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 Modules to be withdrawn on the introduction of this proposed module and consultation with other relevant Schools and Faculties regarding the withdrawal None. Previous 15 credit module with identical title will be withdrawn when part-time students have completed their courses. 6.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. 12. 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