autumn 2022
HEL-3008 Public Health Ethics - 10 ECTS
Course content
The course gives an introduction to key issues in public health ethics.
A major difference between (clinical) medical ethics and public health ethics is that in public health, many decisions are motivated by explicit utilitarian considerations: what policies will yield the greatest good for the greatest number of people? Therefore, a critical examination of utilitarianism is important in public health ethics.
Public health interventions are usually implemented by governments. The aim is to advance the health of populations. This population perspective creates inherent tensions between what benefits the population as a whole and the potential infringement of individual liberties. Attention will be given to core concepts in political philosophy, such as liberalism and communitarianism. Topics include claims of individual autonomy vs. the protection and improvement of public health, personal integrity and the collection of health information, ethical issues in epidemiology, health concepts and health promotion, research ethics: principles and guidelines.
Objectives of the course
The student should be able to identify, describe, reflect upon, analyze, and discuss central topics in public health ethics.
Knowledge and understanding:
- The student should be able to explain relevant aspects of consequentialist and non-consequentialist ethics.
- The student should be able to explain relevant topics in political philosophy.
- The student should be able to describe different health concepts.
- The student should be able to describe basic research ethical principles and rules of conduct.
General proficiency:
- The student should be able to analyze ethical dilemmas in health promotion and prevention.
Teaching methods
The teaching will consist of 2 on-campus classes of 2-3 days duration. On-campus activities are to include lectures, seminars, presentations and group discussions. Attendance to the on-campus classes is mandatory. In addition, teaching will be based on resources from the online learning management system. The classes will be held in English.Information to incoming exchange students
This course is open for inbound exchange student who meets the admission requirements, including prerequisites. Please see the Admission requirements" and the "Prerequisite" sections for more information.
Do you have questions about this course? Please check the following website to contact the course coordinator for exchange students at the faculty: https://en.uit.no/education/art?p_document_id=510412
Examination
| Examination: | Date: | Duration: | Grade scale: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Off campus exam | Hand out: 30.09.2022 09:00 Hand in: 10.10.2022 12:00 |
4 Days | A–E, fail F |
Coursework requirements:To take an examination, the student must have passed the following coursework requirements: |
|||
| A written individual assignment | Approved – not approved | ||
| Mandatory attendance to lectures and seminars | Approved – not approved | ||
More info about the coursework requirements
- The students have to hand-in and pass one written, individual assignment before they can take the exam. Assignments shall be handed in as specified in the assignment instructions. The students can write the assignments in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English. The assignments are graded as approved or not approved.
- Attendance to the on-campus classes is mandatory.
- About the course
- Campus: Tromsø |
- ECTS: 10
- Course code: HEL-3008
- Responsible unit
- Institutt for samfunnsmedisin
- Tidligere år og semester for dette emnet