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Education :
Ph.D. Georgetown University 1999
BA Wells College 1986Professional Appointments :
Williams College, Department of Philosophy, 2002-present
Union College and Graduate College of Union University, Center for Bioethics and Clinical Leadership, 2002-present
Indiana University, Department of Philosophy and Poynter Center for the Study of Ethics and American Institutions, 1998-2002
Miami University, Department of Philosophy, 1995-1997Areas of Interest :
Bioethics
Ethics
Feminist Ethics and Theory
- Bioethics (Phil 213)
- Ethics and Reproductive Technologies (Phil/WGST 212)
- Death and Dying (Phil 227)
- Feminist Bioethics (Phil/WGST 228)
- Case-Based Reasoning in Ethics (WSP)
WGST 212 Ethics and Reproductive Technologies (Same as Philosophy 212) (Not offered 2003-2004; to be offered 2004-2005) (W)
In her groundbreaking book, The Tentative Pregnancy, Barbara Katz Rothman writes that "[t]he technological revolution in reproduction is forcing us to confront the very meaning of motherhood, to examine the nature and origins of the mother-child bond, and to replace-or to let us think we can replace-chance with choice." Taking this as our starting point, in this course we'll examine a number of conceptual and ethical issues in the use and development of technologies related to human reproduction, drawing out their implications for such core concepts as "motherhood" and "parenthood," family and genetic relatedness, exploitation and commodification, and reproductive rights and society's interests in reproductive activities. Topics will range from consideration of "mundane" technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), prenatal genetic screening and testing, and surrogacy, to the more extraordinary, including pre-implantation diagnosis (PID), post-menopausal reproduction, post-mortem gamete procurement, reproductive cloning and embryo splitting, and in utero medical interventions. Background readings include sources rooted in traditional modes of bioethical analysis as well as those incorporating feminist approaches. Format: discussion. Requirements: active participation in class discussions, short weekly reflection papers, and two longer papers (app. 10 pp). No prerequisites; but introductory-level course in Philosophy and/or Women's and Gender Studies highly recommended. Enrollment limit: 19 (expected: 19). Preference given to Women's and Gender Studies majors and concentrators.
J. PEDRONIPHIL 227(F) Death and Dying (W)
In this course we will examine traditional philosophical approaches to understanding death and related concepts, with a special focus on the ethical concerns surrounding death and care for the dying. We will begin with questions about how to define death, as well as reflections on its meaning and function in human life. We will move on to examine ethical issues of truth-telling with terminally ill patients and their families, decisions to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatments, the care of seriously ill newborns, physician-assisted suicide, euthanasia, and research efforts to extend the human life-span. In addition to key concepts of death, dying, and terminal illness, we will develop and refine notions of medical futility, paternalism and autonomy, particularly within the context of advance directives and surrogate decision making. Format: lecture/discussion. Requirements: active participation in class discussions, two mid-length papers (7-10 pp), and weekly short writing assignments (2 pp.). Possible experiential learning component. No prerequisites. Enrollment limit: 19 (expected: 10-19).
J. PEDRONIPHIL 228(S) Feminist Bioethics (Same as Women's and Gender Studies 228) (W)
In this course we'll explore the ways in which feminist approaches to moral thinking have influenced both the methodology and the content of contemporary bioethics. The first portion of the course will address the emergence of the "Ethics of Care," critically assessing its origins in feminist theory, its development within the context of the caring professions, and its potential as a general approach to bioethical reasoning. The second portion of the course will use feminist philosophy to inform our understanding of the ways in which gender structures the individual's interactions with the health care system. To do this, we'll explore topics that might traditionally be considered "women's issues" in health care, such as medicine and body image (e.g., cosmetic surgery, eating disorders), reproductive and genetic technologies, and research on women and their health care needs. In addition we'll also look at feminist analyses of topics that traditionally haven't been identified as particularly gender specific, such as resource allocation and end of life issues. Format: lecture/discussion. Requirements: active participation in class discussions, two mid-length papers (7-10 pp. each), and weekly short writing assignments (app. 2 pp. each). No prerequisites, although previous coursework in Women's and Gender Studies is desirable. Enrollment limit: 19 (expected: 8-10). Preference given to Women's and Gender Studies and Philosophy majors.
J. PEDRONI
