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  2. PHIL 420 Ethical Issues I
PHIL 420

PHIL 420 Ethical Issues I

PHIL420
Fall
3 Units
In-person
3
  • Prerequisite (Level 4 or above and [PHIL 250/6.0 or {PHIL 251/3.0 and PHIL 252/3.0}] and [{PHIL 242/3.0 and PHIL 243/3.0} or PHIL 257/6.0]) and ([a minimum CGPA of 2.40] or [a minimum GPA of 2.70 in all 300-level PHIL]) and (9.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level) and (registration in a PHIL Plan).

Cross Listed with PHIL 820

one-way Exclusions

  • I will cover the first 3-4 weeks with lectures and readings, after that it will be your turn.

  • The structure of each class is: 20-30 min presentations per topic (by me or you), rebuttal (10-15 min by students assigned that task in advance), general classroom discussion.

  • The required readings will be agreed on in advance of the class.

Instructor: Udo Schuklenk

We will discuss in each class a limited number of specific topics in bioethics. Typically, in this course, the topics are student-initiated. We have, in past installments of this course, covered a wide variety of issues, ranging from gender reassignment to the criminalisation of HIV transmission to standards of care in a trial, global health aid obligations and MAiD for patients with refractory depression.

Reconsider taking this course if presenting content and subjecting yourself to a lively discussion of your views might pose a challenge you’d rather not face.

Reconsider taking this course if the thought of having to write a coherent 5000 or 6000 word argument in support of a position you need to defend/argue for might not be your thing. Everyone else: come on in. The course is usually enjoyed by those taking it.

Learning Outcomes

Assessments

Assessments

You are encouraged to work on a topic/question that is of genuine interest to you, and focus on that, both in your classroom presentation as well as in what will be your only major written piece of work, namely an extended essay (5000 words). In the essay you are required to defend a clear thesis, reviewing arguments without taking and defending a stance won’t cut it.

The objective of these presentations is to ‘test-run’ your essay arguments. The presentation will be on the same topic as your essay.