Assessment

Exam 100%

Module Aims

This module aims to introduce learners to some of the basic components of the Catholic Moral Tradition through an engagement with contemporary topics in the area of bioethics. It examines issues at the intersection of normative theories of human conduct (bio-ethics) with the field of medicine (bio-ethics), such as conscience and decision-making, models of morality, and current issues in medicine.

Indicative Syllabus

• Introduction to Themes. Bioethics as an intersection of fields of enquiry (On-campus)
• The Promise and Purpose of Medicine (Self-directed)
• The Practices of Medicine (Live online)
• Attending to Ethical Experience (Self-directed)
• Three Models of Morality (Live online)
• Attending to A Religious Practice (Self-directed)
• Theological Anthropology and Implications for Medicine (Live online)
• The Natural Law (Self-directed)
• Conscience and Decision Making (Live online)
• On the beginning of life – Abortion, IVF and ART (On-campus)
• On sustaining life – Irish healthcare system and justice (Self-directed)
• On sustaining life – Resource Allocation and organ transplantation (Live online)
• On the End of Life: Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide (Live online)

Learning Outcomes

• — (LO1) Identify issues and current trends in contemporary healthcare, clinical practice and biomedical research 
• — (LO2) Demonstrate a systematic knowledge of a range of ethical theories and moral principles
• — (LO3) Display a knowledge of the foundational principles in the Catholic moral tradition, including natural law, conscience and communal decision making
• — (LO4) Appraise ethical frameworks for dealing with ethical challenges in health care
• — (LO5) Relate the resources offered by the Catholic moral tradition to a vision of medicine and clinical practice
• — (LO6) Engage with a selection of ethical issues in the field of medical ethics.

Bibliography

• — Ashley, Benedict M & O’Rourke, Kevin D., Health Care Ethics: A Theological Analysis, Catholic Health Association of US, 1997.
• — Corkery, Padraig. Bioethics and the Catholic Moral Tradition. Dublin: Veritas, 2011.
• — Sowle-Cahil, Lisa. Theological Bioethics. Washington: Georgetown, 2005
• — Meilaender, Gilbert. Bioethics: A Primer for Christians. Eerdmans; 2004.
• — O’Rourke, Kevin D and Phillip Boyle. Medical Ethics: Sources of Catholic Teachings. 4th edn. Washington D.C.: Georgetown University Press, 2011.
• — Shannon, Thomas A. An Introduction to Bioethics. 4th edn. Mahweh NJ: Paulist Press, 2009
• — Sutton, Agneta. Christian Bioethics: A Guide for the Perplexed. London: T&T Clark, 2008.
• — Walter, James J & Shannon, Thomas A. Contemporary Issues in Bioethics: A Catholic Perspective. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2005.