Time Schedule:
Thomas R. Mc Cormick
MHE 522
Seattle Campus
Issues arising in care and treatment of dying patients and their families, including truthful disclosure, use of life-supports, "euthanasia," coping with death and grief. Intersection of patient and professional values related to care in terminal phase of illness. Open to graduate and professional students and others with appropriate background.
Class description
This course is designed to investigate the socio-psychological aspects of dying as well as the ethical issues related to the care of patients at the end of life. Issues such as the prolongation of life, decisions to forego life-sustaining treatment, positive euthanasia, no-code orders, the terminally ill patient as person, truth-telling, and grief work will be considered. The subject of death and dying will be examined throughout the various stages of human development across the life-span. Participants will have an opportunity to work on the following objectives: 1) identify and discuss ethical issues surrounding death; 2) test your own ethical judgments against those of others; 3) develop increased awareness of your own feelings about death; 4) explore ways in which health professionals may provide appropriate care for persons with a life-threatening illness; 5) use the resources of this course to develop your competency in relating to your own death and to other persons who are facing death, loss and bereavement.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Seminar format.
Recommended preparation
Requirements for the course are as follows:
1. Reading: The required text for this course is: Ethical Issues in Death and Dying, Second Edition Tom Beauchamp and Robert Veatch. A bibiography of other books and articles dealing with appropriate content will be found on page four of this course outline and at the end of each chapter in the book. (text available in South Campus Bookstore)
2. A Journal: Keep a personal journal in which you record your own feelings about death, as they emerge. Jot down your reflections from seeing the films, from the readings, guest speakers, class discussions, daydreams, or night dreams. The journal is intended to augment your learning experience. It will not be read by the instructor. However, on the last class - June 4th, please turn in a one page summary or commentary on the value of this assignment for you.
3. Interview: Either attend an autopsy*or a funeral and write it up, including a description of your own feelings, or interview one of the following professionals who deal with death in their work: a physician, nurse, social worker, minister-priest-or rabbi, hospice worker, or an undertaker. Design your own interview technique to elicit information which will help you perceive how this person sees 1) the meaning of death, 2) ethical problems surrounding death, 3) and the most difficult problems which s/he faces as a professional in dealing with death. Type up a summary of the autopsy experience, funeral or interview, single-spaced on one page, and turn it in at the beginning of class of April 30th *If you plan to view an autopsy, this needs to be coordinated with our Pathology Department through Dr. Corrine L. Fligner, 548-6403 and those wishing to do so may preview the “autopsy” videotape on reserve in the HS Library first, and plan to attend in a group, or groups..
4. Term Paper: Write a term paper (approximately 10 pages) on a topic of interest to you in which you select one ethical problem related to death, e.g. suicide, euthanasia, abortion, withholding or telling the truth, selective treatment of newborns, etc. In the paper state why you consider your issue to be an ethical problem, i.e. define the conflict of values or the essence of the dilemma. Provide as much research into the history and pertinent material pertaining to the problem as seems appropriate, and present your arguments and suggested ethical solution, or how you believe the dilemma may be resolved and why. the purpose of this paper is two fold: 1) to provide you with an opportunity to research a topic which is of interest to you, and 2) to demonstrate your skills in ethical analysis of a real problem. The paper will be due at class time on June 4th., but may be turned in earlier if you wish.
Term Paper Guidelines:
The term paper should be an examination of the ethical issues in some particular area of `death and dying.' The topic should be narrow enough to permit a detailed discussion within the scope of 10-11 pages (typed and double-spaced). Papers should be properly referenced, using either foot-notes or end-notes. A separate bibliography should be appended, including all works consulted whether cited in the text or not. Remember that the effectiveness of the presentation of your material, (and hence the grade) is partly determined by organization, grammar and style. If you need guidance for paper research and writing, consult the MLA Style sheet, the University of Chicago Manual of Style, Kate Turabian, or some similar guide, such as APA.
The following reference works may prove useful to you, and are to be found in the H.S. Library: Walters, LeRoy, Bibliography of Bioethics, also, The Encyclopedia of Bioethics, and the Hastings Center Journal of Bioethics. I have also included a listing of books at the end of the course outline which you may find useful. The Bioethics Line and Medline are computerized bibliographies that will assist you in locating recent journal articles pertaining to subjects of interest in this class for your additional reading, or for research on your paper.
Class assignments and grading
