Bioethike

PHL 240: Bioethics

Fall, 2011

Instructor: Robert C. Baker, M.Div., M.S.                     Office & Office Hours:
Phone: 314…                                                                    Instructor is generally available after
E-mail: …@lindenwood.edu                                                class and by appointment.

Course Description: This course is an introduction to the field of bioethics and ethical issues in healthcare. Topics will include the relation of general moral theory to the medical field; the nature of medicine and the role of doctors, nurses, and others; moral questions related to the elimination of disease, medical enhancements, and questions relating to life and death; and issues related to technology in medicine, such as cloning and genetic engineering. Prerequisite: ENG 17000 with a “C” or better. The course is reading intensive and will involve the discussion of controversial and sensitive subjects.

Text: Intervention and Reflection: Basic Issues in Medical Ethics, 8^th ed., Ronald Munson (Tomson/Wadsworth, 2008). Text will be supplemented by materials provided by the instructor (Blackboard, handouts, etc.).

Requirements: Four non-cumulative tests (each 20% of grade); case studies (10% of grade); class participation (10% of grade). Tests will cover the material discussed in the appropriate section of the course. Test 4 is the final. In lieu of a paper, students will apply what they have learned to questions of casuistry in the Munson text. Minimum word count for each of the 10 case study submissions is 200. Submissions will be judged on the basis of grammar, clarity and strength of argument, and engagement with course materials. Late submissions will suffer the loss of a letter grade (A-B, B-C, etc.) for each day late. All students at Lindenwood University are expected to attend all classes and class activities for which they have enrolled. Excuses for absences should be offered in writing (a) in advance from the University (for extra-curricular activities, etc.); (b) in advance from the student (for funerals, weddings, etc.); or (c) following the absence by an emergency room or personal physician.  Class participation presupposes class attendance, which will be recorded throughout the semester. Three unexcused absences will result in the loss of a letter grade (A-B, B-C, etc.) Seven unexcused absences will result in an F for the course.

Grading scale: A = 100%-90%; B = 80%-89.9%, etc.

Lindenwood Mission Statement: Provide values-centered programs leading to the development of the whole person–an educated, responsible citizen of a global community.

Lindenwood is firmly rooted in Judeo-Christian values including belief in an ordered, purposeful universe, the dignity of work, the worth and integrity of the individual, the obligations and privileges of citizenship, and the primacy of the truth.

Course Objectives: By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Give evidence of critical reading, writing and reasoning skills;
• Explain key moral concepts underlying contemporary bioethical work;
• Demonstrate proficiency in applying philosophical, legal, and medical insights to the field;
• Compare and contrast various arguments used in controversial bioethical issues;
• Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of those arguments; and
• Formulate their own perspectives in light of what they have learned.

Optimal Learning Environment: Your education and the education of your colleagues is important. To minimize distraction during class, cell phone ringers are to be turned off. You are strongly discouraged from checking phone or e-mail messages, texting, or surfing the Web during class.

Testing: Electronic devices (laptops, iPads, cell phones, etc.), books, notes, and papers, as well as food and drink items are not permitted during the administration of tests. On test days, leave these items at home or store them securely elsewhere.

Hats: Lindenwood University policy prohibits hats or other head covers from being worn in class or in University buildings. Please consult the Student Handbook for additional regulations.

Disability Statement: If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodations for participation in this course, you need to contact Jared Conner, Student Support and Accessibility Coordinator, at 636-949-4510 or jconner@lindenwood.edu and notify your professor during the first week of class so that accommodations can be made. Reasonable accommodations will be made to ensure that disabled students have a fair opportunity to perform at their potential. Students are responsible for providing the instructor with a Campus Accessibility Faculty Notification Form specifying classroom accommodations.  Your academic advisor can also help with this process.

University Policies and Guidelines: This class is governed by the University’s published policies and guidelines in the Undergraduate Catalog and the Student Handbook. The following polices are of special interest:

Academic Honesty: Academic dishonesty is an exceptionally serious offense to oneself and one’s colleagues. The fabric of a learning community is woven by a bond of trust: the work to which we affix our names is our own.  To act otherwise is to undermine the contract of good faith on which productive study and the open exchange of ideas is based.  Therefore, students wishing to maintain formal membership in a learning community must display the high level of integrity expected of all its members.  According to Lindenwood University’s Academic Honesty policy, names of students found guilty of cheating or plagiarizing will be sent to the University Provost.  A first offense of academic dishonesty may result in a lessened or failing grade on the work/test or failure in the course.  A second offense will lead to academic probation and failure of the class, and a third offense will result in expulsion from the University.  Any questions concerning this policy should be directed to the Provost.

Cheating: Cheating shall be defined by Lindenwood University as “disseminating or receiving answers, data, or other information by any means other than those expressly permitted by the instructor.  Examples of cheating include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Copying answers, data, or other information (or allowing others to copy) during an examination, quiz, or laboratory experiment or on homework or any other academic exercise.
2. Assuming another individual’s identity or allowing another person to do so on one’s own behalf for the purpose of fulfilling any academic requirement or in any way enhancing the student’s grade or academic standing.
3. Using any device, implement, or other form of study aid during an examination, quiz, laboratory experiment, or any other academic exercise without the faculty member’s permission.”

Source for quotation:  http://www.deltacollege.edu/dept/ar/catalog/cat0910/index.htm.

Lying/Deception: Deception, in either written or oral form, directed at University personnel by a student for the purpose of improving his/her own academic standing or that of another student is subject to disciplinary action as part of the Lindenwood University Academic Integrity policy.

