Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Environmental Ethics
Module Code	BE409
School	School of Biotechnology
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Rosaleen Devery Semester 2: Rosaleen Devery Autumn: Rosaleen Devery
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

To introduce the student to the subject of ethics with particular reference to developments in environmental science and health.

Learning Outcomes

1. Appreciate risk, precaution and trust
2. Discuss issues that are of ethical concern for the biosphere
3. Formulate an ethical view on how to promote democratic decision making in environmental science and health
4. Construct reasoned arguments to support their position on the ethical and social impact of advances in environmental science and technology

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Lecture	14	No Description
Independent learning	102	No Description
Group work	9	No Description
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Brief History of Science and Societal attitudes to Science.
o Enlightenment, Modernism & Postmodernism.

Public evaluation of science and technology.
Role of media, models for communication of science with public.

Introduction to Environmental ethics.
Introduction to Environmental ethicso Definitiono Development of Ethicsï‚§ Ancient Greeksï‚§ Judaeo-Christian ethicsï‚§ Natural Lawï‚§ Ethics after 16th Centuryâ€¢ Ethical Theories: deontological, consequentialism / utilitarianism and virtue ethicsï‚§ Growth of Environmental Ethicsï‚§ Environmental Ethics in 21st centuryâ€¢ Valueso Instrumental, biocentrism, ecocentrismâ€¢ The issueso sustainability, terrestrial and aquatic pollution, global climate change, environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity,â€¢ Societyï‚§ Making ethical decisionsï‚§ Standards of ethical conduct in science.

The Practice of Ethics.
o Risk, The Precautionary principle and Trusto Administration of Science & Technology in Irelandï‚§ Science Foundation Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency, Health Research Boardo Regulationï‚§ National Council for Bioethics, Government departments (Health & Children, Agriculture & Food, Justice), Environmental Protection Agency, Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, Food Safety Authority in Ireland, Irish Medicines Boardo Intellectual Property & Patenting.

Test case in environmental ethics.
o Destruction of Rainforest.

Test case in Precautionary Principle.
o Toxic Waste from Chlorine industry.

Test case in environmental racism.
o Skull Valley.

Test case in Ecological Justice & Energy Choices.
o ANWR.

Ethical, legal and social issues with regard to genetic modification.
o animalso foodso crops.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Presentation	How science, risk, precaution, trust are communicated in the media	20%	Week 4
Report (s) (written / oral)	Individual Stakeholder report on Case study	40%	Week 9
Presentation	Identification of key issues in case study, explanation of complexities and formulation of set of recommendations	20%	Week 10
Presentation	Peer review of case study	20%	Week 12

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 2

Indicative Reading List

John Bryant, Linda Baggott la Velle, John Searle: 2005, Introduction to Bioethics, 1st, John Wiley & Sons, England, 0 470021985
John Bryant, Linda Baggott la Velle, John Searle: 2002, Bioethics for scientists, 1st, Wiley, Chichester, 0471495328
G. Tyler Miller Jr: 2007, Living in the Environment Principles, Connections and Solutions, 15th, Thomson Brooks/Cole, 0-495-12524-5
Ben Mepham: 2005, Bioethics An introduction for the biosciences, 1st, 12, Oxford University Press, Oxford OX2 6DP, 0-19-926715-4

Other Resources

None

Array

Programme or List of Programmes

ESH

BSc Environmental Science & Health

ESHI

BSc Environmental Science &Health (Int)

SHSA

Study Abroad (Science & Health)

Timetable this semester: Timetable for BE409

Date of Last Revision