The 20th Bioethics Summer Course

Course presentation

The 2Oth Bioethics Summer Course “Bioethics, Death, and Immortality” will take place July 4-8, 2022. The course will be taught in Italian and English, with simultaneous translation available in both languages. The course is organized by the Faculty of Bioethics in collaboration with the UNESCO Chair in Bioethics and Human Rights established at the Pontifical University Regina Apostolorum and the European University of Rome.

Description

This Summer Course will address the themes of human mortality and the aspiration to immortality in light of current bioethical issues. Death is a reality common to all of us. Philosophers have reflected on the question of suffering and our eventual demise over the centuries. Many cultures and religious traditions have also addressed the quest for immortality since time immemorial. Current debates about emerging technologies, health care costs, and transhumanism are more recent manifestations of these age-old bioethical questions.

Structure of the Course

The Course consists of lectures, question and answer sessions, seminars, film forums, and interactive group activities. Bioethics faculty members and other experts will participate as speakers and moderators of group dynamics. The course proposes an interdisciplinary study of the phenomenon of death and the search for immortality in order to promote knowledge and understanding of life span extension techniques, the benefits and risks involved in such techniques, and their impact on the vision of human nature today and for future generations. The course will offer participants the opportunity to acquire the necessary skills for the proper ethical evaluation of these cutting-edge technologies and effective guidance for wise use of these technologies in the context of the life sciences and the medical profession. In addition, the course will provide orientation for the use of this knowledge in the daily professional practice of those who work in the scientific, medical, political, legal, social, communication, or educational fields.

General Information

• The objectives of the course are especially important for doctors and health personnel; biologists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and psychotherapists; educators, especially secondary and high school teachers; priests, catechists and other agents of pastoral care; lawyers, jurists, journalists, communicators, and sociologists and all those who are interested in the cultural and social dynamics of the present day and wish to have an informed and critical perspective on the cutting edge issues in the ethics of biotechnology.
• Topics are covered by members of the Faculty of Bioethics and external experts from different countries.
• All participants in the full sessions will receive a certificate of attendance.
• Attendance is mandatory for 80% of the course to be eligible for a certificate of attendance (upon request).
• The webinar is worth 1 ECTS credit.
• Simultaneous translation is available in Italian and English.
• For other language groups, simultaneous translation will be offered if the number of students is greater than 10.

Academic Fees

The payment is made once the student has registered and according to the instructions that will be provided by e-mail. Payment can be made by credit card, bank transfer, or at the Athenaeum desk by appointment.