Module:

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

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Module Title
Module Code	(ITS: TP146)
Faculty		School
NFQ level		Credit Rating

Description

This module provides an introduction to the philosophical and theological foundations of bioethics. It explores and examines a number of ethical issues raised by the interaction between medicine, science and technology in health care. The module equips participants with a broad knowledge and competency to appraise some of these contemporary bioethical issues.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate a broad knowledge and understanding of a number of contemporary issues in bioethics.
2. Offer a coherent and rational exposition and evaluation of current bioethical issues that is informed by philosophical and theological principles together with sensitivity to other traditions, intercultural dialogue and interreligious encounter.
3. Argue and discuss points of view regarding issues in bioethics supported by relevant philosophical, theological and ethical sources and demonstrate the ability to justify the stance adopted in moral argumentation.
4. Demonstrate through a written assignment the appropriate professional skills necessary to organise and communicate an understanding and application of philosophical and theological ethics to contemporary issues affecting a pluralist, multi-cultural Irish society.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Independent Study	143.5	No Description
Assignment Completion	20	No Description
Total Workload: 187.5

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Essay	n/a	100%	Week 1

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

From Medical Ethics to Bioethics

Principles of Bioethics

Reproductive Technologies

Stem-Cell Research

Abortion & Personhood

Euthanasia & Physician-Assisted Suicide

Withholding/Withdrawing Treatment

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Ashley, Benedict, M. and O’Rourke, Kevin D.: 2006, Health Care Ethics: A Theological Analysis, Georgetown University Press, Washington,
Beauchamp, Tom L. and Childress, James F.: 2013, Principles of Biomedical Ethics, 7, Oxford University Press,
Ashcroft, R. E., Dawson, A., Draper, H., McMillan, J. (eds): 2007, Principles of Health Care Ethics, John Wiley & Sons, Chichester,
Barry, Vincent E.: 0, Bioethics in a Cultural Context: Philosophy, Religion, History, Politics, 2012, Wadsworth, Boston,
Bryant, J. A.: 2005, Introduction to Bioethics, Wiley, Chichester,
Caplan, Arthur L. and Arp, Robert (eds): 2014, Contemporary Debates in Bioethics, John Wiley & Sons, Chichester,
Corkery, Pádraig: 2010, Bioethics and the Catholic Moral Tradition, Veritas, Dublin,
Ferber, Sarah: 2013, Bioethics in Historical Perspective, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke,
Fisher, Anthony: 2011, Catholic Bioethics for a New Millennium, Cambridge University Press, New York,
Kelly, David F.,Gerard Magill, Gerard, and Have, H. Ten: 2013, Contemporary Catholic Health Care Ethics, 2nd, Georgetown University Press, Washington, DC,
Kuhse, Helga and Singer, Peter (eds): 2016, Bioethics: An Anthology, 3rd edn, Wiley Blackwell, Chichester,
Lysaught, M. Therese and McCarthy, Michael: 2018, Catholic Bioethics and Social Justice, Liturgical Press Academic Collegeville, Minnesota,
May, William E.: 2007, Catholic Bioethics and the Gift of Human Life, Our Sunday Visitor, Huntington,
McDonagh, Enda; MacNamara, Vincent: 2013, An Irish Reader in Moral Theology: The Legacy of the Last Fifty Years: Volume 3: Medical and Bio-Ethics, The Columba Press, Dublin,
Meilaender, G.: 2005, Bioethics: A Primer for Christians, W.B. Eerdmans, Cambridge,
Moskop, John C.: 2016, Ethics and Health Care: An Introduction, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge,
Scott, P. Anne (ed.): 2017, Key Concepts and Issues in Nursing Ethics, Springer,
Steinbock, Bonnie (ed.): 2009, The Oxford Handbook of Bioethics, Oxford University Press, Oxford,
Talbot, Marianne: 2012, Bioethics: An Introduction, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

E-Journal: Bioethics,
E-Journal: Christian Bioethics,
E-Journal: American Journal of Bioethics,
E-Journal: Journal of Medicine & Philosophy,
E-Journal: Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics,
E-Journal: Theoretical Medicine and Bioethics,
E-Journal: Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal,