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Health Law: Bioethics

Typically offered every other year

This course explores the intersection of law and ethics in the fields of medicine and public health. The primary focus is patient control of medical decisionmaking, particularly as it relates to life-sustaining treatment, organ donation, reproductive choices, and public health regulation. A central theme is the conflict between patients’ interests and interests of others and/or societal interests. The course also addresses legal and policy issues regarding access to care and the rationing of limited medical resources.

Evaluation will be by attendance, class participation, a series of short writing assignments, and a research paper. Students may satisfy either the WIE or Capstone requirement with satisfactory completion of all coursework.

The American Bar Association accreditation standards require students to regularly attend the courses in which they are registered. Lewis & Clark expects students to attend classes regularly and to prepare for classes conscientiously. Specific attendance requirements may vary from course to course. Any attendance guidelines for a given class must be provided to students in a syllabus or other written document at the start of the semester. Sanctions (e.g., required withdrawal from the course, grade adjustment, and/or a failing grade) will be imposed for poor attendance.