Module: PET5010-20 Ethics in the Contemporary World

Level: 5

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: TBC

Module Tutor Contact Details: TBC

1. Brief description and aims of module:

This module will investigate contemporary ethical questions and moral dilemmas from a range of philosophical and religious perspectives. The purpose of the module is to develop engagement with theories, methods and problems in ethical and philosophical thinking. By analysing specific moral issues, the module will explore attitudes to ‘self’ and personhood in philosophical and religious traditions and the importance of moral responsibility in human action. Moral issues related to selected contemporary topics, such as technology, information, families, punishment, migration, violence and race, will be considered. You will be encouraged to think critically and argue for and against conflicting ethical positions.

It aims to:

• provide insights into philosophical and religiously situated ethical perspectives;

• foster understanding of applied real world ethical issues;

• encourage serious and sustained personal engagement with and evaluation of ethical reasoning; and

• apply skills of ethical argument and debate in real world settings.

2. Outline syllabus:

This module will combine engagement with theoretical perspectives on ethics from a range of philosophical and religious traditions with discussion of a range of applied real world ethical issues.

Students will also develop their own self-reflective personal engagement with ethical debates.

3. Teaching and learning activities:

Teaching will take place through a series of two-hour interactive workshops, combining tutor-led and student-led elements.

These are supplemented by tutorials to assist in planning assessed work.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Critical Review (2000 words) (a critical evaluation of philosophical perspectives on an ethical issue)

• % Weighting: 40%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Moral debate with reflective commentary (3000 words equiv.)

• % Weighting: 60%