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Unit outline_

BMRI5001: The Ethics of Neuroscience and Mental Health

Semester 2, 2024 [Distance education/intensive on campus] - Mallett Street, Sydney

This unit examines a range of ethical issues within neuroscience and mental health, and how our understanding of these issues is important for research, diagnosis, treatment, and policy making. Students will not only examine how contemporary scientific practices have ethical, social, cultural and legal implications, they will also examine how ethical, social, and cultural factors can affect our understanding of neuroscience and mental health, and the underlying assumptions of researchers in these fields. In doing this, they will synthesise and integrate knowledge from other areas of neuroscience and mental health. The course aspires to inform future decision-makers in health, public policy, clinical settings and academia of the unique contributions and skills that biomedical ethics provides to the fields of mental health and neuroscience. Topics may include the nature of psychiatric disorders and their relationship with prevailing social and cultural factors, the implications of new technology for treatment and enhancement, the philosophical basis of the concept of mental disorder, the extent to which neuroscience can or cannot help us understand and treat mental illnesses, the relationship between researchers and public understanding of the research, the relationship between power, the psychiatric profession, and the categorisation of patients, the complex relationship between morality, mental health and the law, and whether scientific research can help us answer philosophical questions.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Brain and Mind Science
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Eryn Werry, eryn.werry@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Online task Argument Summary
Summarise an argument from the required readings
2.5% Week 04
Due date: 25 Aug 2024 at 23:59
1-2 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Open peer commentaries
Written response to journal articles
15% Week 05
Due date: 01 Sep 2024 at 23:59
2 x 550 words
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7
Assignment Position Paper 1
Written response to scenario
30% Week 08
Due date: 22 Sep 2024 at 23:59
1700 words
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Online task Media Task
Find a relevant media article.
2.5% Week 10
Due date: 13 Oct 2024 at 23:59
Please refer to Canvas.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Position paper 2
Written response to scenario
30% Week 12
Due date: 27 Oct 2024 at 23:59
1700 words
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Tutorial quiz Weekly Quizzes
Weekly MCQ quizzes on the content of the readings worth 20% of your mark
20% Weekly Please refer to Canvas.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

  1. Weekly quizzes: Multiple choice quizzes will be posted on Canvas, drawing primarily from the required readings but occasionally also from the lecture content.   
  2. Argument summary: Summarise an argument by Nomy Arpaly, which appears in the required readings. Dot points are fine. 
  3. Media task: Find an article in the media that misrepresents a peer-reviewed study, and identify in what ways the media presentation misrepresented the original study.
  4. 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.
  5. 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. Students will argue for a position.

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:

Please refer to the Brain and Mind Centre Postgraduate Program Course Rules and Policies Canvas site: https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/12062/pages/course-rules-and-policies?module_item_id=666352

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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 02 Introduction to Ethics; Introduction to Neuroethics; Addiction and Responsibility Workshop (6 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Theoretical Assumptions and Causal Explanations; History of the DSM; Social Constructionist Accounts of Mental Illness; The Neuroscience of Ethics and Philosophy; Public Understanding of Neuroscience Workshop (6 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO6 LO7
Week 10 Neuroscience and the Law; Animal Brains and Research; Brain Death, Personal Identity and the Definition of Death Workshop (8 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance. Students are expected to attend 80% of classes either on campus or via Zoom. 
  • 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 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.

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

We value your feedback about any aspect of the unit of study and your experience as a student of Sydney Medical School. To help ensure our courses meet your needs and maintain a high standard, we welcome your feedback at any time and we ask you to complete the Unit of Study Survey at the end of the semester. You can also rate any component of the unit using our star rating system found at the bottom of many pages as you progress through the unit. Your ratings and comments are anonymous and specifying what you liked and didn’t like about any of the learning materials, assessment items, discussion forums, feedback etc will help us to target our improvement efforts. Please note that your participation in this unit of study permits de-identified information about your learning experience and interaction with learning resources to be used for the purpose of improving the student learning experience. New 2023 assessments include Weekly quizzes, Media task and Argument summary

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.