Units / APG5730
APG5730 · Bioethics, public policy, and the law
2026 Handbook12 credit pointsLevel 5Monash Bioethics Centre
Last checked: 23 Aug 2026 UTCOverview
In this unit, you will examine issues that arise in public healthcare policy and law, and how these relate to ethics. You will explore the formulation and creation of law and policy for controversial health-related issues in democratic pluralistic societies such as Australia. You will examine concepts such as: autonomy and harm, moral pluralism, the role of public opinion in policy formation, collective action problems and healthcare resource allocation. Healthcare issues to be considered may include topics such as voluntary assisted dying legislation, the availability of organs for transplant, reproductive technology policy, mandatory vaccination, and the governance of food.
Areas of study: Bioethics
Offerings
| Campus | Teaching period | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Clayton | First semester | Some activities have a choice of on-campus or online teaching activities (FLEXIBLE) |
| Clayton | First semester | Teaching is all online (ONLINE) |
Assessment
The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.
| # | Assessment | Type | Weight | Hurdle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exercise/s | Exercise | 20% | — |
| 2 | Analytical exercise | Exercise | 25% | — |
| 3 | Research task | Written | 15% | — |
| 4 | Essay | Written | 40% | — |
Within semester assessment: 100%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Requisites
The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.
Learning outcomes
- Explain how moral values relate to the regulation of healthcare practices and health-related public policy;
- Critically evaluate policies and laws associated with the regulation of healthcare and health behaviour;
- Establish your own reasoned conclusions regarding the ethical aspects of healthcare regulation and health-related public policy;
- Use well-developed research skills to undertake rigorous, in-depth analysis of current bioethical issues.
Workload
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 288 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.
| Activity | Duration |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 12 hours |
| Tutorials | 30 hours |
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