Bioética (19BBA00841)
General information
Type: |
OP |
Curs: |
1 |
Period: |
S semester |
ECTS Credits: |
2 ECTS |
Teaching Staff:
| Group |
Teacher |
Department |
Language |
| |
Joan Carrera Carrera |
Ciencias Sociales |
ESP |
Workload distribution
3 types of activities:
Lectures: 60%
Participatory sessions: 40%
-Group reflection followed by a debate in class or video screening, reflection and debate
-Case study analyses
COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO PROGRAM
This course examines issues in the biological and medical fields and in which ethical values come into play as well as how these dilemmas are addressed in plural societies. The course has been designed especially to foment reflection and dialogue on these matters in a society that is ethically plural.
Course Learning Objectives
- Learn to discuss various ethical questions, uncovering the underlying values implied and questioning one's own ethical assumptions compared to others'.
- Become aware of the need to carefully read scientific data before making an ethical assessment
- Acquire knowledge of the key bioethical challenges that plural societies face today
- Apply ethical reasoning to analyse the ethical facet of the bioethical problems addressed.
Competences
| 2. Application of knowledge to achieve results |
| 18. Teamwork and collaboration |
| 3. Taking decisions / making judgments |
| 10. Intellectual curiosity (`enlightened professionalism') |
| 1. Knowledge acquisition, comprehension and structuring |
| 13. Adaptability, flexibility |
Relation between Activities and Competences
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2 |
18 |
3 |
10 |
1 |
13 |
| Final exam |
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| Class participation |
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| Tests with questions for reflection |
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| Case study analyses and debates |
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| Search for information |
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CONTENT
1. Topics I. Introduction to bioethics. Bios versus ethics. The notion of ethics and ethics in a plural world. Some considerations on medicine and being ill (as well as accompanying those who are ill). People who are ill. People and reasons behind the birth of the Belmont Report: its importance and three principles. Two lines: principlism (T. Beauchamp, J. Childress). Four classic bioethics principles (USA); casuistry (A. Jonsen). Civil bioethics. Bioethical maxims. Ethics committees. Bioethics/bio-law.
II. Some cases: surrogate mothers. What is a bioethical institute? Guest speaker: Deputy Director of the Instituto Borja Bioética. Other case studies. Concrete topics: 1. Experimentation on human beings; 2. Genetic engineering; GMOs; cloning; stem-cell therapy; and Statute of Human Embryos; 3. Dying with dignity (orthotanasia: doctor-assisted), euthanasia and palliative care, etc.; 4. The issue of fairness in bioethics (distribution of scarce resources); 5. The ethical challenges raised by new technologies; new technologies and the race for knowledge; 6. Ecology: what values are needed to create an ecological culture?
Activities to develop the different competencies:
Competency 1: lectures
Competency 2: in-class reflection on the different questions raised and readings
Competency 3: case studies and analyses of different dilemmas
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Methodology
The classes will consist of:
1. Topic presentations via PPT
1.1 With breaks for students to reflect both individually and in groups of 2 or 3 on some of the matters raised. Thoughts are then shared with the entire class.
1.2 And additional breaks to read short texts or watch related videos followed by an in-class debate.
2. Analysis of concrete ethical case studies to examine the underlying values and interested parties.
3. Visit from the Director of the Institut Borja Bioètica (URL) followed by a debate on the cases addressed by bioethical institutes and ethical committees in hospitals.
ASSESSMENT
ASSESSMENT BREAKDOWN
| Description |
% |
| Final exam |
40 |
| Class participation |
10 |
| Tests with questions for reflection |
50 |
Assessment criteria
Faculty will assess students on three different components: their class participation (they will be asked to answer specific questions or carry out a case-study type exercise); a question for reflection after completing each thematic block; and a comprehensive final exam (open-book exam).
The final exams consists of bioethical case studies with questions for reflection. Students may use their notes and books, but not their laptops, etc.
Final mark for the subject:
Ongoing assessment: questions for reflection 50% + class participation 10%
Final exam (40%). To be able to sit the final exam, students need to earn a 5 or above (out of 10) on the ongoing assessment component.
Bibliography
Faculty will publish the bibliography on the course website.
Timetable and sections
| Group |
Teacher |
Department |
| |
Joan Carrera Carrera |
Ciencias Sociales |
Timetable
