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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 Determining whether end-of-life care should be provided or withdrawn is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