2019/20 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue
IDEA5313M Ethical Issues at the End of Life
15 creditsClass Size: 30
Module manager: Dr Carl Fox
Email: c.a.fox@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2019/20
Module replaces
IDEA5303M Abortion, Euthanasia, Life and DeathThis module is not approved as an Elective
Objectives
The module aims to provide philosophical basis for critically examining the moral issues at the end of life, considering background theory as well as more specific issues, such as:- Theory: examining the morality of killing and the value of human life; quality of life; the implications of consequentialism as applied to the morality of killing – the difference between killing and letting die, and alternatives to consequentialism; slippery slopes.
- Applied: Palliative care; suicide; active and passive euthanasia; withdrawing treatment.
On completion of this module, students should:
- Be familiar with a number of key philosophical texts relating to end of life decisions.
- Understand the difference between withdrawing treatment and euthanasia, and the difference between active and passive euthanasia.
Syllabus
Will include topics such as:
- The wrongness of killing
- Consequentialism and non-consequentialism
- Suicide and assisted suicide
- Palliative care
- Quality of life and best interests
- Withdrawing treatment
- Active and passive euthanasia
Teaching methods
Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
Seminar | 8 | 2.00 | 16.00 |
Private study hours | 134.00 | ||
Total Contact hours | 16.00 | ||
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
1 x 3000 word essay and 1 x Annotated Bibliography 500 wordsMethods of assessment
Coursework
Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
Essay | 3000 words | 90.00 |
Report | Annotated Bibliography 500 words | 10.00 |
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 websiteLast updated: 24/07/2019
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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