| Unit name | Medical Law |
|---|---|
| Unit code | LAWD20039 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Miss. Venter |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | University of Bristol Law School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
This unit examines important and contentious questions about the role of law in relation to patients’ rights and clinical practice. It provides a broad foundation to the rules and principles governing the authorisation of medical treatment: on what (legal and ethical) basis do we deem that patients should, or should not, be able to decide for themselves, and what justifies providing or withholding treatment? We will understand key sources of Medical Law, engage with scholarly critique, appreciate the broader social, political and economic context relevant to Medical Law, and consider the case for reform.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
Medical Law is an optional unit which draws on key knowledge and skills obtained from successfully completing Year 1. In particular, the study of Medical Law will build on prior learning from elements of the Law of Tort, Criminal Law, and Public Law. It also relates to units in Family Law (Year 2) and Child Law (Year 3) in relation to autonomous decision making. The emphasis on independent research and writing skills will help prepare you for the Independent Research Project in your Final Year.
An overview of content
This unit provides an introduction to the general principles of Medical Law and a detailed study of specific topics within the field. The core content includes: fundamental concepts of Medical Law and Ethics, capacity and consent to treatment, adults who lack capacity to consent, and consent in relation to children. We will then examine three specialist topics typically including (but not limited to): Mental Health Law and Policy, Abortion Law and Policy, Human Tissue and Organ Donation, Medical Law at the End of Life, Resource Allocation and Public Health.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
By successfully completing this unit you will have a good understanding of fundamental legal and ethical principles relevant to Medical Law. The lecture content, independent study and seminar based tasks will equip you with the skills to navigate key sources of Medical Law and enable you to consider a range of perspectives and have a more sophisticated understanding of the broader context which surrounds various medico-legal issues.
Learning Outcomes
If you successfully pass this unit you will be able to:
You will learn through a combination of lectures, whole group activities, independent study and seminar based tasks. You will develop an understanding of Medical Law and be able to formulate your own opinions on legal, theoretical and practical issues on particular topics. You will do this by reading key primary and secondary sources to prepare for seminars, access web-based further materials, and complete formative and summative assessments. Analytical skills will be developed through the study of primary sources of law, sources of professional regulation, guidance and policy documents, and secondary sources of literature. You will apply your knowledge and understanding and be able to plan and produce a research essay, demonstrating effective research skills, a capacity for independent thought, and clear written argumentation.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Independent study tasks and seminar activities will prepare you for the summative assessment. Seminar preparation will include essay style questions where you will be able to practise skills for researching, planning and writing research essays, with oral feedback provided in class. The formative assessment will require you to craft an introduction to an essay title and design a detailed essay plan. This will help prepare you for the summative assessment which will require you to write a 3,000 word research essay from a selection of titles provided.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Summative assessment will be through the completion of a single 3,000 word Coursework research essay from a selection of titles provided. This assessment will cover all of the intended learning outcomes of the unit.
When assessment does not go to plan:
When a student fails the unit and is eligible to resubmit the assessment, the unit will be reassessed on a like-for-like basis. The Board of Examiners will consider in the usual way all cases where a student has failed the summative assessment or has otherwise not completed it.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. LAWD20039).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
