ETH 257: Islamic Medical Ethics offers a comprehensive 14-week journey into the moral principles and ethical considerations underpinning healthcare practices in Islam. This course delves into the complexities of medical ethics from an Islamic perspective, exploring the balance between medical advancements and religious principles. Through examining the Quran, Hadith, classical Islamic jurisprudence, and contemporary bioethical discussions, students will engage with topics such as end-of-life care, reproductive health, organ donation, and medical confidentiality. The course aims to equip students with the knowledge to navigate the ethical dilemmas in healthcare, emphasizing compassion, dignity, and respect for life as guided by Islamic teachings.
Overall Objectives:
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Outline the foundational Islamic ethical principles related to health and medicine.
- Analyze key bioethical issues through the lens of Islamic jurisprudence.
- Evaluate the ethical dimensions of contemporary medical practices and technologies.
- Discuss the Islamic perspective on the sanctity of life, patient rights, and medical responsibility.
- Explore ethical decision-making processes in clinical settings from an Islamic viewpoint.
- Understand the Islamic stance on beginning-of-life and end-of-life issues.
- Examine the role of Muslim healthcare professionals in upholding ethical standards.
- Reflect on the ethical considerations of genetic testing, organ transplantation, and fertility treatments.
- Navigate the complexities of healthcare delivery in diverse and pluralistic societies.
- Engage with case studies that illustrate the application of Islamic medical ethics in real-world scenarios.
