Module PHIL2041: Moral Theory

Department: Philosophy

PHIL2041: Moral Theory

Prerequisites

• At least one 'Year 1' module in Philosophy; PHIL1011 Ethics and Values, PHIL1021 Knowledge, Minds and Reality; PHIL1041 Reading Philosophy, PHIL1091 The Philosophical Traditions, PHIL1101 Being Human: An Introduction to Post Kantian Philosophy; PHIL1111 Science, Medicine and Society.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• A detailed study of important moral theories past and present.
• The module is also intended to provide a background to Applied Ethics.

Content

• This is a module in which topics in the module of Ethics and Values will be examined in more detail, alongside a number of new topics and authors.
• The module will also provide a theoretical background to third year modules with ethical or moral dimensions.
• The precise list of topics and authors to be studied may vary from year to year. Topics will be taken from a list including:
• Axiology
• Consequentialism
• Contractualism, Rights and Virtue
• Morality and Personhood
• Moral Realism
• Metaethical Constructivism
• Expressivism
• Moral Epistemology

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module students will have knowledge and understanding of key philosophical theories relating to the foregoing issues.

• correctly utilise specialist vocabulary
• grasp, analyse, evaluate and deploy subject-specific concepts and arguments
• locate, understand, assess and utilise pertinent philosophical (and, where appropriate, historical) sources
• interpret and criticise relevant texts.

• express themselves clearly and succinctly in writing
• comprehend complex ideas, propositions and theories
• defend their opinions by reasoned argument
• seek out and identify appropriate sources of evidence and information
• tackle problems in a clear-sighted and logical fashion.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Lectures deliver basic module-specific information, and provide a framework for further study.
• Discussion classes provide opportunities for students to test their own understanding of the material studies, and defend and debate different opinions.
• Guided reading provides a structure within which students exercise and extend their abilities to make use of available learning resources.
• A light touch formative exercise provides the opportunity for students to test their knowledge and understanding of the module content, and their ability to present and defend relevant arguments and theories, uninhibited by the need for summative assessment.
• The unseen examination tests students' knowledge and understanding of the module content at the end of the module, and their ability to bring it to bear on new problems under pressure of time.
• Lectures will be recorded, unless the lecturer judges that lecture capture is inappropriate, in line with the official university lecture capture policy.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

There will be an opportunity for formative feedback via a light-touch formative assessment.

■ Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.