Dr David Hunter1
1University Of Adelaide
In this paper I describe one strategy that I use to deal with a common engagement issue in teaching applied ethics to students who are studying to become a member of a profession. This issue is that in early years of their courses they are focused on cramming as much clinical and basic anatomical knowledge into their brains as possible – and they view topics like ethics as extras rather than core to their future as professionals. By drawing from students in later years of their own course and using these cases explicitly with students in preclinical years I send the message that these issues are deeply relevant to them since in a few years time it could be them facing these issues.
This drives engagement and interest as well as the possibility of growth of their understanding as they come the see the cases as describing real people just like them.
Biography:
David Hunter is a political philosopher who is based in the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Adelaide. His focuses are teaching ethics, research ethics, public health ethics and the ethics of regulating human behaviour