Neuroethics

We shall consider, for example, the ethical questions about privacy and the prediction of behaviour raised by neuroimaging, and some of the ways in which neuroimaging promises to change the way we treat patients with severe brain damage, with special focus on issues relating to disorders of consciousness. We shall also examine the concept of ‘neurodiversity’ and whether conditions such as autism should be regarded as disorders or merely as valuable differences.

We shall then turn to consider the ethical issues relating to particular types of neural interventions (such as psychopharmaceutics, neurofeedback, non-invasive brain stimulation and deep brain stimulation) and controversial applications of them (for example, to alter mood or cognition, or to facilitate the rehabilitation of criminal offenders), and neuroprosthetic technology that records and decodes activity directly from the brain to provide commands to external devices, including devices that synthesise speech.

Finally, we will turn to examine potential ways in which work on the neuroscience of moral decision-making may change the practice of practical ethics. We shall consider, in particular, whether neuroscientific research might challenge the common reliance on moral intuitions or even directly support important ethical conclusions, and whether it can be used to identify biases in, and limits to, current moral thinking.

This course consists of an intensive teaching week in Oxford to include lectures, seminars, discussion groups and student presentations.

The teaching week will be fully supported online via a Virtual Learning Environment to include essential readings, texts and online lectures. Students can continue discussions when away from Oxford using the online forums.

Students will also have access to:

• Oxford's Libraries online learning resources

• Facilities available at the Department for Continuing Education:
  • Graduate Room with study space, printing facilities, lockers and refreshments
  • Library 
  • Computer resource room
  • Common room and bar
  • Dining room

Assessment for each module will be based on a written assignment, which shall not be of more than 3,500 words.

This course can be taken with or without academic credit. All participants who satisfy the course requirements will receive a Certificate of Attendance. Those opting to take the course for credit and successfully complete an assignment will also receive 20 CATS points at FHEQ Level 7 (postgraduate). Credit points are recognised by many employers and universities in the UK and internationally.

• Applicants are normally expected to be predicted or have achieved a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent international qualifications), as a minimum, in any subject.
• However, in the absence of an appropriate undergraduate degree, sufficient relevant professional experience and/or other educational attainment may be considered as evidence of suitability in some circumstances.
• For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA normally sought is 3.6 out of 4.0.
• Applicants will need to have a good working knowledge of email, internet, word processing and Windows applications (for communications with course members, course team and administration).
• Where applicable, applicants will need to provide evidence of proficiency in English at the higher level required by the University.

If you hold non-UK qualifications and wish to check how your qualifications match these requirements, you can contact the National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC).