Reproductive ethics, 7.5 Credits

Contents

The course will cover both basic concepts in reproductive ethics (such as the right to reproduce and the right to parent: their content, foundation and scope) and contemporary debates that arise from changes in society or technological progress. Examples of topics include the ethics of actual and prospective reproductive technologies (such as in vitro fertilisation, the derivation of synthetic gametes, ectogenesis, human cloning) and of their various applications; the issue of access to the technologies; and how ethics, policy, and reproductive technologies impact upon each other.
The following themes are discussed:

The right to reproduce
Reproduction and parenting: who are children’s parents?
Can it be wrong to reproduce? Is there a responsibility to make certain reproductive decisions rather than others?
Choosing children
Prospective reproductive technologies: human reproductive cloning

Expected learning outcomes

After having completed the course the students will have:

Knowledge and understanding:
- Displayed knowledge and understanding of central concepts, theories, problems and arguments in reproductive ethics.
- Displayed considerable knowledge and understanding of ethical issues concerning human reproduction.

Skill and ability:
- Further developed their ability to analyse arguments in ethics.
- Displayed an ability to write philosophical texts.
- Displayed an ability to express the knowledge and understanding acquired during the course.

Assessment and attitude:
- Displayed insight into the underpinnings of applied ethics and its role in society.

Required Knowledge

90 ECTS courses in philosophy, or a Bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS), or the equivalent. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English A (IELTS (Academic) with a minimum overall score of 5.5 and no individual score below 5.0. TOEFL PBT (Paper-based Test) with a minimum total score of 530 and a minimum TWE score of 4. TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) with a minimum total score of 72 and a minimum score of 17 on the Writing Section). Where the language of instruction is Swedish, applicants must prove proficiency in Swedish to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies.

Form of instruction

Instruction consists of internet based seminars and tutoring.

Examination modes

The examination consists of writing assignments (of up to 3000 words) and active participation in seminars (which will include short essays as well as participation in the seminars). On the course as a whole, the grades given are Fail (U), Pass (G), or Pass with Distinction (VG). In order to pass the course as a whole, all mandatory parts must be passed as well. The final grade of the course is a summary assessment of the results and decided only after all mandatory parts are passed.
A student who has passed an examination may not be re-examined.
For students who do not pass the regular examination there is another opportunity to do the examination. A student who has failed two examinations for a course or segment of a course, has the right to have another examiner appointed, unless there are special reasons (Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 6, section 22). Requests for new examiners are made to the Faculty of Humanities.

ACADEMIC CREDIT TRANSFER
Transfer of credits is considered individually (see the University Code of Rules and regulations for transfer of credits).