Law School Module Details
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title CHILDREN, MEDICINE AND THE LAW
Code LAW543
Coordinator Dr A Alghrani
Law
A.Alghrani@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2018-19 Level 7 FHEQ Second Semester 20

Aims

.

  • Examine how the law responds to difficult ethical and practical questions about how society treats children, what rights (if any) children enjoy, and what rights and responsibilities we assume as parents.
  • To enable students to understand the impact of the law on child patients, their parents, practitioners and society;
  • To examine, appraise and analyse the meaning and role of ‘competence’ as it applies to children.
  • To examine, appraise and analyse the conflict between ‘medical paternalism and patient autonomy
  • To examine, appraise and analyse decision-making in different contexts including medical treatment and medical research.

 

Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate a detailed understanding of the law relating to decision making in medical law by, in relation to and on behalf of children/minors.

Explain and critically discuss the relative autonomy of children/minors at various stages of minority in the contexts of treatment and involvement in medical research.

Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the law relating to the treatment of the foetus and fetal tissue.

Demonstrate an ability to adopt a critical perspective to existing medical law and to identify areas that may be reformed.

Demonstrate the ability to research case law and examine judgments so as to be able to critically comment on case law.

Syllabus
1 
  • Disputes over the treatment of children
  • Abortion: Legal Issues 
  • Student presentations: Fetal tissue and using fetuses as research material
  • Treating (and not treating) Neonates 
  • Religion, treatment and minors
  • Disputes between healthcare professionals and minors
  • Adolescents consenting to treatment
  • Adolescents refusing treatment 

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Seminar - The students will participate in 12 two hour seminars. While these will be led by the module leader, student participation is encouraged through the use of allocated questions. The seminars will therefore be interactive and students will be expected to come having done some guided reading.

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours   24
The students will participate in 12 two hour seminars. While these will be led by the module leader, student participation is encouraged through the use of allocated questions. The seminars will therefore be interactive and students will be expected to come having done some guided reading.
        24
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 176
TOTAL HOURS 200

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Coursework  2500 words  Semester 2  50  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Coursework - Case Commentary 
Coursework  2500 words  Semester 2  50  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Coursework - Essay Notes (applying to all assessments) 1. A 2500 word case commentary For the first assessment, student will be required to write a case commentary on ONE case out of a choice of four. The cases selected will be from topics covered during the module. A case commentary is an extended analysis/commentary on a particular court case. It offers the student the opportunity not only to assess not only how a specific case was decided in court, but also (1) to survey the development of that area of the law represented by the selected case and (2) socio-political consequences of the decision. A case comment should therefore be regarded as a type of interpretative essay which focuses on a particular case, but which is not limited to a simple exposition of its details. 2. A 2500 word essay For the second assignment, students will be required to write ONE essay out of a choice of four questions on topics covered in the module. An essay is a piece of writing that objectively and critically explores, analyses or evaluates a particular issue or area of the law. Good essays contain balanced analysis, but they are also persuasive, using law and supported arguments to guide the reader to a conclusion.  

Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
Explanation of Reading List:

Other Staff Teaching on this Module
 

Modules for which this module is a pre-requisite:
 

Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):
None 

Co-requisite modules:
 

Programme(s) (including Year of Study) to which this module is available on a required basis:
None

Programme(s) (including Year of Study) to which this module is available on an optional basis:
All LLM Programmes, full and part time Programme: POIR Year 1

Additional Programme Information