Module PHL3077 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
PHL3077: Bioethics: DNA-technologies, Ethics and Human Identity
This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.
Module Aims
This module aims to:
- familiarise you with the history of, and different positions, theories and problems in current bioethics;
- familiarise you with ethical issues of genetics, stem cell research and issues of social and cultural identity, through engagement with applied case studies;
- advance your ability to analyse texts, criticize, empirical and philosophical arguments and reflect on your own preferences in making arguments and your ideas of right and wrong.
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. demonstrate in-depth knowledge of a range of key topics in bioethics; 2. understand and apply different empirical and theoretical perspectives in bioethics; 3. critically appraise forms of argument on ethical issues from different philosophical and sociological perspectives. |
| Discipline-Specific Skills | 4. analyse arguments in moral philosophy and social ethics; 5. critically engage with both abstract and practical ethical issues. |
| Personal and Key Skills | 6. write scholarly, well-argued reflective essays; 7. construct normative arguments; 8. express your own thoughts and ideas at different levels of abstraction in discussion and writing. |
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following themes:
- Self and Identity
- Human Nature
- Genetic engineering
- Designer Babies
- Race
- Transnational adoption
- Genetics in Society
- Biology and Ideology
Learning and Teaching
This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 | 0 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 22 | Weekly 40 min lecture and weekly 80-minute seminar. |
| Guided Independent study | 48 | Weekly reading |
| Guided Independent study | 25 | Preparation of presentation and recording |
| Guided Independent study | 55 | Research for essay |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
How this Module is Assessed
In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.
Formative Assessment
A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contribution to seminar discussions | Continuous | 1, 4, 5, 7 | Oral |
| Essay Outline | 500 words | 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 | Oral and written |
Summative Assessment
A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 70 | 0 | 30 |
...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 70 | 2,500 words | 1-8 | Oral and written |
| Presentation and slides | 30 | 10 minutes | 1-8 | Oral and written |
Re-assessment
Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Essay (2,500 words) | 1-8 | August/September reassessment period |
| Presentation with slides | Mini-Essay on 1 seminar reading, 1,000 words | 1-8 | August/September reassessment period |
