BMRI5001: Semester 2, 2021

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Units BMRI5001 Semester 2 2021 [Block mode]

Unit of study_

BMRI5001: Neuroethics

Semester 2, 2021 [Block mode] - Remote

Overview

This unit of study synthesizes and critically scruitinizes our models and concepts of brain and mind through a neuroethics lens. Neuroethics is subfield of bioethics that is concerned with the ethical, legal and social impact of the neurosciences. Beginning with a series of lectures on the historical development of modern neuroscience, students will learn about (1) the beliefs, experiments and discoveries that have led us to recognise how the brain contributes to the human experience in unique ways, and (2) the philosophical and ethical debates that have arisen as a result of progress in neuroscience. Throughout this unit, students will examine how advances in neuroscience have shaped how we conduct research, treat clinical conditions, make individual and collective decisions, and live together as a society. During the class discussions and assessments, students will grapple with the issues that arise when we intervene in the brain and how those interventions modify our concepts of health, illness, identity and morality. The scope of these issues is enormous and speaks to the importance of students developing a clear framework to contextualize developments in neuroscience within the scientific, ethical, cultural, social and legal environments in which they arise.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	BMRI5001
Academic unit	Brain and Mind Science
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Adam Piovarchy, adam.piovarchy@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Participation	Participation in class discussions Tutorial discussion	5%	Ongoing	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Open peer commentaries Written response to journal articles	25%	Week 04	1,100 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Position paper 1 Written response to scenario	35%	Week 08	1700 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Position paper 2 Written response to scenario	35%	Week 12	1700 words
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Participation in class discussions: Each class, discussion activities will be integrated into the lectures in order to further engage with the material presented and readings.
Open peer commentaries: Two academic journal articles will be assigned to students for reading. Students will then be asked to prepare a 550 word response to each article.
Position Papers: Students will choose one of the scenarios prepared by the unit coordinator that present an application of neuroscience that is ethically, socially or legally challenging. Paper 1 will define and defend an initial stance, while Paper 2 will defend the opposite stance.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

See Canvas for exact assessment due dates and times.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 02	1. Welcome and Background + Introduction to Neuroethics 2. Introduction to Ethics 3. Addiction and Responsibility Discussion 4. Ethical and Social Issues With Enhancement	Workshop (6 hr)
Week 06	1. Neuroconcepts, Assumptions and Explanations Task - Article Analysis 2. History of the DSM and Social Constructionist Accounts of Mental Illness 3. Sociological Concerns presented by Neuroscience 4. The Neuroscience of Philosophy 5. Public Understanding of Neuroscience 6. Hospitalisation and the Use of Constraints	Workshop (8 hr)
Week 10	1. Critical Psychiatry and Community Mental Health 2. Public Mental Health Ethics 3. Lived Experience, Consumer Movements and Co-Production 4. Neurolaw	Workshop (8 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance. Students are expected to attend 80% of classes either on campus or via Zoom. Due interruptions caused by Covid 19 for Semester 2 2021 attendance records will not be kept.
Passing the course. Students must earn an average mark of at least 50% for the unit as a whole by passing their assessments.
Academic honesty. Academic honesty must be demonstrated in all forms of assessment. Similarity detection software (i.e. Turnitin) will be used for all submitted written work.

Please refer to our Course Rules and Policies: https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/12062/pages/course-rules-and-policies?module_item_id=666352

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library Reading List, available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. discuss brain and mind function within a historical, philosophical and ethical context
LO2. explain the impacts of key neuroscience innovations of the last century on concepts of brain and mind function
LO3. critique claims regarding the benefits and harms of neuroscience for understanding brain and mind function, and psychological capacities
LO4. examine how society and culture influence central concepts in brain and mind sciences
LO5. determine ethical issues that arise from the use of neurotechnology in research and clinical contexts
LO6. analyse broader implications of neuroscience in social and legal contexts
LO7. debate appropriate uses of neurotechnology in clinical, social and legal contexts.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Additional information

Help and Resources - Brain and Mind Centre Postgraduate Program

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

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