B9260 - Ethics and the Human-Animal Relationship in Veterinary Practice

Learning outcomes

He/she knows the main sources of ethical dilemmas in the veterinary profession, understand their rationale, and can identify them when a position on ethical issues is expressed (e.g., in a text or video). Is able to classify and self-assess his/her own perception regarding ethical dilemmas related to the use of animals in different contexts.

Course contents

This course unit is part of the Integrated Course "B9090 – Soft Skills".

Upon completion of the Integrated Course "Soft Skills", students understand the principles of effective communication, teamwork, leadership and ethical dilemmas in the veterinary profession. They understand the historical development of Veterinary Medicine and its role in society and are able to use digital tools, critically reflect on themselves and their professional practice, and act responsibly in accordance with ethical and professional principles.

The Integrated Course contributes to the achievement of the following ESEVT Day One Competences: 1.1, 1.4, 1.6, 1.11 and 1.12.

The specific contents of the course are organised as follows.

Lectures (2 hours)

• Overview of the main contexts in which animals are used and the related ethical dilemmas, introducing the principal ethical frameworks applied to veterinary practice: utilitarianism, animal rights, respect for nature, relational ethics and contractarianism.

Practical sessions (8 hours)

• Self-assessment of students' ethical perspectives through a structured questionnaire designed to encourage reflection on ethical dilemmas in the human–animal relationship (2 hours).
• Analysis and discussion of an ethical case involving animals used for food production (2 hours).
• Analysis and discussion of an ethical case involving companion animals (2 hours).
• Analysis and discussion of an ethical case involving animals used in research or wildlife (2 hours).

Readings/Bibliography

The teaching materials for this course are available on the Virtuale Learning Environment (https://virtuale.unibo.it/?lang=en).

Required study material

• Teaching slides provided during the course and made available on the Virtuale Learning Environment.

Supplementary reading

• Mullan, S., & Fawcett, A. (2017). Veterinary Ethics: Navigating Tough Cases. Sheffield: 5M Publishing.
• Rollin, B. E. (2013). An Introduction to Veterinary Medical Ethics: Theory and Cases. John Wiley & Sons.

Online resources

• Animal Ethics Dilemma: http://www.aedilemma.net/home

Teaching methods

The course combines theoretical lectures and practical sessions designed to foster active participation, ethical reasoning and critical discussion. Students are encouraged to analyse complex situations from multiple perspectives and justify their conclusions using recognised ethical frameworks.

Teaching methods include:

• In-person lectures and guided discussions.
• Structured peer discussions.
• Role-playing activities (where feasible, depending on class size).
• Individual and group analysis and discussion of ethical case studies.

Students with disabilities and/or specific learning disorders (SLD) who require accommodations for teaching activities are encouraged to contact the instructor at the beginning of the course and/or the University Service for Students with Disabilities and SLD to discuss appropriate support measures (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en).

Assessment methods

Integrated Course examination:

This course unit is part of the Integrated Course B9090 – Soft Skills. The examination is held in a single session and includes all course units of the Integrated Course.

To pass the examination, students must achieve the minimum passing threshold (approximately 60%, corresponding to 18/30) in each course unit of the Integrated Course. If one or more course units do not reach the minimum passing threshold, the entire Integrated Course examination must be repeated.

Structure of the examination for B9260 – Ethics and the Human–Animal Relationship in Veterinary Practice (5.5 points out of 30; minimum passing score: 3.3 points):

The assessment consists of a 10-minute written examination designed to evaluate students' ability to recognise, analyse and discuss the main ethical dilemmas encountered in veterinary practice.

The examination includes:

• one short essay (open-ended) question (2.5 points), requiring students to analyse a case study using one or more ethical frameworks and to identify similarities and differences between them;
• three multiple-choice questions (1 point each), requiring students to match a statement with the appropriate ethical framework.

No supporting materials or electronic devices are permitted during the examination.

If a student achieves a borderline result in only one course unit of the Integrated Course, the instructor may, depending on the nature of the errors, offer a brief follow-up discussion to verify whether the expected learning outcomes of that course unit have been achieved.

Assessment criteria

• 18–19: the student is able to identify the main ethical aspects of the proposed scenarios.
• 20–24: the student demonstrates a sound knowledge of the main ethical frameworks and is able to analyse the proposed scenarios independently, using generally appropriate terminology.
• 25–29: the student provides well-reasoned evaluations of the ethical aspects of the proposed scenarios, critically comparing them with one or more ethical frameworks and using discipline-specific terminology appropriately.
• 30–30 with honours: the student critically integrates different ethical frameworks, justifies their conclusions, evaluates the proposed scenarios and, when appropriate, proposes a reasonable course of action, making appropriate use of discipline-specific terminology and relevant literature.

The examination results are published within five working days on AlmaEsami by the designated course contact.

Final grade of the Integrated Course:

The Integrated Course is passed only if all course units are successfully completed during the same examination session.

The final grade, expressed out of 30, corresponds to the sum of the scores obtained in the different components of the examination. A minimum final grade of 18/30 is required.

Negative results are not graded numerically but are recorded in AlmaEsami as "withdrawn" or "failed" and do not affect the student's academic record.

The examination is recorded by the designated contact, Professor Annamaria Grandis.

Students can register for examinations through the AlmaEsami platform. Examination sessions are scheduled according to the Academic Calendar, with additional sessions available for students beyond the standard duration of the programme.

The results of the individual course units and the final grade are published within five working days of the examination.

In case of failure, the examination may be retaken after a minimum of three weeks.

In accordance with the University Teaching Regulations (Article 16, paragraph 5), students may refuse a passing grade on one occasion by notifying the Chair of the Examination Board via email within five working days of the publication of the results.

Students with disabilities and/or specific learning disorders (SLD) are invited to contact the University Service for Students with Disabilities and SLD (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as early as possible so that appropriate accommodations can be proposed. Requests for examination accommodations must be submitted to the instructor at least 15 days before the examination date. The instructor will assess the appropriateness of the requested accommodations in relation to the learning outcomes of the course.

Use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). During the assessment, the use of generative AI tools is not permitted. Any unauthorised use constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

Teaching tools include:

• lecture slides integrated with interactive Wooclap polls to promote active participation and self-assessment;
• videos, selected online resources and supplementary reading materials;
• collaborative online platforms, such as Whiteboard, to support brainstorming and group activities;
• generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, which may be used as optional support for individual study, for example to compare ethical frameworks, explore alternative perspectives on ethical dilemmas and prepare self-assessment questions. Students are expected to critically evaluate AI-generated content and verify it against the course materials and recommended references.

All teaching materials are available on the Virtuale Learning Environment, accessible through the link provided on the instructor’s webpage.

Students are encouraged to contact the instructor by email to arrange individual meetings for further clarification or discussion of course topics.

Office hours

See the webpage of Eleonora Nannoni:
https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/eleonora.nannoni2/en

Office hours

See the website of Eleonora Nannoni