COURSE DESCRIPTION 2012 2013

Mr. William Brisk,

2 credits day; 2 credits evening.

Medical advances can prolong lives, but when and how they are employed raises legal, financial, and policy issues. Determining whether end-of-life care should be provided or withdrawn is particularly complex because the American health system rations effectively scarce medical resources and because competing cultural, religious and ethical beliefs become involved. This course explores (1) the types of care (assisted living, nursing home, and hospice) available for elderly, newborns, or incapacitated patients and how they are regulated, (2) patients' rights to obtain or reject care, (3) standards and procedures for initiating and withdrawing treatment, (4) the roles of courts, Living Wills, Medical Directives, and Health Care Proxies in decision- making by surrogates, and (5) the debate over assisted suicide. Grades will be based on Class Participation 20%, Two short papers 20%, Activities 10%, Term Paper 50%.

Enrollment is limited: 20

Elective Course

Meets Health/Biomedical Concentration Requirements

Entertainment Law