medicine Site
UB Center:
Bioethics Law in New York State
Grading Criteria
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Midterm test--30%
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Final examination--40%
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Computer-based activities--30%
Policy on Academic Dishonesty:
Cheating on tests will result in failure of the test. Cheating
on the final examination will result in failure of the final examination
and the course.
Attendance Policy:
Absence from a test: no make-up will be given. An exception to
this policy will be considered only if an extremely serious and verified
reason is offered, e.g., a serious illness or injury verified in writing
by a physician. Absence from 9 or more classes: if a student is doing
unsatisfactory work, he or she may receive an FA grade.
Policy on Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty:
"Every effort will be made to ensure justice in any allegation of intellectual
dishonesty. In all cases, educational assistance rather than adversarial
proceedings will be sought. Sanctions may include receiving a failing
grade in the course, and in the case of a second instance, dismissal from
the college."
Course Outline:
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Introduction: patient autonomy versus professional paternalism (2 weeks);
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The basis of patient autonomy: confidentiality, truth—telling, and informed
consent (2 weeks);
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Medical experimentation on competent and incompetent persons (3 weeks);
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Issues of death and dying: competent and incompetent persons (4 weeks);
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Special areas of medical ethics: psychosurgery, organ transplantation,
the nature of health and disease, and the right to health versus the the
right to health care (3 weeks);
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Final topics: avoiding medical imperialism and insuring ethical treatment
by the medical profession (1 week).
Specific readings and computer assignments will be given at the appropriate
time.
Web-Based Discussion
Group
After receiving instruction on how to participate in the discussion
group, the class will be given assignments to be done on the computer.
In order to maximize interaction, students will post responses to the initial
assignment and reply to the responses of other class members. Assignments
will consist of discussing readings, answering specific questions,
doing research using the resources of the Web, and dealing with case studies.
Philosophy
Department || Iona College