Philosophy (PHIL)

Course Descriptions

PHIL 542 Medical Ethics 4 Credit Hours

Issues in medical ethics are among the most exciting and most urgent facing the world today. This course will explore some of these issues: the relationship between patient and health caregiver (truth-telling, informed consent, the right to refuse treatment, confidentiality); assisted suicide and euthanasia; treatment of defective newborns; scarce resources, social justice and the right to health care; cloning and genetic manipulation; new reproductive technologies; and others. We will discuss issues from the standpoint of patients, medical professionals, and citizens who shape policy in a democratic society. Ethical theories and concepts will be stressed. Students cannot receive credit for both HPS 442 and HPS 542. Prerequisite(s): any previous course in Philosophy or permission of instructor. (F, W, S).

Restriction(s):
Can enroll if Class is Graduate

*An asterisk denotes that a course may be taken concurrently.

Frequency of Offering

The following abbreviations are used to denote the frequency of offering: (F) fall term; (W) winter term; (S) summer term; (F, W) fall and winter terms; (YR) once a year; (AY) alternating years; (OC) offered occasionally