Vulnerability in Childhood -- from Ethics to Advocacy

3 Credits.

Introduces students to the concept of vulnerability from an interdisciplinary lens of ethics, philosophy, medicine, and public health. Discusses how special protections for vulnerable populations can impact research and clinical care at the individual and population level. Presents examples of vulnerable populations of children (eg. children with medical complexity, children in foster care, transgender youth) in order to illustrate relevant ethical challenges faced by vulnerable populations. Introduces students to written media (eg. op-ed, letter to the editor) as a tool to advocate for vulnerable children.