Ethics of Ageing (POPH90260)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Online
Overview
| Availability | Term 2 - Online |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject provides an overview of some of the key ethical issues associated with ageing across the lifespan, with an emphasis on their societal dimensions and implications for policy and professional practice. The skills and knowledge gained by students completing this subject will enhance their ability to engage with the health, social and economic issues of ageing encountered throughout the Masters of Ageing curriculum.
Students will be introduced to bioethical theory and its application in analysis, evaluation and decision making. Martha Nussbaum's account of capabilities for human flourishing will be used to frame the exploration of a number of key issues organized within thematic units of "justice", "autonomy" and "dignity". A final unit will explore ethical issues pertaining to the human quest for "immortality".
Topics covered include diverse historical and cultural perspectives on common ethical issues of ageing; ethical principles for health professionals, care givers and institutions providing for the elderly; age as a criterion for health resource allocation; age-based discrimination and bias in clinical decision-making and employment; international and intergenerational obligations in the context of care giving; and life extension and suspension modalities such as fertility preservation, transplantation and cloning.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students will be able to:
- Recognise and explain basic elements of ethical theory and frameworks, as well as major ethical issues of relevance to ageing persons and populations.
- Demonstrate an informed understanding of key ethical principles and concepts including autonomy; justice, beneficence, non-maleficence and human dignity.
- Critically analyse an ethical issue in ageing through identification of relevant ethical concepts and principles, and evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of arguments in the debate.
- Formulate a reflective argument outlining a proposed solution to an ethical dilemma.
Generic skills
Students will be provided with the opportunity to practice and reinforce:
- Enhanced skills in critical thinking and analysis of issues in public policy and practice from an ethical perspective.
- Advanced oral and written communication skills.
- Advanced skills in reasoning, persuasion and effective argumentation.
- Ability to identify, evaluate and integrate ethical theory with empirical knowledge in public health and social policy and practice.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- Contribution to online participation thoroughout the teaching period (10%)
- Five minute online presentation held in the middle of the teaching period (10%)
- 1,500 word reflective essay due in the middle of the teaching period (30%)
- 2,500 word reflective essay due at the end of the teaching period (50%)
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Term 2 - Online
Principal coordinator Rosalind McDougall Mode of delivery Online Contact hours Total time commitment 170 hours Pre teaching start date 23 April 2018 Pre teaching requirements During the pre-teaching period students are given the opportunity to get used to the online platform, meet the instructors/tutors and become familiar with how to access resources before the teaching period starts. Teaching period 30 April 2018 to 24 June 2018 Last self-enrol date 24 April 2018 Census date 18 May 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 8 June 2018 Assessment period ends 1 July 2018
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Graduate Certificate in Ageing Course Specialist Certificate in Ageing Course Master of Ageing Course Master of Rehabilitation Science Course Graduate Diploma in Rehabilitation Science Course Master of Public Administration Course Master of Public Administration (Enhanced) Course Graduate Certificate in Rehabilitation Science Course Graduate Diploma in Ageing Course Master of Public Health Informal specialisation 150 Point Master of Public Policy and Management Informal specialisation Ageing Informal specialisation 100 Point Master of Public Policy and Management Informal specialisation 200 Point Master of Public Policy and Management - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 3 November 2022