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2017/18 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

IDEA5312M Ethical Issues at the Beginning of Life

15 creditsClass Size: 30

Module manager: Professor Chris Megone
Email: C.B.Megone@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Module replaces

IDEA5302M Consequences, Killing, and the Value of Life

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

This modules aims to provide philosophical basis for critically examining the moral issues at the beginning of life, considering background theory as well as more specific issues such as:
- Theoretical issues such as: the value of life; moral personhood; the right to life, and rights conflicts; the non-identity problem; potentiality arguments
- Applied issues such as: abortion; prenatal screening; embryo research; reproduction; fertility; contraception

On completion of this module, students should:
- Be familiar with a number of key philosophical texts relating to beginning of life issues.
- Understand the key philosophical positions in the debate around abortion and associated issues.
- Be able to analyse arguments put forward in debates about beginning of life issues, and relate them to key theoretical positions.

Syllabus

We will consider a range of topics in the area, including for example:
- The value of life
- The right to life
- Moral personhood, including the moral status of human foetuses/embryos/gametes etc.
- Abortion and pre-natal screening
- Potentiality
- Reproductive rights, fertility treatment and reproductive technologies
- Embryo and stem cell research

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Seminar82.0016.00
Private study hours134.00
Total Contact hours16.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)150.00

Private study

Detailed study of required readings plus advance preparation of discussion questions for seminars. Preparation of answers to set coursework assignment questions. Independent reading and research for the preparation of assessments.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

2 x 500 word assignment, 1 x 2000 word essay and 1 x Annotated Bibliography 500 words

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Assignment500 words25.00
Assignment500 words25.00
Essay2000 words40.00
ReportAnnotated Bibliography 500 words10.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 26/04/2017

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