(Recorded Course) Bioethics and Human Dignity with Kris Correira

This course explores the ethical principles in the area of science and how Catholic teaching guides us.

How to get the most out of the Bioethics and Human Dignity recorded course with Kris Correira:

PLEASE READ THE COURSE SYLLABUS FOR COMPLETE DETAILS AND GRADING INFORMATION!!!

  • Week 1
    • Watch the recording
    • Complete the two lessons in the Class Material section
    • Complete Assignments - you must complete the Week 2 Class Prep in order to write your reflection
  • Weeks 2 through 12
    • Watch the recording
    • Complete Assignments
      • Weekly reflection (requires you complete the following week's Class Prep first)
      • Work on presentation
  • Week 8
    • This was the class students gave their presentations
    • The assignment schedule is adjusted accordingly

  • Once the course is completed to the parent's and professor’s satisfaction, there is a Certificate of Completion at the end to be filled in for your records.

Total classes: 12

Duration: 55 minutes for 8 weeks, then 75 minutes for 4 weeks.

Prerequisite: None

Suggested grade level: 10th to 12th grade

Suggested credit: 1 semester non-lab Science or Philosophy.

Instructor Email: athomescience@gmail.com

Course description: Science offers boundless potential for healing and betterment but also for death and destruction. The ethical principles upon which we base our science research and application shape its path. The Catholic Church holds the dignity of the human person as the central ethical principle to guide all others. This course examines the dark side of secular science in the twentieth century and its impact on law and society. It then presents an ethical system based on the Catholic view of human dignity and applies it to modern controversies.

Course outline:

  • What is Bioethics?
  • The Eugenics Movement
  • Research Atrocities
  • Secular Bioethics
  • Dignity of the Human Person
  • Catholic Bioethics
  • Modern Controversies
  • Natural Law - Introduction
  • Natural Law - Ethical Divide
  • Natural Law - Ontological Divide
  • Natural Law - Potentiality and Genetics

Course materials: Alfonso Gomez-Lobo & John Keown (2015). Bioethics and the Human Goods: An Introduction to Natural Law Bioethics. Georgetown University Press. ISBN 1626161631

Homework: This course was taught in a flipped-classroom format. Students were expected to gain familiarity with the assigned media (print, audio, video) prior to class and to participate in the online discussion forum. Meeting time was spent engaging students with the material using the Socratic Method and other active learning approaches. Because there is no live component, no class participation or online discussion forum is assigned. An answer key is not provided for this course.