University of the West of England

MODULE SPECIFICATION

(Revised October 2005)

Code: UPZNQX-30-2 Title: Ethics Version: 1

Level: 2 UWE credit rating: 30 ECTS credit rating: 15

Module type: Standard

Owning Faculty: Social Science and Humanities Field: Philosophy

Valid from: September 2010 Discontinued from: N/A

Contributes towards: Awards up to BA (Hons)

Pre-requisites: None

Co-requisites: None

Excluded combinations: None

Learning outcomes:

On successful completion of the module students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a good knowledge of the principal issues and arguments in philosophical ethics (assessed at all assessment points).

2. Demonstrate the ability to analyze philosophical arguments, assess them critically, and consider their consequences (assessed at all assessment points).

3. Demonstrate the development of transferable skills in the presentation and analysis of arguments (assessed at all assessment points).

Syllabus outline:

This module will offer an introduction to some of the central problems and theories in ethics, drawing on both classic historical discussions and contemporary debates. Issues covered may include (but not be restricted to) the nature of value, value pluralism, value relativism, ethical rationalism and intuitivism, ethical naturalism, deontology and utilitarianism. These theoretical concerns will developed by engaging with substantive practical problems arising in ethics, both ancient and modern, such as (by way of example, and subject staff interests): ethical perfectionism in ancient philosophy, ethical issues surrounding death, medical ethics, and the Kantian ethical tradition.

Teaching and learning methods:

This module will be group taught, drawing on the expertise of a number of staff, using both lectures and seminars for small group discussion. Students will be encouraged to engage with ethical problems directly in these discussions and to develop their understanding of the issues raised in lectures.

Reading strategy:

Students will be provided with a variety of short extracts from key texts in philosophical ethics. Further reading will be recommended in the module handbook and made available in the library, and electronically where possible. Introductory texts offering background reading will be recommended and students will be encouraged to purchase these and read independently in parallel with the material covered in lectures.

Indicative reading list:

Blackburn, S., Being Good: A Short Introduction to Ethics (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001)

Irwin, T., Plato’s Ethics (New York: Oxford University Press, 1995)

Macintyre, A., A Short History of Ethics (London: Routledge, [1967] 1995)

Mackie, J. L., Ethics: Inventing Right and Wrong (Harmondsworth: Penguin, [1977] 1990)

Singer, P., ed., A Companion to Ethics, Blackwell Companions to Philosophy (Oxford: Blackwell, 1991)

Singer, P., ed., Ethics, Oxford Readers (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1994)

Warren J., Facing Death: Epicurus and his Critics (Oxford: Clarendon Press 2006).

Wiggins, D., Ethics: Twelve Lectures on the Philosophy of Morality (London: Penguin, 2006)

Williams, B., Morality: An Introduction to Ethics (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1993)

Assessment

Weighting between components A and B A: 50% B: 50%

ATTEMPT 1

First Assessment Opportunity

Component A (Controlled conditions)

Description of each element Element weighting

1. Examination (3 Hours) 50%

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

1. 2,000 word essay 25%

2. 2,000 word essay 25%

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

Component A (Controlled conditions)

Description of each element Element weighting

1. Examination (3 Hours) 50%

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

1. 2,000 word essay 25%

2. 2,000 word essay 25%

SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT: Attendance at taught classes is not required.

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

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)