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 is part of the Integrated Course (I.C.) 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, reflect critically on themselves, and act responsibly based on ethical and professional principles.

The Integrated Course B9090 SOFT SKILLS contributes to the achievement of the following ESEVT Day One Competences: 1.1, 1.4, 1.6, 1.11, 1.12.

The syllabus of the teaching unit B9260 ETICA E RAPPORTO UOMO-ANIMALE NELLA PRATICA VETERINARIA is structured as follows:

Theoretical section (2h):

• Different scenarios of animal use and the related ethical aspects will be summarized, using the main ethical frameworks (utilitarianism, animal rights, respect for nature, relational, contractarian).

Practical section (8h):

• Assessment of owns’ ethical position: a structured test will be used to allow students to self-assess their perception with respect to ethical dilemmas in animal use (2h);
• Presentation and discussion of an ethical case on animals used for food production (2h);
• Presentation and discussion of an ethical case on animals used in research (2h);
• Presentation and discussion of an ethical case on veterinary responsibility, companion animals or wildlife (2h).

Readings/Bibliography

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

Required reading/studying materials for the preparation of the exam: teaching slides shown in class and provided on the Virtuale platform (https://virtuale.unibo.it/?lang=en).

Supplementary readings for specific insights (books available in the Ercolani library):

• Mullan, S., & Fawcett, A. (2017). Veterinary ethics: navigating tough cases (pp. 1-5). Sheffield: 5M Publishing.
• Rollin, Bernard E. An introduction to veterinary medical ethics: theory and cases. John Wiley & Sons, 2013.
  

Websites:

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

Teaching methods

The course includes both theoretical lectures and practical sessions.

Teaching methods:

• In-person teaching and discussion
• Structured and guided peer discussions
• Role play (if possible, due to the number of students)
• Individual/group assignments on case analysis and discussion

Students with disabilities or special needs requiring adaptations, accommodations, and modifications to the examination should express their needs to the teacher at the beginning of the course and/or contact the UNIBO service for students with special needs (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en).

Assessment methods

Integrated course exam

This course unit is part of the Integrated Course (I.C.) B09090 -SOFT SKILLS. The examination will be carried out for the entire I.C. and will include all the modules part of the I.C. In order to pass the exam, the student will need to achieve the sufficiency threshold (approx. 60%, i.e., 18/30) in each of the course units. If one or more thresholds are not met, the Candidate will need to repeat the whole exam.

Exam structure and evaluation for the course unit B9260 - ETICA E RAPPORTO UOMO-ANIMALE NELLA PRATICA VETERINARIA

The exam will be a written test lasting 30 minutes and structured aa follows:

• a Short Essay (SE) question. Students will be asked to briefly analyse a practical case based on one or more different ethical profiles and provide recommendations or draw a possible course of action.
• four Multiple Choice (MC) questions with one correct answer over four possible choices.

The final grade of the course unit will be expressed on a 18-30L scale, according to the following evaluation scheme:

• 18-19: with some help from the teacher, the student can recall the main ethical aspects of the scenario presented.
• 20-24: the student shows knowledge of the ethical aspects and can autonomously analyse the scenario presented, using an overall correct language.
• 25-29: the student expresses a reasoned judgement of the ethical aspects of the scenarios proposed and how they align with one of the main ethical frameworks, using specific examples and the appropriate technical language.
• 30-30L: the student can make connections and contrasts across different ethical frameworks, discuss and argue their answers, and critically assess the presented scenarios, properly using terminology and bibliographic sources. The Candidate can propose a reasoned course of action.

The results of the written exam will be published within 5 working days on the Virtuale Learning Environment (https://virtuale.unibo.it/?lang=en) by the designated course contact.

Final grade of the Integrated Course, registration and other useful information

The exam is considered passed only if all parts are successfully completed. The final grade is determined by averaging the scores of the two assessments. A minimum final grade of 18/30 is required. Negative results are not graded numerically but recorded as “withdrawn” or “failed” in the electronic transcript on AlmaEsami, and do not affect the student’s academic record.

Students can register for the exam through the online AlmaEsami platform (http://almaesami.unibo.it/). Exams are scheduled during the designated periods in the academic calendar. Additional sessions are available for students beyond the standard program duration.

Grades for individual parts and the final grade will be published on the Virtuale Learning Environment (https://virtuale.unibo.it/?lang=en) by the designated course contact within 5 working days from the exam.

In case of failure, the exam may be retaken after a minimum of three weeks. In accordance with Unibo teaching regulations, Article 16, Paragraph 5, students are entitled to refuse a passing grade on one occasion. This should be done by informing the course examiner via email within 5 working days from the exam. The designated course contact for this course is [TO BE CONFIRMED].

In compliance with Law 104/1992 and Law 170/2010, and in alignment with institutional inclusion policies, students with certified disabilities or specific learning disorders—as well as those with recognized special educational needs—will receive appropriate accommodations during assessments. Such students should promptly contact the course instructor and inform the University’s Disability and SLD Support Service (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en). A faculty member is appointed to oversee this service within the Department (https://scienzemedicheveterinarie.unibo.it/it/dipartimento/organizzazione/referenti-istituzionali).

Teaching tools

• Teaching slides, integrated with online polls (Wooclap)
• Videos, online sources, and reading sources
• Collaborative online tools (Whiteboard, Miro boards) for brainstorming
• In case of difficulty understanding the course content, the instructor is available for clarification meetings, which must be scheduled via email.

Teaching materials are available on the Virtuale platform and could be reached through the link on the teacher webpage.

Office hours

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

Office hours

See the website of Eleonora Nannoni