Admission requirements
Propedeuse obtained
Description
Contemporary biotechnological practices (such as genetic modification) that involve manipulation of living beings present a challenge to traditional notions of nature and the human body. This is particularly true of synthetic biology, a form of bioengineering which includes both the design and construction of new biological parts, devices, and systems and the re-designing of existing natural biological systems. These developments pose pressing and urgent questions. Firstly, who has the right to re-design life? This is ultimately a question of legal and moral ownership and of the commodification of life and nature. Secondly, do we, as a society, think it is necessary to re-design life, and if so, how do we want to re-design nature and the human body? What limits do we wish to impose on biotechnological innovation involving nature and the human body? And what notion of 'being human' or human dignity and of nature are these limits based on?
The opportunities and possibilities of biotechnology challenge us to seek new approaches to the ethical, cultural, juridical and economic issues relating to biotechnological practices. The starting point of this course is that biotechnology is testing accepted ethical and aesthetic values concerning the human body and nature to such an extent that we need multiple perspectives in our search for a theoretical and practical position on new biotechnological challenges and developments. In particular, we will consider the contribution of art in this debate. We will discuss how artworks that engage with biotechnological practices enable the artist and the beholder to actively experiment with new ways of being, behaving and constituting subjectivities in relation to biotechnological developments.
Course objectives
Describe key ethical issues in biotechnology and its products;
Describe key historical and cultural issues in biotechnology and its products;
Identify individual and social barriers that play a role in the application of biotechnological innovations;
Identify various perspectives and values in the public debate surrounding biotechnology;
Reflect upon the role of the industry and the entrepreneur in addressing ethical issues regarding a biotechnological product;
Develop debating skills and critical reading skills.
Timetable
Mode of instruction
Course Load
Hands-on workshops, expert lectures, group presentations
112 total hours of study:
Time spent on attending seminars: 18 hours
Time spent for studying the compulsory literature: 39 hours
Time to prepare debate sessions: 22 hours
Time to write paper: 33 hours
Assessment method
Assessment
During our course, we will be contacting 3 debate sessions on contemporary bioethical issues. All students will be assigned in groups, you will stay in the same group throughout the course. However, we will be rotating debate panels and jury panels across sessions.
At the end of the course you also will need to hand in an individual written paper (2000 words).
Weighing
Final grade: 40% group assignment + 60% written paper
The final grades for the group assignments and for the paper should all be 5,0 or higher. Together they should be a 6,0 or higher to pass the course
Resit
The students are allowed one re-sit per examination. It is not allowed to re-sit an examination or assignment for which they have received a pass (6,0 or higher). It is allowed to re-sit an examination or assignment which they haven't done during the first occasion. The re-sit format needs to be discussed with the teacher of the course in line with examination regulations.
In case the student is granted an extra re-sit by the Board of Examiners, this re-sit has to take place within study year 2017-2018. This means the students have to complete the minor within one study year.
Exam Review
Attendance
All students have to be present in all modules, including the Skill Labs. The teachers and the minor coordinator have to be notified in advance for the absences.
For each absence, students have to do an assignment. The students who are absent more than twice will not pass the module.
Blackboard
In this course, Blackboard is used to present course information, notify you of changes to the course and to make course materials available.
Reading list
Scientific and professional papers and teaching cases, to be provided or indicated via Blackboard.
Registration
You register for the whole minor and for each individual course in uSis.
Contact
If you have questions, please contact Lotte Pet at l.pet@hum.leidenuniv.nl