PHA0106 Selected Topics in Applied Ethics

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2017
Extent and Intensity
0/0/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
dr. Tomislav Bracanović (lecturer), doc. Mgr. Radim Bělohrad, Ph.D. (deputy)
Ing. Mgr. Zdeňka Jastrzembská, Ph.D. (assistant)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Josef Krob, CSc.
Department of Philosophy – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Ing. Mgr. Zdeňka Jastrzembská, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Philosophy – Faculty of Arts
Prerequisites
Fluent English
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 11 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The objective of the course is to introduce students into four mutually interrelated topics of contemporary applied ethics: (1) the general tension between contemporary biomedicine and the bioethical imperative of respect for cultural diversity, (2) the specific bioethical dilemma of viewing deafness either as illness or as the basis of a unique cultural identity, (3) theoretical and practical difficulties of drawing the boundary between therapies and human enhancements, and (4) the ambiguous status of sex reassignment surgery at the intersection medical treatment, human enhancement and quest for personal identity.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students will be able to: (1) recognize the relevance of contemporary applied ethics for various aspects of human life, such as medicine, health care, economics, education and culture; (2) explain how the development of biomedicine brings about novel and unique ethical questions, (3) evaluate possible roles of culturally diverse traditions in contemporary medical and health care practice, (4) evaluate strengths and weaknesses of the case against medicalization of deafness, (5) reconstruct the basic theoretical positions in the therapies vs. enhancements debate, (5) differentiate main arguments for and against human enhancement, (6) interpret sex reassignment surgery as either therapeutic intervention or a unique type of human enhancement.
Syllabus (in Czech)
  • February 12 (Monday) (1) Bioethics, medicine and culture;
  • February 13 (Tuesday) (2) Deafness, illness and culture;
  • February 14 (Wednesday) (3) From therapies to enhancements (4) Therapy, enhancement and human welfare;
  • February 15 (Thursday) (5) Sex reassignment surgery between therapy and enhancement;
  • February 16 (Friday) (6) Course summary and general discussion (7) Test
Teaching methods
The course will consist of six 90 minute lectures and the final test. Required readings will be sent to students before the beginning of the course. Power-point presentations will be sent to students after each lecture.
Assessment methods
Students are expected to read the literature in advance and be active in discussions. The final grade will be determined on the basis of (a) final test [approximately 7-8 quiz questions and 4-5 essay questions requiring short descriptive answers] and (b) regular attendance and active participation in discussions.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught only once.
The course is taught: in blocks.
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