University of the West of England

MODULE SPECIFICATION

(Revised October 2005)

Code: UPPNGB-30-3 Title: Ethical Issues in Politics Version: 4

Level: 3 UWE credit rating: 30 ECTS credit rating: 15

Module type: Standard

Owning Faculty: Social Sciences and Humanities Field: Politics

Valid from: September 2008 Discontinued from:

Contributes towards: Awards up to BA/BSC (Hons)

Pre-requisites: None

Co-requisites: None

Excluded combinations:

Learning outcomes:

At the end of this module a typical student will be able to:

• Adapt moral theories to moral issues (e.g. assessment component A, assessment component B, element 2)

• Evaluate critically moral theories (E.G. assessment component A, assessment component B, element 1)

• Evaluate critically the arguments involved in moral issues (e.g. assessment component A, assessment component B, element 2)

• Interpret debates concerning moral issues from different theoretical perspectives (e.g. assessment component A, assessment component B, element 1,2)

• Compare and contrast the validity of different arguments concerning moral issues (e.g. assessment component A, assessment component B, element 2)

• Work independently by engaging in a case-study of an ethical issue in politics 9e.g. assessment component B, element 2)

• Communicate ideas clearly in writing (e.g. assessment component A, assessment component B, elements 1,2)

• Plan and organise written materials (e.g. assessment component A, assessment component B, elements 1,2)

• Engage in independent research 9e.g. assessment component B, element 2)

Syllabus outline:

1. Theories of Ethics.

This part of the course will introduce students to the main theoretical approaches to the study of modern ethics. Theories considered will comprise:

Subjectivism

Relativism

Utilitarianism

Kantianism

Existentialism.

2. Ethics and Public Policy.

This part of the course will concentrate on selected moral issues which are important as issues of public policy. Issues which may be examined are:

The moral responsibilities of the state

The justification for punishment by the state

The justification for capital punishment

The relationship between law and morality

Censorship

Abortion

War and War Crimes

Environmental responsibility.

3. Ethics and Political Action.

This part of the course will concentrate on the moral issues which are raised by certain types of political action that individuals might engage in. Topics that may be considered here will comprise:

The moral obligations of the individual to the state

Civil Disobedience

Political violence.

Teaching and learning methods:

Weekly lectures and seminars

Reading Strategy

A number of key texts will be available in the short-loan section of the Library. Students are expected to identify other reading relevant to their chosen topic for themselves. They will be encouraged to read widely using the library catalogue, a variety of bibliographic and full text databases, and Internet resources. It will be expected that assignment bibliographies and reference lists will reflect the range of reading carried out.

Indicative Reading List:

The following list is offered to provide validation panels/accrediting bodies with an indication of the type and level of information students may be expected to consult. As such, its currency may wane during the life span of the module specification. However, as indicated above, CURRENT advice on readings will be available via other more frequently updated mechanisms.

Almond B & Hill D (eds) Applied Philosophy - Routledge 1991.

Bedau Civil Disobedience in Focus - Routledge 1991.

Billington R Living Philosophy - Routledge 1988.

Dworkin R A Matter of Principle - Harvard 1985.

Glover J Causing Death and Saving Lives - Penguin 1972.

Hudson W Modern Moral Philosophy 2nd Edition - 1983.

Johnson L A Morally Deep World - Cambridge 1991.

Lacey N State Punishment - Routledge 1988.

Lyons J Ethics and the Rule of Law - Cambridge 1985.

MacIntyre A After Virtue - Duckworth. 1981.

Raphael D Moral Philosophy - Oxford 1981.

Rorty R Contingency, Irony, and Solidarity - Cambridge 1989.

Singer P (ed) Applied Ethics - Oxford 1986.

Singer P Practical Ethics - Cambridge 1979.

Velasquez M & Rostankowski C Ethics - Prentice Hall 1985.

Walzer M Interpretation and Social Criticism - Harvard 1987.

Walzer M Just and Unjust Wars 2nd Edition - Basic Books 1992.

Journals

Ethics

Political Studies

Journal of Applied Philosophy

Political Theory

Philosophy and Public Affairs

Politics

Social Philosophy and Politics

Assessment

Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 50% B: 50%

ATTEMPT 1

First Assessment Opportunity

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting

1. Three Hour Unseen Examination 50%

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

1. .Essay 20%

2. .Case-Study 30%

Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes is not required)

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting

1. Three Hour Unseen Examination 50%

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

1. Extended Essay 50%

SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT: Attendance at taught classes is required.

Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)

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