Module Details

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title ETHICS: MORAL CONSTRAINTS AND THE GOOD HUMAN LIFE
Code PHIL101
Coordinator Prof T Schramme
Philosophy
T.Schramme@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2019-20 Level 4 FHEQ First Semester 15

Aims

Students will become familiar with key concepts in ethics, both meta-ethics and normative ethics.  Students will gain an acquaintance with the main approaches to moral theory such as virtue ethics, deontology, consequentialism, as well as key debates in meta-ethics. Students will tackle central questions in moral philosophy, such as ‘is a good action more about good intentions than beneficial outcomes?’, ‘does lying possess an objective property of badness?’, ‘ought different people to follow different moral codes?’ and ‘what activities lead to a good life?’.


Learning Outcomes

(LO1) Students will be able to distinguish between some main concepts in ethical debates, past and present.

(LO2) Students will be able to explain recent developments in meta-ethics and normative ethics.

(LO3) Students will be able to evaluate some of the main theories in the history of moral philosophy and contemporary ethics.

(LO4) Students will be able to analyse concepts and arguments relating to ethical issues.

(LO5) Students will be able to identify philosophical assumptions underlying ethical claims and judgments.

(LO6) Students will be able to structure a discussion of issues in ethics.

(LO7) Students will be able to speak with confidence and clarity on issues of moral philosophy.

(LO8) Students will be able to explain details of canonical texts in moral philosophy.

(LO9) Students will be able to articulate and defend basic positions in classic and contemporary moral philosophy.

(LO10) Students will be able to write coherently and rigorously about abstract philosophical issues raised by ethical debates.

(S1) Students will develop their skills in making appropriate use of information technology, information on the World Wide Web and reference works and databases relevant to the discipline.

(S2) Students will enhance their capacity to participate, in a dispassionate and respectful manner, in debates about controversial and profound matters.

(S3) Students will develop their willingness critically to evaluate and reflect upon arguments, beliefs, proposals and values, both their own and those of others.

(S4) Students will enhance their abilities in reading and understanding texts and in comprehending abstract material.

(S5) Students will develop their skills in thinking critically, analysing problems and analysing and assessing arguments.

(S6) Students will enhance their ability to identify and reflect critically upon the issues that underlie debates.

(S7) Students will develop confidence in discussing previously unfamiliar ideas and approaches.

(S8) Students will enhance their ability to marshal arguments and present them orally and in writing.

(S9) Students will develop the ability to perform bibliographical searches, to include (to professional standard) citations and bibliographies in their work and to plan, organise and produce presentations and essays.

(S10) Students will enhance their oral and written communications skills and develop skill in explaining complex material in a precise manner.


Syllabus

 

The module gives an overview of major ethical theories, both on the normative and the meta level. After a general introduction, the module discusses topics such as consequentialism, Kantian deontology, social contract theories, virtue ethics, feminist ethics, ethical pluralism, scepticism, nihilism and moral rights theories. Library resources will be accessible through the module reading list and/or the module coordinator, other key learning resources will be accessible through VITAL. The mandatory reading for this module will be extracts of classic texts from the history of ethics and contemporary ethics. Students will be expected to read, discuss and present assigned readings in seminars. All other readings will be recommended. The readings will be available in the library, in both physical and electronic format. The essay questions will be based on the lectures and workshop activities.


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description: Lectures are tutor-led activities, offering a map of the syllabus and a framework for independent enquiry-led research. Students are encouraged to engage actively with lectures through, for example: (i) taking opportunities to ask questions during the session; (ii) reflecting on and responding to questions posed to them; (iii) producing questions and notes on issues for subsequent group discussion in seminars.
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method 2 - Seminar
Description: Seminars are formative spaces of applied and enquiry-led learning based on pre-set readings and facilitated by the tutor. Seminars thus offer opportunities for students to respond to tutor- and peer-set questions, deepen understanding, apply ideas, develop arguments and build confidence through group discussion. One or two students take the lead each week through peer-teaching, delivering presentations based on their own enquiries and identification of q uestions and issues.
Attendance Recorded: No


Teaching Schedule

  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 11

11

      2

8

32
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 118
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment

EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
Assessment 1 There is a resit opportunity. This is an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :1  2 hours    85       
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
Seminar presentation This is not an anonymous assessment. Reassessment opportunity - Yes  5-10 minutes    15       

Recommended Texts

Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.