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End of Life Issues (POPH90259)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Online
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Term 3
Melbourne School of Professional and Continuing Education
Overview
Availability | Term 3 - Online |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject explores the ethical issues that may arise at the end of life. Beginning with a multidisciplinary exploration of the concept of the end of life, students will investigate a number of longstanding as well as emerging issues that confront individuals, families, professionals and societies. Students will consider the implications of making decisions in various domains at different stages of the end of life, as well as the potential role of families, friends, carers, health professionals, lawyers, other professionals and policy makers in such decision making.
The subject will focus in particular on the role and responsibilities of professionals working with people preparing for or at the end of their lives. Topics may include historical and cultural perspectives on mortality and the end of life; justice in the distribution of resources at the end of life; the concept of a "good death" and euthanasia; determination of death and deceased donation of organs and tissues; and end-of life care planning and decision-making.
The curriculum for this subject will engage with art as a medium for reflection on ethical issues. Throughout the subject, students will explore a number of artworks independently and with their peers in exercises designed to foster skills in observation, interpretation, and analysis as well emotional engagement.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students will be able to:
- Recognise, explain and critically reflect on ethical issues concerned with the end of life from a variety of perspectives, and identify professional ethical responsibilities that may be relevant in the context of end of life issues.
- Demonstrate an informed understanding of core ethical principles and concepts through exposition and application of these in the analysis of end- of-life issues.
- Formulate reflective arguments outlining potential solutions to ethical dilemmas in the context of the end of life.
- Identify, critically analyse, and explain ethical dilemmas that may confront professionals working with people at the end of life, and formulate solutions to these dilemmas that are well grounded in ethical arguments.
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 clinical care, 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
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Contribution to small group activity with peers that involves observation, description, and analysis of ethical issues inspired by specific artworks. Weeks 2, 5 and 6 | During the assessment period | 10% |
Seven reflective discussion board posts (one per week for weeks 1-7) summarising learning from weekly learning activities (500 words in total – approximately 70 words per post on average)
| End of term | 10% |
Written reflective essay discussing an ethical issue in the context of end of life
| Mid term | 25% |
Structured peer review of another student's essay.
| Mid term | 5% |
Argumentative essay exploring an ethical issue for professionals working in the end-of-life.
| End of term | 50% |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Term 3 - Online
Principal coordinator Lynn Gillam Mode of delivery Online Contact hours 30 hours Total time commitment 170 hours Pre teaching start date 15 July 2019 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 22 July 2019 to 15 September 2019 Last self-enrol date 16 July 2019 Census date 9 August 2019 Last date to withdraw without fail 30 August 2019 Assessment period ends 22 September 2019 Term 3 contact information
Melbourne School of Professional and Continuing Education
Further Information: MSPGH WebsiteAcademic Contact: l.gillam@unimelb.edu.auPhone: + 61 3 8344 0149Monday to Friday 8am to 9pm AEST/AEDT. Weekends and University of Melbourne observed Public Holidays 10am to 5pm AEST/AEDT.
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Students will have access to electronic copies of relevant readings.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Graduate Certificate in Ageing Course Specialist Certificate in Ageing Course Master of Public Administration Course Master of Rehabilitation Science Course Master of Ageing Course Master of Public Administration (Enhanced) Course Graduate Diploma in Rehabilitation Science Course Master of Public Health Course Graduate Certificate in Rehabilitation Science Course Graduate Diploma in Ageing Informal specialisation Ageing - 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.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022