Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description

Bioethics

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
HZK_051
Branch of Science
Ethics; Philosophy, Ethics and Religion
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Medicine
LQF
Level 7
Study Type And Form
Full-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor
Structure Unit Manager
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts

Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szf@rsu.lv

About Study Course

Objective

Acquaint students with topical problems of contemporary bioethics. Promote the ability of students to discuss current issues in biomedicine and ethical issues in healthcare system. Promote student ability to analyse ethical issues related to biomedicine. Promote understanding of moral values accepted in clinical practice and research.

Preliminary Knowledge

The student does not need prior knowledge to complete the study course “Bioethics” successfully. Prior knowledge of philosophy and ethics within the programme of secondary education is desirable.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.Students should have a good grasp of the major issues of modern bioethics; they should be familiar with the theories of ethics used in bioethics, basic problems of bioethics and most widespread approached to bioethics, solutions to bioethical issues in various fields, such as ethical issues at the beginning and end of the human life, transplantation ethics, fair distribution of resources in health care, ethics in research and use of non-human animals in clinical trials and education.

Skills

1.Students should be able to define basic concepts of bioethical theories. They should recognise and identify various bioethical concerns and the role of various theoretical considerations in them.

Competences

1.Students should be able to analyse, evaluate and criticise different positions in modern biomedicine; they should be able to formulate and defend their own opinion.

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Individual work

-
-
1. Students have to read the compulsory literature and the reading materials for the seminars. Before every seminar students have to read a dedicated reading material and must be prepared to answer questions about the main concepts, ideas and arguments of that reading material. 2. In groups students have prepare one case for ethical analysis for one of the seminars, as well as moderate and evaluate discussions about the case during the seminar. 3. Students independently prepare for the examination about the topics from lectures and seminars. 4. At the end of the course students take the course evaluation survey on the e-studies.

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Examination

-
-
1. Participation in seminars individually or in a group (10% from the final grade). Students actively participate in all seminar, understand and can formulate the ideas expressed in the seminar reading material, productively engage in discussions about the issues of the semianr topic, argue their position, use appropriate terminology in discussions, as well as refer to the seminar reading material in discussions. 2. Preparation of a case for ethical analysis, moderation and evaluation of discussions about the case during a seminar (40% from the final grade). 3. Examination (50% from the final grade). Students take a written examination, in which they have to show the acquired knowledge about the topics covered in the course.

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Part 1
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Bioethics and etichal theories
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Bioethics and etichal theories
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Ethical problems at the beginning of life: moral status of the embryo
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Ethical problems at the beginning of life: moral status of the embryo
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Ethics of assisted dying
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Ethics of assisted dying
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Ethics of organ transplantation and definitions of death
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Ethics of organ transplantation and definitions of death
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Justice: just distribution of health care resources
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Justice: just distribution of health care resources
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Research ethics
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Research ethics
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Respect for autonomy
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Genetic testing and gene therapy
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Human enhancement
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Use of non-human animals in research and education
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
32 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

Klīve, V.V. Rīcības ceļos. Rīga: Zinātne, 1998. (akceptējams izdevums)

2.

Sīle, V. (sast.) Biomedicīnas ētika. Teorija un prakse. Rīga: RSU, 2006. (akceptējams izdevums)

3.

Neiders, I. Gēnu redaktori. Rīgas Laiks, 2018, Septembris, 10.-19. lpp.

4.

Kuhse, H & Singer, P. (eds.) A Companion to Bioethics. Blackwell Publishing, 2001. (akceptējams izdevums)

5.

Neiders, I. “Cilvēka uzlabošana.” Sīlis, V. Neiders, I. (red.) Filosofiskā antropoloģija II, Rīga, RSU, 2018.

6.

Singers, P. “Dzīvnieku atbrīvošana” (Kentaurs XXI, 2001, 25, 94.-107. lpp.) (akceptējams izdevums)

7.

Ārvalstu studentiem/For international students:

8.

Kuhse, H & Singer, P. (eds.) A Companion to Bioethics. Blackwell Publishing, 2001. (akceptējams izdevums)

Additional Reading

1.

Kuhse, H. (ed.) Bioethics. An Anthology. Blackwell Publishing. 2006.

2.

Steinbock, B. (ed.) The Oxford Handbook of Bioethics. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009.

3.

Campbell, A. Bioethics: The Basics, Routledge, 2017.