Course Catalog

PHI410E Bioethics (3 credits) 9647

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will consider, from a Christian perspective, some of the philosophical issues and questions related to many of the current health-care and end-of-life concerns in modern society. The course will consider the importance of a worldview perspective in addressing the issue of personhood and in ethical decision making.

LEARNING RESULTS
The learner will be able to:
• Understand the differing ethical perspectives that influence the bioethical decisions of individuals and of the culture at large.
• Understand the place of worldview thinking in ethical and especially bioethical decision-making.
• Understand the two key components of every worldview that affects bioethical decisions.
• Understand the main/substantive issues involved in bioethics.
• Articulate some of the differing approaches to bioethics, both religious and secular.
• Address the issue of medical technology from a theological perspective.
• Articulate a Christian perspective with relation to the issue of personhood.
• Understand and critique the secular concept of “autonomy.”
• View death and dying from a biblical perspective.
• Employ a Christian perspective with relation to the issues of bioethics.
• Articulate some of the issues related to reproductive technologies and cloning.
• Understand the history of suicide and euthanasia in the Christian tradition.
• Understand and articulate a Christian perspective with relation to the current debate over the “right-to-die.”
• Have a clearer understanding of the issues involved in the debate over physician-assisted suicide.

REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS
• Beyond Bumper Sticker Ethics: An Introduction to Theories of Right and Wrong by Steven Wilkens, InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL, 1995. ISBN 0-8308-1527-9.
• Human Dignity in the Biotech Century: a Christian vision for public policy. Colson, Charles and Nigel M de S Cameron, eds. InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL, 2004. ISBN 0-8308-2783-8
• Bioethics: a Primer for Christians by Gilbert Meilaender, Eerdmans, 2004. ISBN 0-8028-2909-0.
• Forced Exit: Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide and the New Duty to Die by Wesley Smith, 2006, Encounter Book. ISBN#1594031193.

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INTGRATION OF FAITH AND LEARNING
The integration of faith and learning for this learning agreement occurs in several ways. First, in learning to better understand the issues related to bioethics we are learning to strengthen our faith-commitment. Second, as we gain insight into the Christian perspective of these issues our faith will mature. Third, as we learn ways to support our Christian position on these important issues, we will grow in our understanding of God’s Word.

LEARNING DOCUMENTATION
To determine if the course learning results have been attained, students document their learning by submitting the following items:
• Paper on Christian worldview perspective
• Paper on understanding the issue of personhood
• Paper on understanding the issue of Genetic Research/Cloning
• Paper on understanding medical research and medical ethics
• Research paper addressing the arguments for and against physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia

There are 5 papers and 0 examinations for this course.

LEARNING EVALUATION
Evaluation is on a point system:
Assignment #2 100 points
Assignment #3 100 points
Assignment #4 100 points
Assignment #5 100 points
Assignment #6 300 points
Total Points 700