Christian Bioethics --
Course Syllabus
REL 142 - Term 024

Rev. T. McFarland, C.PP.S., Ph.D. Office: CEC 219 (219)866-6115

Go to Course calendar | Bioethics Links | Bioethics Updates

Objectives:
This course provides the student with an overview of the major theological/philosophical principles employed by bioethicists and application of these principles to important cases. We will discuss cases and current issues in bioethics in light of the Christian (Catholic) tradition. Central to our reflection will be how current practices affecting human life and health are consistent with humans being created in the image of God.

This course is just the beginning, and it is my intention to acquaint you with the major principles, issues and resources in bioethics. We will also be examining attitudes, which shape the context for bioethical decisions in light of the Christian tradition.

Texts:

First Do No Harm --Lisa Belkin (New York: Fawcett Crest, 1994)

Heath Care Ethics: A Theological Analysis --Benedict Ashley and Kevin O`Rourke (Washington: Georgetown University Press, 1997)

You can click here to see a little history of Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas or here to see the current web site for Hermann Hospital. This is the Hospital that we are reading about in Lisa Belkin's book First Do No Harm.

Resources:
Since we are doing this course as a type of "distance learning" I am presuming that you have access to the Internet. I have many good resources on the links page. Be sure to check these out, they will be immensely helpful.

Requirements:

There will be an assignment on research databases, an article summary, and a short research paper (@7 page) on a bioethical issue, that must incorporate a Christian ethical perspective.

There will also be two exams. There will be objective type questions, as well as short answer and essays.

Your participation in class discussion will also account for part of the course grade.

The database assignment can be found here or you can download a Word.doc to use as a template to complete the assignment.

Grades:
Grades will be determined by points. The point value of each assignment is indicated below. Final grades will be determined by the proportion of total points a student attains during the course as indicated below.

   Database exercise    25 points
   Article summary        25 points
   EXAMS               2 @50 points
   Final Paper              100 points
   Participation            100 points
                                350 total points

GRADING SCALE
    326-350 = A               270-279 = C+
    315-325 = A-              256-269 = C
    305-314 = B+            245-255 = C-
    291-304 = B              228-244 = D+
    280-290 = B-             210-227 = D
                           209 = F

Class Calendar

July
7 - Introduction - Being Human, Sickness and Health	10 - Stories from the Front Lines Belkin, pp.3-159 Database Assignment due
14 -More stories Belkin, pp. 160-349	17 - Health Care Professionals Healthcare Ethics, 67-136 Article Summary
21 - Bioethical Principles Healthcare Ethics, 137-176 EXAM	24 - Principles (cont'd) Healthcare Ethics, 177-223
28 - Beginning of Life issues Healthcare Ethics, 225-270	31 - Beginning of Life Issues (cont'd) Healthcare Ethics, 271-314
August
4 - End of Life Issues Healthcare Ethics, 394-432 Paper Due	7 - Social Justice Issues in Healthcare Health Care Ethics, 107-135 EXAM

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Page updated 05/18/2010 by
T. McFarland, C.PP.S, Professor of Religion
Saint Joseph's College.
Questions of comments about this page -- email timm@saintjoe.edu

Christian Bioethics -- Course Syllabus REL 142 - Term 024

Christian Bioethics --
Course Syllabus
REL 142 - Term 024