Withdrawals:  Undergraduate students may drop a class within the first week of class of each term without having to obtain the signature of the faculty member, and the class will be dropped as a “never attend” if the drop does not affect his/her academic load. Students dropping a class during the first week of class resulting in a change of his/her academic load will be withdrawn from his/her class with the grade of “W” if the student attended the class. Students wishing to withdraw from all of his/her classes need to obtain the signature of each instructor to indicate the last date of attendance in each class. To withdraw from a course with a “W,” students must complete and sign a withdrawal form before the last day to withdraw with a “W,” secure the signature of his/her academic advisor, and, if he/she has attended the course at least once, the signature of the instructor of the course. Students wishing to withdraw from a course after the deadline to withdraw with a “W” will receive either a grade of “WP” (withdraw passing) or “WF” (withdraw failing). The deadline for WP/WF grades shall be a date for each term as set annually on the Academic Calendar at the 60% mark of the term, semester, quarter, or five-term program. Neither grade will affect the student’s grade point average.

Subject to Change: This syllabus and course calendar is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor to accommodate instructional and/or student needs.

Important Dates 2011-2012 Academic Year: 

Fall Semester

Classes Begin                                                                                         August 22

Last day to register for or add class, or choose audit                    August 26

Convocation @ 10 AM                                                                                         August 31

Labor Day Holiday                                                                                                 September 5

Last day to withdraw with “W”                                                                    September 30

Last date to withdraw with “WP”/”WF”                                                 October 28

Faculty In-service Day- no classes

held except for MBA and LCIE evening classes                             November 23

Thanksgiving Holiday                                                                                         November 24-25

Last Day of Classes                                                                                                 December 2

Final Exams                                                                                                                 December 5-9

Lindenwood residential semester student housing

closes at 4:30 PM                                                                                             December 9

Final Grades due, 5:00 p.m.                                                                               December 13

Deadline to apply for March/May/June Graduation                       December 30

 

Date      Lecture	Readings	Case Studies
8/22     Intro to Bioethics	Syllabus
8/24     Ethical Theories: Utilitarian, Kantian	Munson 741-55 (up to Ross); Embryo 83-97
8/26     Natural Law	Munson 764-69 (up to Major); Embryo 98-111
8/29     Principlism	Munson 769-81; Beauchamp/Childress (selected)
8/31     Virtue, Care, & Feminist Ethics	Munson 782-91; Kass 11-29 (up to III)
9/2       Health and the End of Medicine	Kass 29-42
9/5       LABOR DAY HOLIDAY	***Munson 3-26 (up to Ethical)
9/7       Research Ethics:	Munson 29-44 (skip Willowbrook)
9/9       Nazis and NurembergREVIEW	Munson 51-52 (up to Belmont); Oxford 18-30 (1st)
9/12     TEST ONE
9/14     Willowbrook State School	Munson 38-39; 44-51; Oxford 80-85 (read first)	Munson TBD
9/16     Helsinki, Belmont & The Common Rule	Munson 52-55 (up to Philosoph.); Oxford 141-67
9/19     Physicians, Patients, & Others	Munson 98-113; Thomasma; Quill & Brody
9/21     Race, Gender & Medicine: Tuskegee	Munson 212-14; Oxford 86-96	Munson TBD
9/23     Racial & Gender Inequalities	Munson 215-38 (up to Readings)
9/26     Other Social Inequalities	Munson 242-64 (up to Decision)
9/28     Genetic Control: Stem Cells & Cloning	Munson 271-77 (up to Genetic); Embryo 27-56	Munson TBD
9/30     Genetic InterventionLAST DAY TO WITHDRAW WITH “W”	Munson 277-96 (up to Social)
10/3     Split Decision, Part 1	Munson 312-16; President’s C 2002: Ch. 6
10/5     REVIEW		Munson TBD
10/7     TEST TWO
10/10   Split Decision, Part 2	President’s Council 2002: Chs. 1, 5
10/12   Moral Views on the Embryo	Munson 318-37 (up to Genetic)	Munson TBD
10/14   Genetic Testing	Munson 337-59 (up to Decision)
10/17   Reproductive Control: Techniques	Munson 365-83
10/19   Privacy; Griswold v. Connecticut;Eisenstadt v. Baird	Menikoff 17-38	Munson TBD
10/21   Dolly, Louise & Baby M	Munson 384-409
10/24   In re Baby M; Johnson v. Calvert	Menikoff 84-110
10/26   Savior Siblings and Surrogacy	Munson 414-22; 430-47	Munson TBD
10/28   Terminations: Roe v. WadeLAST DAY TO WITHDRAW WITH “WP/WF”	Munson 547-48 (up to Briefing); Menikoff 53-63
10/31     Human Development & Abortion	Munson 548-53 (up to Ethical); 555-69 (up to Social)
11/2     Planned Parenthood v. Casey;Stenberg v. Carhart, et al.	Munson 569-72 (up to Case); Menikoff 68-83	Munson TBD
11/4     REVIEW
11/7     TEST THREE
11/9      Moral Views on Abortion	Munson 573-94 (up to Why)	Munson TBD
11/11   Moral Views on the Fetus	Munson 594-617 (up to Decision)
11/14     Euthanasia/PAS: Terri Schaivo	Munson 676-87 (up to Ethical)
11/16     Ethics of Caregiving	President’s Council 2005: Ch. 3	Munson TBD
11/18     In re Quinlan	Munson 689-91 (up to Case); Menikoff 241-56
11/21     In re Cruzan	Munson 691-93; Menikoff 304-29
11/23     FACULTY INSERVICE
11/24-25 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
11/28     Oregon and The Netherlands	Munson 694-703 (up to Readings); Finnis
11/30	Munson 703-25
12/2       Oregon and The Netherlands RevisitedREVIEW	McKeown
12/5-9   FINALS WEEK; TEST FOUR
*** Required reading over the break.

Readings and Schedule subject to change. Changes will be announced in class an/or via Blackboard.