Module manager: Sarah Carter-Walshaw
Email: S.Carter-Walshaw@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as an Elective
Modern medicine, allied to advances in biotechnologies, is often presented as on the threshold of spectacular discoveries. These discoveries appear to open a range of new possibilities. Some seem wholly welcome, such as cures for cancers, Parkinson's disease and other serious conditions. Others are more controversial. These include the cloning of humans and other forms of novel reproduction, and enhancement interventions to improve on human nature. This module explores some of the underlying ethical issues that these new advances create.
This module aims to introduce you to several issues and associated arguments that are currently being debated in the medical ethics literature. It also aims to give you a critical understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of these arguments and accounts, and to hone your evaluative and argumentative skills so that you can assess current debates in a thoughtful and well-reasoned manner.
The objectives will be fulfilled through independent study during which you are encouraged to read set texts and further readings critically and reflect on and analyse these arguments and concepts. They will also be fulfilled through seminar activity, where you will have the opportunity to develop your own arguments on the topics and test these through discussion and critical reflection with other learners and academic staff.
On successful completion of the module, you will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Critically analyse key concepts relating to the ethics of current developments in healthcare.
2. Critically analyse, in detail, a range of debates relating to the ethics of current developments in healthcare.
3. Construct detailed, sophisticated and independent arguments in support of your own viewpoint on the ethics of current developments in healthcare.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module, you will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
4. Reflect on, empathise and engage with a diverse range of perspectives. (Academic, Sustainability and Work Ready skill)
5. Communicate ideas in a clear and scholarly manner. (Academic and Work Ready skill)
6. Apply research skills and specialist knowledge in new contexts. (Academic, Work Ready and Enterprise skill)
7. Work effectively and efficiently as a team (Academic, Enterprise, Sustainability, Work Ready skill)
The module explores current and emerging debates in bioethics literature. Indicative topics might include animal testing, bias in medicine & medical research, trans health care, human enhancement, novel forms of assisted reproduction, and disability ethics.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Project | 7 | 1.5 | 10.5 |
| Seminar | 7 | 2 | 14 |
| Private study hours | 275.5 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 24.5 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 300 | ||
In addition to the formative feedback available to students in student hours and seminar-based activities, each student is invited to complete ONE piece of formative work which will receive written feedback.
Students are given a choice of: essay plan; exposition of an argument; objection and reply.
To ensure that students get the formative feedback that they need, they are asked to read and reflect on (i) the feedback they received in previous summative assessments, (ii) the PRHS marking criteria and (iii) the specific guidance provided on the summative assessment in this module. This requires students to critically engage with previous feedback, current expectations, and play an active role in honing their knowledge and skill development.
Students also receive formative feedback and support as they develop their group presentations through seven group work workshops and also by presenting a draft presentation to tutors who then provide written feedback.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Group Work Presentation | 40 |
| Coursework | Essay | 60 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
The group resit for the group presentation will be a pre-recorded group presentation on a different topic. If an individual resit is needed for the group presentation, the resit will be a pre-recorded individual presentation on a different topic.
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 07/03/2025
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