Whether we realise it or not, bioethics is relevant to all our lives. Even if we never work in healthcare, it touches us when we are most vulnerable - when we or those we care for are unwell.
Almost every day, it seems some new ethical dilemma appears in the news; whether to do with assisted suicide, stem cell therapies, assisted reproductive technologies, resource allocation or genome editing. These new developments in medicine and health are stretching traditional ethical understanding to the limit. Having a greater understanding of the issues involved can enable more in-depth public engagement.
Reflection on the ethical principles that underlie medical and allied practice is an important part of continuing career development for healthcare professionals. If you are working in any of these areas, or aspire to in the future, this module will equip you to play your part.
This 20-credit, master's-level (Level 7) course will benefit anyone wishing to gain a practical understanding of how established techniques of ethical reasoning are applied to the bringing about of new human life and healthcare decisions at the beginning of life.
Many of our students study for the MA as a form of professional development and advancing their career prospects. The degree sharpens your ability to critically engage and contribute to the world around you: the study of a contemporary and universally relevant subject such as medical ethics and law is excellent preparation for any profession that requires graduates with high levels of human understanding, critical skills and knowledge of current affairs.
This course is a module on the MA Bioethics and Medical Law. Any credit gained on this course can be counted towards the master's degree.
Dates and times
Monday evenings (6-8.30pm), with one Saturday study day (9am-5pm)
|
Week
|
Focus
|
| 01 – 19 Sept |
Embryology and the beginning of life |
| 02 – 26 Sept |
Stem cell research and cloning |
| 03 – 3 Oct |
Brave New World – artificial reproductive technologies |
| 04 – 10 Oct |
Genome editing |
| 05 – 17 Oct |
Abortion |
| 06 – 24 Oct |
Perinatal ethics |
| 07 – 29 Oct |
Saturday study day: hybrids and chimeras; The ‘new’ eugenics |
| 08 – 7 Nov |
Infanticide |
NOTE: Please note that this is an indicative only schedule and the sessions might be subject to change.
Prices
This course can be taken without assessment for £834. The full cost of this course with assessment is £1,084.
St Mary's University alumni and members, staff and volunteers of Chiswick House will receive a 20% discount.
Content
This module analyses the key principles, concepts and theory concerning the understanding of the beginning of human life. The module will explore more thematic issues that will bring context to the theory and offer further scope for critique and reflection of the central social and ethical questions. The module will examine some of the key advances in assisted reproductive technologies and biotechnology, whilst also looking to the future and considering the implications and issues that are likely to shape the agenda in the coming years.
Lead Tutor
Matt James – Associate Professor Bioethics and Medical Law.
Matt is Associate Professor in Bioethics and Medical Law at St Mary’s University, Twickenham. As part of this role, he is Course Lead for MA Bioethics and Medical Law programme and PGR Lead within the Faculty of Education, Theology and the Arts. He is also Director of the Centre for Bioethics and Emerging Technologies (CBET), one of St Mary’s 12 research centres and Managing Editor of the peer review journal, The New Bioethics.
Other tutors include:
- Dr. Pia Matthews, Senior Lecturer in Healthcare Ethics
- Other invited guest speakers.
Requirements
Students are normally required to achieve a 2:2 degree from a UK university, or equivalent, in a relevant subject.
- Alternatively, a professional qualification in teaching, medicine or law is also accepted.
- Medical students can also take the full-time MA programme as an intercalated option during their studies usually in their third of fourth year of training.
- If you don't meet these requirements you may be admitted if you show evidence of sufficient experience and aptitude for academic study at Master's Level. You'll need to provide a portfolio of suitable work and experience.
Assessment
This course will be assessed through a group wiki assessment:
- One 3,000 word contribution to a collaborative wiki portfolio which will help students to reflect on the ethical, legal and social implications of a particular contemporary bioethics dilemma in the writing of the wiki, whilst negotiating and appreciating differences in opinion.
- One 2,000 word discussion contribution to the writing of the group wiki. Using the wiki discussion tab, each student will discuss and comment on each other’s work helping to improve and enhance it.
Award
Upon successful assessment, learners will be awarded 20 Master's-level (Level 7) academic credits. Credits may be transferred onto existing masters degrees at St Mary’s University.
Book your place now
For more information about this course please contact the Short Courses team: