Course Syllabus

Spring 2026 | HUM-2020-VO02 - Bioethics

Online Class

Online courses take place 100% online via Canvas, without required in-person or Zoom meetings.

Faculty

Mercedes Pour-Previti
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Jennifer Gundy

General Education Requirements

Humanistic Perspectives

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

This course explores ethical issues and decision-making processes involved in biomedical research and practice, as viewed from legal, medical, social and philosophical perspectives. Students will apply philosophical frameworks, theoretical approaches, argument development skills, and critical thinking to address moral questions pertaining to the beginning and end of life, biotechnology and genetic experimentation, justice in healthcare, responsibilities of physicians, environmental health and other pertinent subjects.

Essential Objectives

1. Discuss individual, social, cultural, and ethical implications of making decisions on a range of moral issues related to healthcare and biology (including right to life and death, reproductive issues, sexual assignment, cloning, and the role of religion in healthcare), and reflect on varied positions surrounding these.
2. Identify and define key concepts, facts, theories, and perspectives important in clarifying and resolving bioethical concerns including patient choice, confidentiality, informed consent, access to information, and physician/family relationships.
3. Discuss types of criteria which physicians, hospital administrators, government officials, and legal professionals use in making decisions affecting human life and how these affect individuals, families, and various populations.
4. Examine current controversies in biomedical research from political, social, and philosophical perspectives.
5. Explore philosophical and social justice implications of bioethical issues such as allocation of and access to healthcare resources, differential treatment of certain groups, and environmental health; describe their effect on specific populations and propose just solutions.
6. Demonstrate critical reasoning, research, and argumentation skills in analyzing and developing informed positions about significant bioethical controversies.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV computer recommendations Support page.

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

*** This is a no cost textbook or resource class. ***

This course only uses free Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials. For details, see the Canvas Site for this class.

Artificial Intelligence(AI) Policy Statement

CCV recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI tools are widely available and becoming embedded in many online writing and creative applications.

Allowed: This course's generative AI policy acknowledges technology, including generative AI, plays a supportive role in learning and feedback. During our class, we may use AI writing tools such as ChatGPT in certain specific cases. You will be informed as to when, where, and how these tools are permitted to be used, along with guidance for attribution. Any use outside of these specific cases constitutes a violation of CCV's Academic Integrity Policy.

Evaluation Criteria

Please know that this course runs Tuesday - Monday night. Work must be posted before 12 am on Tuesday to be considered submitted in the week prior. However, in the forums below take note of the due dates of original posts and responses.

In anticipation of internet/computer/access issues please have a backup plan. Know where you can access a computer and/or internet in your community and utilize multiple backup options. Your local CCV and libraries are great resources. Extensions for computer issues do not exist.

30% Discussion Forum: Each week I will pose a question or questions on the week’s topic. In your response, I ask that you demonstrate that you have done the readings or the viewings, have thought critically about the issues at hand, and are attempting to share your experiences to further the group discussion. This is where I am looking for you to use the week's readings or viewings to inform your answers to posted questions or discussion topics. This forum is a bit more informal - though all writing should have a tone fitting for professional exchange(No "text-language" - though the occasional smiley face helps to alleviate any miscommunication in our online community). In order to earn full credit in this forum:

• the original post must be a minimum of a full paragraph piece 250-400 words
• you must have at least two responses to your peers which approach short paragraphs (simple affirmations will not earn full credit; you need to move the discussion forward.)
• you must use your peers' names when you respond to them

Discussions only count if posted within the week they are due. In order to receive full credit and allow time for your peers to comment, please post by Friday night.

30% Posts (both public Forums and private Journals): Most weeks I ask you to post a more formal reflection on the week’s topic. This is a writing you compose and then post for your peers to read (post forum) or post privately to the instructor (journal post) depending on the week's question and topic. I would expect these posts to be one – two short paragraphs (minimum of 250 words) and demonstrate both mastery and familiarity with topics, readings, and viewings from the weeks prior. This is where I will expect you to begin to synthesize your thoughts as we move through the course. There are no replies required for this forum (but they are always welcome). Posts only count if posted within the week they are due. In order to receive full credit please post by Sunday night.

Both of the forums above will be graded according to their respective descriptions, these minimum expectations, and the following rubric:

1. Directly address the prompt

2. Include course grounded evidence

   • An incorporated 2+ referencesto the week’s assigned materials.
   • Limit quotations to ≤10% of your post; paraphrase in your own words
   • Concrete connection to context/content/module/topic at hand
   • Language and concepts of course thus far are evident

3. Length & structure

   • Original post:250–400 words (clear paragraphs with full sentences).
   • Peer replies (at least 2):100–150 words each; advance the discussion (pose a question, add evidence, offer a counterpoint, or synthesize).

4. Timeliness & interaction

   • Original post by the deadlinestated in the syllabus/Canvas
   • Replies (2 minimum) completed by the end of week deadline to allow dialogue.

5. Professional tone & netiquette

   • Respectful, inclusive, and academic language; correct grammar and mechanics.

6. Academic integrity & AI transparency (required statement)

   • If any AI tool was used (for brainstorming, outlining, proofreading, etc.), include a brief AI Transparency Note at the end of your post that states:
     • Tool(s) used andexact purpose
     • What text is fully your own
     • How you verified accuracy(e.g., doublechecked definitions/timestamps/page numbers)
   • Undisclosed or AIgenerated content presented as your own may result in a 0 and academic integrity referral per the syllabus.

Overall Scoring Caps:

Missing peer replies = -3 points regardless of original post quality

Materials or post that seem not to match course context without a reference = -3 regardless of post quality

Missing course reference = -3 regardless of post quality

AI generated response without transparency note = 0 regardless of post accuracy. If i get a similar output from AI as you post; I will assume AI generation.

10 points — Superior

• Timeliness: Original post and ≥2 replies meet deadlines and foster ongoing conversation.
• Prompt alignment: Fully addresses all parts of the prompt; references the question(s) explicitly.
• Course integration: 2+ precise referencesto assigned materials
• Evidence & analysis: Accurately interprets course concepts and applies them to a concrete, well-explained example; demonstrates original synthesis(e.g., compares frameworks, integrates sources).
• Writing quality: Clear, well-organized, minimal errors; professional tone.
• Replies: Substantive (builds, challenges with reasons, introduces new source/idea, or synthesizes peers’ points)
• Integrity: Proper paraphrasing and citations; AI Transparency Note included if applicable.

8–9 points — Strong

• Timeliness: Meets deadlines for original post and replies.
• Prompt alignment: Addresses most prompt elements.
• Course integration: At least one course references with correct anchors and accurate concept use.
• Evidence & analysis: Solid application to a relevant example; shows understanding, though synthesis or comparative insight may be lighter.
• Writing quality: Organized and generally polished; tone appropriate.
• Replies: Two on time replies that extend the conversation (some analysis or a meaningful question).
• Integrity: AI transparency provided if applicable; minor citation gaps at most.

6–7 points — Satisfactory

• Timeliness: Original post is late or replies are on time but minimal; interaction is present but limited.
• Prompt alignment: Responds to the prompt or shows completion of materials, but not both robustly.
• Course integration: At least one reference to course materials, though anchors may be partial or concept use is somewhat generic.
• Evidence & analysis: Basic explanation with limited application or originality; example may be brief or underdeveloped.
• Writing quality: Understandable but with organization/grammar issues; tone acceptable.
• Replies: Minimal agreement/disagreement with little elaboration; may lack course tieins.
• Integrity: No signs of plagiarism; AI transparency missing only if no AI was used.

4–5 points — Developing

• Timeliness: Late original postorfewer than required replies; limited interaction window.
• Prompt alignment: Misses key parts of the prompt.
• Course integration: Little to no specific course reference or anchoring ; concepts are named incorrectly or used vaguely.
• Evidence & analysis: Assertions lack support; examples are generic or off-topic.
• Writing quality: Noticeable organization/grammar problems; tone may be informal.
• Replies: Minimal or perfunctory; does not advance dialogue.
• Integrity:Citation practices weak; no AI transparency despite usage suspected (warning/penalty per policy).

2–3 points — Minimal

• Timeliness: Late and/or only nominal participation.
• Prompt alignment: Barely engages with the question.
• Course integration: No meaningful references to course materials.
• Evidence & analysis: Little to no reasoning; offtopic or repetitive content.
• Writing quality: Inappropriate tone or frequent errors that impede understanding.
• Replies: Missing or clearly perfunctory.
• Integrity: Questionable originality; likely AI-like generalities with no anchors.

0–1 points — Unacceptable

• No participation or plagiarized content(including uncredited AI generated text).
• Missing AI Transparency Note despite evidence of AI use.
• Fails to meet basic community standards(disrespectful language, academic dishonesty).

20% Weekly Quizzes (5%) & Final Exam (15%): Quizzes are typically multiple-choice and a maximum of 5 questions. These are just designed to make sure we are all earning the vocabulary/themes and able to apply them appropriately. The final exam will consist of short answer, vocabulary, and some content-related questions. There will also be an essay question which you will prepare in advance and paste into the exam.

20% Independent Project: One narrated virtual presentation on a topic in bioethics.

Please know that work posted beyond the week it is due will not be graded (without prior excused absence). This class does not have extra credit.

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

In order to explore this topic, we must first agree that this course will be a bit different than other courses. The topic demands your participation and your contributions. For that reason, your “presence” on the different forums is paramount to your success in this course, and I will use your participation in the discussion board to log your attendance. Engaging with your peer and our topics in the forums is central to this course. That is where most students create meaningful connections to our course content.

Our weeks run from Tuesday to Monday night this semester. Any participation in a forum after Monday night does not count toward the previous week. Since this is an accelerated course, missing even one week has a significant impact on your grade.

Missing & Late Work Policy

You have all assignments outlined or planned below so should be able to plan around any significant busy times in your own lives. As this is an online course, I need to be rather firm with deadlines – for both your benefit and mine. Any late work is automatically graded lower for every day it is late and will not be accepted a week past the due date. However, since we are all adults and realize that life does happen, know that if you do have a personal emergency you can always email me before the work is due. As a rule, late work is not graded without communication; there is no "extra credit" in this course as there are many ways to earn credit.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/student-support/accessibility-services/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity

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