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The Strife of Values in Bio-ethical
Decision-Making
Ethical decision-making quite often incorporates appeals to principles
that follow from other value-laden considerations. This is particularly
true when what we acknowledge to be ethical concerns are challenged by
interests of coexistent economic, scientific, religious, and political
realities. Nowhere do we find this difficulty more evident than in the
area of bio-ethics and public health. Students will learn to recognize
this problem as a problem, and will cultivate strategies to mediate its
negative effects on efforts to improve the quality of human life.
Objectives and Expectations
Purpose Statement
Generally, the purpose of this module is to prompt students
to note practical differences that arise between bio-ethical decision-making
and decisions that follow from other ways of determining value. Specifically,
students will consider the scope of bio-ethical questions in the fight
against infectious disease and other public health concerns, and the relations
of these to other questions of value that have direct impact on the lives
of individuals and community well-being. Included in this inquiry
is an identification of matters that involve funding constraints and other
economic concerns, problems in research, conflicting religious doctrines,
and opposing political agendas. Correlatively, students will learn
how to mediate such interests with professional and personal morality.
Learning and Teaching Methodology
The focus of this module allows multiple variations
and enhancements in teaching its philosophical and applied content. Faculty
may use it for either a unit exercise, or full-course outline that is
easily tailored to both faculty and student interests. This module assumes
no prior exposure to the formal study of ethics. At the same time,
the issue with which it deals is of sufficient practical importance and
public concern to place it well within the range of intermediate and advanced
study.
Structure
The learning portion of this module is divided into three
primary sections. Faculty may elect to include all three sections when adapting
this to his or her particular course requirements and teaching styles, or
select as few as one.
- Ethics and Values
- Bio-ethical Problems Identification – Case Studies
- Methods and Strategies for Ethical Decision-Making
Tools and Resources
Whether offered in a traditional classroom,
hybrid classroom, or by distance education, this module requires an online
time commitment by both faculty and students. Computer access is a necessity,
either on campus or at home. Resources for this module include:
- Listing of suggested primary texts on ethics
and values
- Current journal and news articles
- Suggested community resources
- Listing of secondary literature on the topic
- Film and documentaries where available
Approaches to Teaching
Each module section deals with its
particular focus from several suggested angles. These include:
- Research (online, print, and where practical,
field interviews and focus groups with affected community members)
- Faculty and student presentations of research
and identified problems
- Student project (a written extension of a student’s
presentation)
- Guest presenters (from Academia and community)
- Discussion forums (both in-class and online)
- Student testing (quizzes, objective and essay
examinations)
Student Learning
This module is suitable for students
at any stage of learning and incorporates the following elements of critical
thinking and student learning styles.
- Emphasis on problem identification and solving
- Short course on ethics and values
- Research skills
- Emphasis on matters of public concern
- Diverse learning styles accommodated
- Emphasis on the practical connection and importance
of philosophical thinking to thinking in general.
Budget
This module
requires no special budgetary needs, except in instances where research
interests suggest the purchase of certain online materials, including journal
access, honorariums for guest speakers, and/or transportation for community-based
field research.
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