Course overview - Study Period 1 and 2
During the first study period: Learners will be introduced to the concept of ethics and morality. They will explore some moral dilemmas, and consider how human beings make moral choices. They will consider the concept of the sanctity of life, crime and punishment, and the nature of evil.
During the second study period: Learners will further develop their understanding of the sanctity of life, by studying the ethics and morality of war and peace, and medical ethics. They will consider what leads some people to wage war, and what leads some people to become pacifists and refuse to engage in violence. They will also look at various aspects of medical ethics that relate to the concept of the sanctity of life, including fertility treatments, abortion, genetic manipulation, and euthanasia.
Key Concept:
How can we tell right from wrong? Why is life special?
Assessment Points:
Regular assessments of subject matter and knowledge retention using Google Forms; formative assessment of analytical writing; summative end-of-module assessments for each study period - a combination of short-answer knowledge-based questions and analytical questions requiring longer, more detailed explanations.
Guidance:
1:1 interaction
Feedback on analytical and evaluative answers - “What Went Well” and “Even Better If…”
Google Form assessments will be marked, and learners will be guided to focus on answers they missed.
Key Vocabulary:
Ethics
Morality
Altruism
Egoism
Moral Absolute
Appeal to Authority
Laissez-faire
Utilitarianism
Sanctity of life
Natural evil
Moral evil
Nature vs Nurture Debate
Capital punishment
Corporal Punishment
Retribution
Rehabilitation
Deterrence
Justice
Retributive Justice
Restorative Justice
Just War
Conditional pacifism
Absolute pacifism
Abortion
Euthanasia
Genetic Manipulation
Genetic Modification
Fertility Treatment