2009-2010 KCUMB College Catalog - Kansas City University of ...

* Special Note: Dual degree students who are simultaneously completing the D.O.
program and M.A. in bioethics program may substitute a combination of IDIS
110: Ethics for Physicians and BETH 506: Exploring the Foundations of Bioethics
in lieu of the required course, BETH 502: Introduction to Bioethics. However,
dual degree bioethics students who choose this option may not use IDIS 110 to
partially fulfill their 4 semester elective requirement in the D.O. program.
Master of Arts in Bioethics (Career Enhancement Track)
This track is designed for health-care professionals – physicians, nurses, social
workers, attorneys, chaplains, medical technicians, etc., who have developed an interest
in bioethics professionally and would like to pursue master’s-level training in bioethics.
These students may pursue the master’s degree on a part-time basis, although the
expectation is that the degree will be completed by five years. There is no required order
of courses for completion of the bioethics degree. Therefore, career enhancement
students may take the required and elective courses in the order that works best for their
individual schedules.
Bioethics Course Descriptions
BETH 501 – History and Methodology for Bioethics
This course establishes the philosophical foundations for bioethics. The course
begins with a survey of key historical figures, such as Plato, Aristotle, Kant and Mill, as
well as several representative 20th century figures, such as Rawls and Nussbaum.
Connections between these philosophers and current issues in bioethics are identified
and explored along the way. The course also examines different methods of ethical
reasoning, such as deontology, teleology, casuistry, aretology and narrative approaches.
3 semester credits
BETH 502 – Introduction to Bioethics
This course provides an overview of the major areas of bioethics. Participants gain
familiarity with the terminology, resources and major frameworks of ethical analysis
involved in the field of bioethics. Issues that are examined and analyzed include problemsolving
methods, the theory and practice of informed consent, end-of-life decisionmaking,
physician-assisted death, pediatric ethical dilemmas, resource allocation and
problems posed by managed care, research ethics and organ transplantation. Extensive
use of case discussion and analysis assist learners in developing and enhancing problemsolving
skills.
3 semester credits
165