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Ethics of Ageing (POPH90260)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Online

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As part of the University’s response to COVID-19 and the associated Government restrictions and guidelines, most subjects will continue to be delivered online in Winter and Semester 2.
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
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Overview

Availability
Term 2 - Online
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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

Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Contribution to online participation

Throughout the teaching period10%

Online presentation

  • 5 minutes
Held in the middle of the teaching period10%

Reflective essay

  • 1,500 words
Due in the middle of the teaching period30%

Reflective essay

  • 2,500 words
End of the teaching period50%

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Dates & times

  • Term 2 - Online
    Principal coordinatorRosalind McDougall
    Mode of deliveryOnline
    Contact hours
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Pre teaching start date20 April 2020
    Pre teaching requirementsDuring 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 period27 April 2020 to 21 June 2020
    Last self-enrol date21 April 2020
    Census date15 May 2020
    Last date to withdraw without fail 5 June 2020
    Assessment period ends28 June 2020

    Term 2 contact information

    Melbourne School of Professional and Continuing Education
    Phone: + 61 3 8344 0149
    Monday 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

Last updated: 3 November 2022