Bioethics and Biotechnology
24 hours face to face + blended
One Semester or equivalent
Hawthorn
Overview
This unit introduces students to a selection of the most pressing ethical questions and concerns raised by current and recent developments in the so-called ‘biotech revolution’, especially in the sphere of body-modifying technologies. It will prepare students to play an active part in forging new ethical frameworks and social policies for the future.
Requisites
Teaching Periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
29-July-2024
27-October-2024
27-October-2024
Last self-enrolment date
11-August-2024
Census date
31-August-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
13-September-2024
Results released date
03-December-2024
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Analyse competing sources of evidence about the influence of health technologies and technologies that influence health and well-being across the human life course.
- Assess the main social implications of the ‘biotechnology revolution’.
- Distinguish a social science approach to technologies from technological determinism.
- Communicate social science ideas/theories, principles and knowledge in oral and written form.
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
---|---|---|---|
On-campus Class | 2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
Online Lecture | 1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
Unspecified Activities Various | 9.50 | 12 weeks | 114 |
TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
---|---|---|---|
Online Quiz | Individual | 25% | 2,3,4 |
Oral Assessment | Individual | 30% | 2,3,4 |
Written Assignment | Individual | 45% | 1,2,4 |
Content
- The ‘biotechnology revolution’ creates choices where once there were none.
- Social and ethical implications of new technologies such as genetic engineering, infertility technologies, stem cell research, therapeutic cloning or genetically modified foods.Â
- An introducion to a selection of the most pressing ethical questions and concerns raised by current and recent developments in the so-called ‘biotech revolution’, especially in the sphere of body-modifying technologies.Â
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.