0005 583H Humanities
Philosophers in Medical Ethics

Instructor(s): Ira Kodner, M.D. Solon & Bettie Gershman Professor of Surgery Dr. Matthew Cashen Student Coordinators: Julia Warren Kristin Schwendinger

The primary purpose of this course is to provide an intellectual grounding in the basic theories, principles and contemporary issues of bioethics and its applications to the field of medicine. This study will combine theoretical and practical aspects of ethics by focusing on: (1) Understanding the nature and philosophical underpinnings of major ethical theories derived from classical figures. (2) Developing critical thinking through individual case studies. (3) Stimulating interest in thinking about philosophy.

Topics will be approached from an interdisciplinary perspective. The course will include students and professors from various professional programs such as social work, law and medicine.

Throughout the course, students will complete the following objectives:

Become familiar with the philosophical origins and progression of the major schools of moral philosophy.
Critically appraise ethical theory and identify relevant strengths and weaknesses.
Apply theoretical concepts in the context of specific biomedical applications.
Reflect critically on one’s own ethical decision-making processes.
Identify one’s own values, beliefs and attitudes.
Acquire tools to develop an analytical framework for decision making when facing moral challenges.

These goals will be met through an exploration of current issues such as euthanasia, research on vulnerable populations, end of life decisions, universal healthcare, and paternalism in the patient-physician relationship. Sessions will comprise readings from both classical and contemporary literature, discussions, case studies, and interactions with guest speakers.

Course details:
This course will meet for a total of eleven sessions throughout the semester. Three of the sessions will be optional.

Class Structure:

Overview presentation on specific school of ethical discourse
Development of ethical principles
Current challenges to this approach to ethical decision making
Specific case analysis.

Time allocation:

In the first half of the class, the guest speaker/lecturer/professor will have 40 minutes to cover portions I, II, and III. The second half of the class will be 40 minutes for portion IV – specific case analysis.

Student Enrollment:

Class size is limited to 25 students, comprising of up to15 medical students and up to ten students collectively from other disciplines such as law and social work.

Student participation:

This course involves a high degree of class participation and discussion. For example, students may take a turn to prepare a case in advance and serve as a discussion leader. On occasion, students may consider a case from several different perspectives through the use of small groups.

Time:

5:30-7:00pm

Date:

1/15/2009
1/22/2009
1/29/2009
2/05/2009
2/12/2009
2/19/2009
2/26/2009
3/05/2009
4/02/2009
4/09/2009
4/16/2009

Location:

Farrell Learning and Teaching Center Small Group Room to be determined