UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Module Specification
1.
Title of module
Reproduction and the Beginnings of Life (LW867)
2.
School responsible for management of module
Law
3.
Start date of module
2005/6
4.
Number of students expected to take the module
Fifteen to twenty
5.
Modules to be withdrawn on the introduction of this proposed module
and consultation with other relevant Schools and Faculties regarding
the withdrawal
None. Previous 15 credit module with identical title will be withdrawn when
part-time students have completed their courses.
6.
Level of Module
M (FHEQ Level: 7) Postgraduate.
7.
Number of Credits which the module represents
20 credits (10 ECTS credits).
8.
Term in which the module will be taught
Autumn or Spring term.
9.
Pre-requisite and co-requisite modules
None.
10.
Programmes of study to which the module contributes
Primarily LLM and PgDip in Medical Law and Ethics. The module may also be
taken by postgraduate students enrolled in other Kent Law School LLMs.
Available to non-law students at the module convenor’s discretion.
11.
Intended subject specific learning outcomes, and, as appropriate, their
relationship to programme learning outcomes
Subject specific learning outcomes include:
Students will have an enhanced understanding of the legal regulation of
reproduction, sex and conception and the ethical principles upon which this is
based.
Students will appreciate the relationship between medical law and feminist
and ethical concerns in relation to contraception, abortion and new
reproductive technologies.
Students will gain insight into the pragmatic, ethical and theoretical factors
impacting on the regulation of assisted conception and collaborative
reproduction.
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12.
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Students will be able to form a conceptual overview of the continuing debates
over the appropriate limits upon reproductive autonomy in relation to notions
such as dignity as these impact on the regulation of reproduction.
Subject specific learning outcomes will correlate with programme learning
outcomes as listed within programme outcomes in the programme
specifications for the LLM in Medical Law and Ethics. These include
knowledge and understanding of: the institutions and structures associated
with medicine, ethics and the law and the interrelationships between them,
the theoretical and academic debates which underpin medical law, the
importance of evaluating medical law alongside its theoretical, ethical and
practical contexts and current and developing issues in medical law and
ethics.
The intended generic learning outcomes and, as appropriate, their
relationship to programme learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will demonstrate the
following skills.
Analytical thought and writing: reflect upon complex ideas and arguments;
digest, analyse and test scholarly views; relate scholarly ideas and arguments
to issues and circumstances in the contemporary medical law and ethics;
summarise and analyse scholarly arguments in writing.
Advocacy and defence: formulate an opinion in response to an issue or
question, construct coherent and persuasive arguments to advocate one’s
view and defend that view against criticism.
Communication and presentation skills: prepare oral and written
presentations of information and viewpoints to peers; respond to comment
and criticism from peers; lead and manage group discussion.
Problem solving: respond at short notice to questions and challenges making
use of knowledge, analytic skills and perspectives acquired in the module.
13.
Synopsis of the curriculum
The curriculum includes the overall ethical and regulatory framework within
which a continuing societal debate over appropriate limits on reproductive
autonomy takes place. Contextual ethical and legal concepts will be explored
in relation to controversial topics such as ‘designer babies’, cloning and
‘unnatural’ motherhood. The role of regulatory oversight of reproduction and
the fundamental assumptions upon which this is based, such as compulsory
altruism, will be subjected to legal and ethical critique.
14.
Indicative reading list
Emily Jackson, Medical Law: Text and Materials (2010, 2nd Edition).
This will be supplemented by a range of academic literature and other
materials, including media reports.
15.
Learning and teaching methods, nature and number of contact hours
and the total study hours expected of students, and how these relate to
learning outcomes
Two hours of staff/student contact each week involving interactive lectures
and discursive seminars will be conducted throughout the module. Students
are expected to prepare for and participate in all classes. It is expected that
each module will involve 200 study hours.
Ethical and legal issues which centre upon reproduction and the beginning of
life involve fundamental social values. In societies characterised by value
pluralism, this leads to a continuing lack of consensus over how, if at all,
reproductive choice should be limited. As a consequence, this module fosters
a critical and socio-legal contextual critique of medical law and ethics,
particularly in relation to feminist concerns. This module will provide students
with the opportunity to conduct detailed analysis of specific topical issues here
and will assist in the selection of suitable dissertation titles.
16.
Assessment methods and how these relate to testing achievement of
the intended learning outcomes
The module is assessed by one essay of 4000 to 5000 words, excluding
quotations and footnotes. A choice of essay titles relating to the topics
covered in the module will be circulated in the first week of teaching and
students will be invited to select one title. Students may write on another
essay title with the agreement of the module convenor. The objective of the
essay is to test the student's knowledge and understanding of the subject
matter, research skills, analytical capacity and ability to express ideas in a
clear and coherent manner upon a basis of the learning outcomes as
described above.
Assessments are required to be submitted by dates specified in the Student
Guide for the programme. Late submission of essays will be accepted only in
exceptional circumstances and with the prior agreement of the Programme
Convenor and the Director of Graduate Studies. Students are required to
submit concessionary evidence in support of a request for late submission.
Where an essay is submitted late without prior agreement it will ordinarily be
awarded a mark of 0%.
17.
Implications for learning resources
There are no implications for an extra burden to be placed upon learning
resources.
18.
Statement confirming that, as far as can be reasonably anticipated, the
curriculum, learning and teaching methods and forms of assessment do
not present any non-justifiable disadvantage to students with
disabilities
Insofaras can be reasonably anticipated, the curriculum, learning and
teaching methods and forms of assessment do not present any non-justifiable
disadvantage to students with disabilities.
Statement by Director of Learning and Teaching
‘I confirm that I have been consulted on the above module proposal and have given
advice on the correct procedures and required content of module proposals’.
Director of Learning and Teaching
Date
Statement by Head of School
‘I confirm that the School has approved the introduction of the module and will be
responsible for its resourcing’.
Head of School
Date