Notre Dame de Sion

Bioethics

Course Syllabus

 

Instructor:  Amy Vandenbrul

 

Phone:  (816) 942-3282  ext. 405

 

E-mail:  avandenbrul@ndsion.com

 

Required Materials:

            1.  Textbook:  Life Science Ethics, Gary Comstock

            2.  Writing utensils (must have #2 pencils with erasers for exams)

            3.  3-ring binder or folder

            4.  Single Subject Spiral Notebook (for journal)

 

Hours of Availability:  before school 7:45-8:00 am,  after school beginning promptly at 3:05

 

Course Description:  This bioethics course has been designed to offer the student a pathway to explore some of the most cutting-edge scientific concepts surfacing the planet today.  Throughout the course, students will delve into some interesting and controversial topics such as genetic engineering, transgenic crops, cloning, and stem cell research.  Each of these issues will be explored utilizing a variety of ethical theories and a variety of ethical decision making processes.  A large portion of the course is devoted to biotechnology.  Students will have the opportunity to experience hands-on biotechnology by completing various labs.

 

Course Expectations:

 

1.  Follow all school rules at all times.  These can be found in the student handbook.

 

2.  No disrespecting others.  Throughout the course we will explore controversial issues;  it is imperative that all students choose their works carefully in order to avoid offending anyone.

 

3.  Come to class ready to participate.  A portion of your grade relies on it.  More importantly, the class simply will not work without everyone’s full involvement. 

 

4.  Follow all lab instructions carefully and always obey all safety precautions.

 

5.  Maintain a proper voice level at all times.  Do not speak while others are speaking.  Always comment on topic.

 

6.  All forms of cheating including plagiarism are inexcusable!  See student handbook for details.

 

Course Assessments:

 

1.  Tests

            Students will be tested after each unit of instruction (see course outline). Tests will include multiple choice,  true false, matching, diagram interpretation and essay questions.  Students will receive a review sheet prior to each test.  The day before each test will be designated as a review day.  If a student is absent of the review day, but present on the day of the exam she must take the exam at the scheduled time.  Due to the tentative nature of the course, exact test dates cannot be given.  Students will be notified at least a week prior to each major test.

 

2.  Quizzes

            Quizzes will be given periodically throughout the semester.  Students will be forewarned of quizzes covering technical content; however, pop quizzes may be given without notice to ensure that reading assignments are being completed or in-class activities are given proper attention.  Averages of two quizzes are given per unit of instruction.

 

3.  Homework

            Bioethics homework typically does not include worksheets and book questions like a typical science class would.  Homework assignments are usually reading assignments and it is crucial that they are completed before the assigned date.  Class discussions are usually centered on the assigned readings and participation points may be difficult to earn if a student has not completed the assigned reading.  Generally, students will also respond to the reading assignments in their “Bioethics Journal”.  Students will also have homework that will include researching various topics on the Internet.  If a student has Internet “issues” at home, she must see the instructor on the day the assignment is given so arrangements can be made.  Students are expected to complete homework assignments individually unless otherwise stated.  Students may ask assistance from one another, but work should be completed individually.

 

 

4.  Bioethics Journal

            Each student will keep a journal in which they will personally respond to assigned readings, class discussions, videos, etc.  A typical journal entry is about 3 paragraphs in length and shows that the student is using their power of reason to critically assess a given topic.  Journals will be collected at random and each entry will be graded based on the degree of critical thinking involved.   Grading rubrics will be discussed in class.  Students must use a single subject spiral notebook for their journal.

 

5.  Papers and Other Major Projects

            Formulating ethical arguments is crucial in the development of ethical reasoning skills.  Students will be formulating their own arguments on various bioethical topics by writing formal position papers.  Students will write papers on some of the following topics:  genetic engineering, cloning, stem cells, and transgenic crops.  Each student will be given a detailed grading rubric for each assigned paper at least two weeks in advance.   Students are encouraged to see the instructor if they do not fully understand the assignment and if they need any type of assistance in the paper writing process.  Plagiarism, or any type of academic dishonesty, is not acceptable.  A student will receive a deduction in their grade based on the level of dishonesty encountered.  Each paper must be an original work  showing the synthesis of information from each individual student.

 

6.  Labs

            Students will complete 2-3 major  labs throughout the semester.  All pre-lab activities (worksheets, reading assignments, etc.) must be completed before the student will be allowed to begin the lab.  If a student is absent on the day of the lab, they must make up the lab on a scheduled make-up day (usually 2-3 days after the lab).  Students must follow all laboratory safety precautions at all times.  Students must clean up all of their lab materials and may be kept late without a pass if they have had sufficient time to complete the lab yet did not do to “goofing off” in class.  Students will lose participation points if they are not fully participation within their lab group.

 

7.  Participation

            This course will include a number of class discussions.  participation in discussions and other activities is crucial.  A participation notebook will be kept by the instructor that will keep record of all participation points earned by each student.  A detailed explanation of how points will be awarded will be discussed din class.  In general, students will be awarded points for each genuine, unique, on-topic statement that they discuss during a class discussion.  For a typical 48-minute class, each student will be expected to discuss at least three ideas to earn a 100% participation grade.  Students will not lose participation points for excused absences, but must complete an alternative assignment to receive the missed points.

 

8.  Portfolio

            Students must keep all of their bioethics work and collect other artifacts for a “Bioethics Portfolio”.  Portfolios will be due at the end of the semester and should include a variety of the students work.  Each portfolio should paint a creative picture of the students’ ethical views.  Portfolio grading requirements and ideas will be given in class.

 

9.  Final Exam

            Each student must complete a comprehensive final exam at the end of the semester.  The final exam will comprise 20% of the their final semester grade.  The bioethics final exam will include material from the course tests as well as a comprehensive formal essay.   Any type of academic dishonesty will result in a 0% for the final exam grade.

 

10.  Course Calendar

            A course calendar will be kept in room 105.  All assignments and tests will be on the calendar and it is the students responsibility to check the calendar for upcoming due dates or assignments missed during absences.

 

Overall Course Grading Policy:

            ~Each test is worth approximately 100 points and along with quizzes will comprise             approximately 40% of the quarter grade.

            ~Papers and other written work will comprise approximately 305 of the quarter                               grade.

            ~Participation  comprises 10% of the students’ quarter grade.

            ~In-class activities and other homework such as worksheets will comprise                               approximately 20% of the quarter grade.

 

Tentative Course Outline

 

Weeks 1-3  Introduction to Ethics

            A.  What is Ethics?                        

            B.  Ethics, Morality, and Religion           

            C.  Ethical Reasoning                                

            D.  Formulating an Ethical Argument        

 

 

Weeks 4-8  Biotechnology (GMO’s)

            A.  Transgenic Bacteria and Pharmaceuticals          

            B.  Transgenic Crops and Animals

 

Weeks 9-12  Manipulation of the Human Germline

            A.  Genetic Screening and Selection

            B.  Gene Therapy

            C.  Gene Enhancement

 

Weeks 13-15  Cloning and Stem Cells

            A.  Reproductive Cloning

            B.  Therapeutic Cloning

            C.  Stem Cells

 

*This schedule is tentative and subject to change.  It has been designed to give the student and idea of the topics that will be covered and the amount of time that will be devoted to each topic.  After each topic, a test will be administered.  Additional time has been allocated in case a particular topic takes additional time.  If there is sufficient time remaining  in the semester organ donation, animal rights, and euthanasia will be covered.