PHIL 1103 - Morality, Society and the Individual

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2014

Morality plays a part in everyone's life. But what exactly is it, and why is it important? In the first half of the course, we consider the nature and origins of morality. We ask: Does morality depend on religion? Can there be any objective basis for morality? Or are moral rightness and wrongness relative to each individual? The second half of the course then examines various attempts to explain the substance of morality. We will look at the main ideas philosophers have had about what ultimately makes our actions right or wrong, and ask how successful they are.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PHIL 1103
    Course Morality, Society and the Individual
    Coordinating Unit Philosophy
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Assessment Short essay(10%), 1400-1800 word essay (40%), exam (40%), tutorial participation (10%)
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr James Morauta

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

    1. Demonstrate an understanding of some of the major positions in normative ethics and metaethics.

    2. Analyze and engage critically with both contemporary and historical work in moral philosophy.

    3. Express, develop and defend their own views, through written work and through constructive discussion with others.

    4. Demonstrate an understanding of the ways in which moral philosophy can be relevant to real world moral problems.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1, 2
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 2, 3
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 4
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 3, 4
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 3
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 3, 4
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 3, 4
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 4
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course will be taught by a combination of lectures and tutorials. For details see the Course Guide.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Hours per week:

    - 2 x 1 hour lecture.
    - 1 x 1 hour tutorial.
    - 4 hours lecture preparation and revision (doing the reading, reviewing lectures and lecture notes).
    - 2 hours tutorial preparation (doing the reading, preparing tutorial questions).
    - 3 hours assessment work (completion of written tasks, essay reading and preparation, essay writing).

    Total per week: 12 hours.

    Hours are approximate and averaged over the semester. The actual hours spent on the course will vary from week to week, and are likely to be higher in the weeks leading up to the submission of an assignment.
    Learning Activities Summary
    See the Course Guide.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    This course will be assessed by a combination of short written exercises, an essay, an exam, and a mark for tutorial attendance. For full details see the Course Guide.
    Assessment Detail
    See the Course Guide.
    Submission
    See the Course Guide.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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