Life, Death, Medicine and Law: The Big Issues

Instructor:
Dr. Laura Hartman

Dr. Laura Hartman earned her PhD. in applied religious ethics, including medical, sexual, and environmental ethics, at the University of Virginia. At Augustana, she has taught medical ethics, sexual ethics, environmental ethics, Christian ethics, and Honors. Her current research is about ethics and transportation, which has led her to become a devoted bus-rider, avid biker, and urban hiking enthusiast.

Program dates: June 23-25, 2013

Program cost: $300

Includes lodging, all meals and any field trips. Students arrive on campus Sunday, June 23, and depart Tuesday, June 25.

Course description

Medical professionals have to wrestle with definitions of life and death as they determine whether and how to perform controversial procedures like abortion and euthanasia. In this course we look closely at the ideas behind the arguments for and against the legality of abortion and euthanasia. If you have strong opinions, or if you don't know what to think, come prepared to learn about the many sides of these complex issues. Anyone thinking of going into medicine, law, or politics would benefit from this quick but deep primer on medical ethics and public policy.

Tentative schedule

Sunday, June 23

Check-in
Welcome reception

Monday, June 24

9 a.m. — Introductions, overview, and tools of ethics

10 a.m. — Introduction to abortion: What is abortion? What is the status of fetal life? From Catholic, Protestant, Jewish and Muslim perspectives

12:30 p.m. — Lunch

1:15 p.m. — Field trip to visit abortion provider and abortion counselor; discussions on abortion law and fathers' rights

4 p.m. — Abortion justifications, special cases and alternatives

5 p.m. — Wrap up

Tuesday, June 25

9 a.m. — Q&A review of Monday

9:30 a.m. — Refusing and terminating life-sustaining treatment

11 a.m. — Guest speaker: lawyer on legal issues relating to death, including wills and advance directives

Noon — Lunch

1 p.m. — Vist from hospital chaplain: discussion of illnes, death and spirituality

1:30 p.m. — Suicide and definitions of death

2:30 p.m. — Exercise: writing a living will

3:15 p.m. — Final discussion

4 p.m. Program concludes