Course Catalogue

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This course will examine a range of contemporary issues in bioethics and explore the variety of Christian approaches to bioethical questions. Students will learn to apply methods of ethical analysis to the bioethical issues and to comment critically on Christian writings in bioethics.

1x2hr seminar per week over 10 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus.

This is one of the Honours options in TRS and may not run every year. The options that are running this session are available on MyCampus.

Available to all students fulfilling requirements for Honours entry into Theology and Religious Studies, and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other Honours programmes who qualify under the University's 25% regulation.

TRS4016 / TRS4017 Christianity And Bioethics

None

Presentation of 15 minutes accompanied by a poster or powerpoint slides - 20%

Two x 2,500 word Essays - 40% each

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

This course will provide the opportunity to:

■ apply ethical principles and methodology to a range of contemporary bioethical issues;

■ discuss Christian teachings on and theological approaches to the bioethical issues considered;

■ develop appropriate critical awareness of and sensitivity towards the variety of approaches to bioethical questions;

■ develop informed opinion on the bioethical issues considered.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ discuss important content areas in the study of bioethics;

■ apply key ethical principles and concepts to the bioethical issues considered;

■ identify and evaluate Christian teachings and theological approaches that relate to the bioethical issues under consideration;

■ research independently and write critically on the bioethical issues considered;

■ present complex arguments in written and oral form.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.