The curriculum will offer an introduction to major schools of ethical reasoning within the western tradition (including deontology, consequentialism, and principle based moral reasoning) and significant concepts in bioethics (including autonomy, welfare, and justice). The concepts will be explored through application to a number of legal case studies including the regulation of death and dying and organ transplantation.
Contact Hours: 18
Private Study Hours: 182
Total Study Hours: 200
LLM in (Specialisation); PG Diploma in (Specialisation); PG Certificate in Law
Main assessment methods
Essay (5,000 words) – 100%
Reassessment methods
100% coursework
• Jackson and Keown, Debating Euthanasia (2011)
• Laurie et al, Mason and McCall Smith's Law and Medical Ethics (2019)
• Smith (et al eds) Ethical Judgments: Rewriting Medical Law (2016)
• Wilkinson et al, Medical Ethics and Law: A curriculum for the 21st Century (3rd edition,2020)
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate systematic knowledge of the substantive law relevant to a range of key areas of healthcare law;
2. Demonstrate systematic knowledge of major western traditions in bioethics and key ethical principles relevant to the provision of
healthcare;
3. Demonstrate a critical understanding of how these different traditions and principles apply to current key issues in healthcare law;
4. Critically analyse the interrelationship of law and ethics in the field;
5. Critically engage with broader academic debates regarding healthcare law and ethics.
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module, students will be able to:
1. Critically evaluate the application and practice of law within different contexts and from different perspectives;
2. Identify relevant issues from complex factual situations;
3. Undertake independent and original research;
4. Formulate reasoned, critical arguments – demonstrating originality in the application of knowledge;
5. Analyse complex problems from a range of different theoretical perspectives and disciplinary approaches.
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