Bioethics and Public Policy Seminar

This course examines legal and ethical issues related to medicine and healthcare. Topics will vary each year but may include: informed consent, physician-assisted suicide, euthanasia, reproductive rights, organ donation, animal rights, and bioethical issues related to new technologies including artificial intelligence and neuroscience. Students will consider the content and consistency of current law and the moral and public policy interests that serve as the law's foundation. Grading: Letter grade; no pass/fail option Evaluation Method: Students should expect to: (1) submit a seminar paper proposal; (2) write a short reaction to a class reading assignment; (3) engage in a brief editing exercise; (4) present the student's seminar paper topic to the class; and (5) submit a seminar paper that is eligible for both substantial and additional Upperclass Writing Requirement Credit. Precise requirements and grade weighting may vary but will be described in a course syllabus prior to the first day of class. Students are given wide latitude to select seminar paper topics that interest them.