|
2006-2007 FOURTH-YEAR COURSE OFFERINGS
BIoethics in the Mass Media
November 6-December 1, 2006
- Tuesdays & Thursdays
- 1:30 - 5:00 p.m.
- Room C1800
Program Director: Michael J. Green, M.D., M.S.
Maximum Number of Students: 16
Credits: 5.0 - Full-time course
Course Number: HMN 797-B
Description:
Physicians and the medical profession are popular
subjects for Hollywood movies and television programs. In many of these
presentations, physicians (or patients) face difficult ethical dilemmas that
reflect contentious social issues of the time. In this seminar, we will explore
how bioethical issues are portrayed in the movies (and to a lesser extent, on
television). The emphasis of the course will be on improving students' critical
viewing skills, to learn more about how ethical issues are portrayed in film,
and how such issues are resolved.
The course will be taught seminar style, with
emphasis on critical reflection and class participation. There will be some
required reading every week, and students will be expected to screen films and
co-lead one of the class discussions.
Additionally, students will participate in a group
project to help develop a database of bioethical issues found in movies and
television programs. This will involve identifying 2-3 short film or television
clips (1-4 minutes in length) that illustrate ethical issues or dilemmas
(confidentiality, truth-telling, respecting patient wishes, informed consent,
research ethics, etc), and helping to create and organize a DVD of these short
film clips.
Finally, students will compose and present a
detailed case analysis of an ethical issue that is raised in one of films or
television episodes.
Among the movies we might watch:
|
