2010 Course Handbook
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LAW521: Health Law and Ethics
The aim of this unit is to introduce students to the rich area of multidisciplinary scholarship in health law and human bioethics. The unit is run by examining discrete topics in health care, biotechnology, and bioethics, including current controversies such as genetics; cloning; foetal rights; abortion; the right to die; and the control of infectious diseases. This unit aims at arming students with a proper understanding of the interaction between the legal and medical spheres, including the complex web of ethical principles, case law, statute and professional regulation that relates to health care. Health law covers an enormous compass: from the law of torts to criminal law, from administrative law to contract. In this unit for example, the duties of health care providers are analysed in relation to contract and negligence law, with particular emphasis on the duty of care concept and its intersection with ethical obligations. The impact of criminal law is examined with the study of the law on euthanasia against a backdrop of moral debates in this area. The legal status of professional self-regulation and ethical practices is also critically studied. Finally, the extent and scope of the increasing influence of public health regulation is discussed.
| Credit Points: | 4 |
| Contact Hours: | 4 |
| When Offered: | D1 - Day; Offered in the first half-year Summer Session - Offered in January-February as part of Summer School program X1 - External study; Offered in the first half-year (Session Dates: 16-17 April) |
| Staff Contact(s): | Mr George Tomossy |
| Prerequisites: |
6cp in LAW units at 300 level (P) |
| Corequisites: | |
| NCCW(s): | |
| Unit Designation(s): | |
| Assessed As: | Graded |
| Offered By: | Macquarie Law School |
Timetable Information
For unit timetable information please visit the Timetables@Macquarie Website .