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Ethics of Ageing and End of Life (POPH90260)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2023
To learn more, visit 2023 Course and subject delivery.
Overview
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This subject provides an overview of some of the key ethical issues associated with ageing and the end of life, 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 and the end of life encountered throughout the Master 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".
Topics covered include diverse historical and cultural perspectives on common ethical issues of ageing and the end of life; 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; advance care directives and substitute decision-making; the ethical debates around assisted dying; and intergenerational obligations in the contexts of care giving and the environment.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students will be able to:
- Recognise and explain basic elements of ethical theory and frameworks, relevant to ageing and end of life.
- Discuss key ethical principles and concepts and apply to workplace and social issues related to ageing and end of life.
- Analyse and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to an ethical issue in ageing and end of life.
- Formulate a proposed solution to an ethical challenge in ageing and end of life, supported by considered ethical reasoning.
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: 31 January 2024
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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Contribution to online participation | Throughout the teaching period | 10% |
Online presentation
| Week 3 | 10% |
Reflective essay
| Week 6 | 25% |
Essay Plan
| Week 7 | 5% |
Argumentative essay
| Week 9 | 50% |
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
Not available in 2023
Time commitment details
170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
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 Rehabilitation Science Course Graduate Certificate in Ageing Course Master of Public Administration Course Master of Public Administration (Enhanced) Course Master of Rehabilitation Science Course Master of Public Health Course Master of Ageing Informal specialisation Evaluation and Implementation Science - 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.
Last updated: 31 January 2024