Philosophy 303

Medical Ethics

Fall 2007

The Catholic University of America

School of Philosophy

Dr. Angela McKay

Course time and location

TTh 3:10-4:25 pm, McMahon 13

Course description

An introduction to medical ethics which examines several fundamental ethical principles within the context of medicine and health care. Topics investigated may include: abortion, euthanasia, reproductive technologies, doctor-patient relationships, disabled infants, informed consent, and the allocation of resources.

Credits: 3

Course aims

This course aims to introduce students to the main issues in contemporary bioethics and to develop the students’ ability to read, write, and think about these issues in a critical manner.

Instructional methods

Lecture, discussion, papers and exams.

Required book

Ronald Munson Intervention and Reflection (Wadsworth, 8^th Edition)

This text is available at the university bookstore. Buy it soon—the bookstore sends the extras back to the publishers around the end of January. Additional readings can be found on electronic reserve or on my website, as indicated in the schedule of readings. My website is located at: http://faculty.cua.edu/mckay.

Electronic reserve

Some additional readings are posted on electronic reserve. To access these readings, go to http://aladin.wrlc.org and click on “electronic reserve”. Then enter the username and password listed below. (Note: the username and password are case sensitive!)

Username: PHIL303MCKA

Password: ETHICS

Course requirements

Two tests: 20% each

Written Assignment: 20%

Cumulative final exam: 30%

Participation: 10%

Important dates

Sept. 27 exam I

Oct. 18 written assignment due

Nov. 15 exam II

Dec. 11 final exam (4pm)

Grading scale

A 94-100%

A- 90-93%

B+ 87-89%

B 83-86%

B- 80-82%

C+ 77-79%

C 73-76%

C- 70-72%

D 60-69%

F less than 60%

The University grading system is available at

http://policies.cua.edu/academicundergrad//gradesfull.cfm#II for undergraduates and http://policies.cua.edu/academicgrad//gradesfull.cfm#iii for graduate students.

Reports of grades in courses are available at the end of each term on http://cardinalstation.cua.edu.

Attendance

The attendance policy for the School of Philosophy is as follows:

Attendance is required and will be checked on a daily basis. Attendance counts toward the assessment of the final grade in the following way:

For classes meeting three days per week, four absences will be tolerated without academic penalty. Each absence after the fourth will result in a reduction of two points of the total 100 points for the course up until the tenth absence with results in failure for the course. For such a course, a maximum of nine absences will be allowed without failure for the course due to absences.

For classes meeting two days per week, three absences will be tolerated without academic penalty. Each absence after the third will result in a reduction of three points of the total 100 points for the course up until the seventh absence which results in failure for the course. For such a course, a maximum of six absences will be allowed without failure for the course due to absences.

If you arrive late (i.e. after I have taken attendance) it is your responsibility to make sure that I mark you present. Three “tardies” are equivalent to one absence.

Missed assignments

You are required to take exams at the scheduled time. If you miss an exam, you may make it up, but you will be penalized one letter grade.

Academic honesty

University policies on plagiarism and all other forms of academic dishonesty are strictly enforced in this course. The normal penalty for plagiarism or cheating of any kind is that you fail the entire course.

For more information on plagiarism, please see the university policy on academic dishonesty. The policy can be located at http://policies.cua.edu. If you are unsure whether something is plagiarism or not, please check it with me before the due date.

Campus resources for student support

Counseling Center: x5765

Writing Center: x4286

ATLAS Tutoring Center: x5765

Disability Support Services: x5211

Accommodations for students with disabilities

Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss specific needs. Please contact Disability Support Services (at 202 319-5211, room 207 Pryzbyla Center) to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. To read about the services and policies, please visit the website: http://disabilitysupport.cua.edu.  

Getting in touch with Dr. McKay

Telephone: 202-319-6692

Email: mckay@cua.edu

Website: faculty.cua.edu/mckay

Office: Aquinas Hall #208 (Formerly known as the Life Cycle Institute)

Office Hours: Friday 12-2p.m., or by appointment