Module: SRE5102-20 Ethics, Religion and Humanism

Level: 5

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Russell Re Manning

Module Tutor Contact Details: r.remanning@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

This module will investigate contemporary ethical questions and moral dilemmas from a wide range of cultural, religious and humanist perspectives. The purpose of the module is to acquaint you with some theories, methods and problems in ethical and philosophical thinking. By analysing specific moral issues, the module will explore attitudes to ‘self’ and personhood in religious traditions and the importance of moral responsibility in human action focusing on at least one eastern (e.g. Buddhism) and one western (e.g. Christianity) religious tradition in addition to exploring humanist perspectives. Moral issues related to selected contemporary topics such as human rights, abortion, euthanasia, ecological crisis will be discussed cross-culturally while taking into account the role of ethics in business and bio-ethics. You will be encouraged to think critically and argue for and against conflicting ethical positions.

It aims to:

• Provide insights into the richness and variety of cross-cultural ethical perspectives;

• Foster understanding of ethical, religious and secular humanist concepts and relevant disputes;

• Encourage serious and sustained engagement with and evaluation of ethical reasoning in religious and humanist traditions; and

• Stress the applicability of ethical knowledge and skills to different tasks and settings.

2.Outline syllabus

The module will include: an introduction to humanist ethics and to a variety of ethical approaches such as virtue ethics; an examination of at least two religious traditions—one eastern (e.g. Buddhism), one western (e.g. Christianity) in relation to the significance of the notion of self for ethical responsibility; discussions on contemporary topics that have been the focus of ethical debates such as euthanasia, abortion and human rights; discussions on bio-ethics, business ethics, sexual ethics, ethics of war and environmental ethics.

3.Teaching and learning activities

Learning is facilitated by (i) interactive lectures and (ii) student-led seminars. The formal teaching session led by the tutor may include viewing relevant films and documentaries. Lectures will introduce major ethical, religious and humanist approaches and debates. Seminars will provide a forum for developing ethical arguments with regard to the topics selected for discussion and for further engagement with issues raised in lectures. You will be expected to do some preparatory reading and thinking following the guidance in the module handbook, to engage actively with lectures and contribute fully to seminars.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Essay (2,000 words)

• % Weighting: 40%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Individual Project (3,000 words)

• % Weighting: 60%