Instructor: Dr. L. Kleiman Course Title: Biomedical Ethics
Department: Philosophy Cat. No.: Pl 24
Division: Humanities

This course will provide the student with the tools:
(a) to examine and understand the major competing ethical theories, Egoism, Utilitarianism, and the various forms of `traditional moralism';
(b) to apply ethical theory to contemporary moral issues arising primarily out of recent developments in the life sciences;
(c) to clarify and deepen moral beliefs about Abortion, Cloning, Assisted Suicide, Mental Illness and other related issues.

Procedures for Accomplishing These Objectives:
Lectures, Class Discussion, Student Reports

Student Requirements for Completion of Course:
A. Your final grade will be determined by a set of four out of five in-class short answer examinations. Exams are worth 50% of the final grade, are cumulative and are to be kept on file by the instructor. No make-ups.
B. You are required to submit an analysis of three reading assignments, which are worth 50% of the final grade. (Please keep copies.) Each piece should be about two  typed pages in length. If the analysis is submitted on or before the exam on the same topic, you may revise the analysis for a better grade. See attached description for more details. Papers submitted the last meeting of the semester, of course, cannot be revised.
C. You may submit a term paper (2500 words, approx.) for extra credit. Papers should be typed and should include appropriate bibliography and footnotes. The grade of the paper may be substituted for one quiz grade.
D. Class participation will be considered especially in the case of borderline grades. Unless otherwise informed, I will assume that any student with three absences has dropped the class. Lateness or leaving the class before the end of the hour counts as partial absence. Let me know in advance if you must leave early or you may receive a full absence.

Required Text:
Classic Works in Medical Ethics, Gregory Pence (McGraw Hill, 1998).
Weekly Assignments
1-2 Introduction Handout.
3-4 Ethical Theory 1-18.
5-6 Active and Passive Euthanasia 21-34.
7-8 Suicide and Assisted Suicide 67-80.
9-10 Abortion 153-168; 183-200.
11-12 Organ Transplantation 262-269.
13-14 Cloning TBA

1. What is the issue in the selection you are analyzing? Explain all sides. (Keep in mind that you will be drawing some conclusion at the end. See item #6 below.)

2. Key quotations from the text should be used.

3. A good example (either your own or one drawn from the text) must be used to illustrate each generalization in the commentary.

4. The ideas must follow a logical order. (A brief outline helps to insure this.)

5. Are there objections to your views? How do you respond? (If there are no objections, then you are missing the basic controversy. Try again.)

6. What is your conclusion? State your opinion drawing upon the previous discussion explicitly giving reasons for your judgment. Convince me that you are right.

7. The paper should be properly edited for grammar and spelling, etc. (If you are unsure of your written English, see me or visit the Writing Center in the Islip Arts Building.)

8. The paper should be typed, with a finished and professional appearance.

9. One final hint: your paper must not be mechanical but must show thought. Remember the main ideas that we discuss in class and that you read. Memorize important details; go over in your mind the main issues until you feel comfortable to explain them to others. When putting your ideas on paper, try to imagine yourself describing those same ideas to a sympathetic but critical listener.