MASTER RESOURCE OUTLINE

Credits: 2 (Lec 1, R/D 1) 

Semesters Offered: F, Sp, Su 

Prerequisite: None 

CourseDescription

Drawing on contemporary issues in bioethics this foundational course explores influential moral values, philosophical principles and theories as formal grounding for ethical decision making and action in health care. A broad historical, cultural and societal perspective is emphasized to provide the background for understanding the everyday ethical problems that health professionals encounter in their practices. A psychological and social framework of analysis is used to foster sensitivity, skills of analysis and ethical behavior in situations of moral conflict.  

Course Objectives:  The student will:  

  1. Discuss the relationship between ethics and the law in health care delivery. (F12, T7) 
  2. Interpret contemporary bioethical principles related to health care in relation to their historical, social and cultural roots. (F11, T6) 
  3. Explain how ethics research informs professional practice. (F4, T4) 
  4. Determine what fundamental ethical principles apply to everyday clinical practice situations. (F6, 12; T7) 
  5. Interpret the interrelations among components of morality including moral sensitivity, reasoning, decision making and behavior. (F6, 7, 11; T2) 
  6. Develop a framework relating ethical codes and standards to moral decision making and behavior. (F6, 7; T3, 7) 
  7. Explainhow personal and social valuesand beliefs may compete with accepted principles create moral conflict in clinical practice. (F3, 11; T6) 
  8. Analyze how values and beliefs, professional ethical codes, ethical theories and principles facilitate or impede action in support of a moral position. (F6, 11; T3, 7) 
  9. Apply theories, principles, and codes of ethics to the analysis everyday ethical problems. (F6; T3) 
  10. Demonstrate cultural and social awareness in analyzing and formulating responses to ethical problems. (F10; T10) 
  11.  Students will demonstrate behaviors that are congruent with theMSU Code of Conduct, CON Student Handbook,ANA Code of Ethics, Scope and Standards of Practice, and Social Policy Statements in all class related interactions. (F6-9, 12-13, T2,3,6,8,13) 

Course Learning Outcomes

  1. Studentswill interpret health care ethical issues in the media. 
  2. Students will analyze end of life issues. 
  3. Students will compose a policy letter regarding a legal/ethical issue. 

Recommended Content and Concepts

  • Philosophical foundations of modern bioethics 
  • Psychological and social perspectives on moral behavior 
  • Ethics research; ways of knowing about moral thought and behavior. 
  • Developmental components of morality. 
  • Moral and legal values, principles and theories related to health care. 
  • The social contract applied to professional nursing. 
  • Rights and obligations of clients and health care professionals. 
  • Historical, cultural and societal perspectives on ethics and laws governing health care. 
  • Research involving human subjects. 
  • Cross-cultural ethical considerations in the delivery of health care services. 
  • Ethnic and racial disparities in health care: ethical dimensions. 
  • Frameworks for representing and analyzing ethical problems in health care. 
  • ANA and other professional codes of ethics. 
  • Introduction to analysis and resolution of problematic moral issues. 
  • Ethical issues related to particular patient problems or clinical settings (everyday ethics,  
  • environmental and social justice, euthanasia, implications of the human genome  
  • project, etc.).  
  • Origins, sources and resolutions of ethical conflicts. 

Suggested Student Learning Activities 

Reading 

Discussion/analysis/debates 

Internet searches for documentation/rationale/review section of the Nurse Practice Act,  

Montana Code Annotated (MCA) 

Literature citations using APA 

 

 

Approved by UAAC: April 20, 2020    

Approved by Faculty: May 11, 2020