Jewish Law (301): Jewish Law and Practice – Medical Ethics

Location: 

Various; distance learning format

Length: 

120 hours (10 weeks).

Dates: 

October 2020 – Present.Instructional delivery format: Hybrid course/exam

Learner Outcomes: 

Upon successful completion of this learning experience, students will be able to: define the basis of making medical decisions based on ethical principles and Jewish law; compare and contrast differing views on how to navigate the application of Jewish law in the context of medical ethics and practice; analyze common modern health challenges through the lens of medical ethics and Jewish practice; identify and discuss ethical concepts and theories and apply those theories and concepts apply to medical issues; reconstruct and critically evaluate arguments; and think critically about how principles of Jewish law and ethics inform our interactions with technological advances in medical science. 

Instruction: 

This course has two main goals. The first is to become familiar with many of the practical challenges of medicine for a person dedicated to Halakhah or Jewish law. Medicine presents a variety of halakhic questions and difficulties that will be explored. The course is targeted to all students interested in the topic, not necessarily those considering a medical profession. Many of the issues will relate to medical professionals and many will relate to the roles of patients and their families. Topics include examination of medical decisions such as genetic testing, pregnancy and childbirth to end of life issues, and will familiarize students with a working knowledge of the medical and halachic issues they may encounter during a normal lifecycle.