PHIL 2036 - How Should I Live? Contemporary Ethical Theories

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2015

How should I live my life---morally speaking? One of the key debates in moral philosophy is between consequentialist and deontological answers to this question. In the first part of this course we will examine these two approaches, and look at some of the ways in which they have been developed by contemporary philosophers. In the second part of the course we will step back and look at some more general questions about the nature of morality (questions in so-called "meta-ethics"). How does morality fit into the natural world described by science? Is there such a thing as moral knowledge? How do we acquire it? Can we have evidence for or against a moral claim? What would such evidence look like?

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PHIL 2036
    Course How Should I Live? Contemporary Ethical Theories
    Coordinating Unit Philosophy
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites At least 12 units of level 1 Arts courses or equivalent, including 3 units in Philosophy
    Incompatible PHIL 2020 or PHIL 3020
    Course Description How should I live my life---morally speaking? One of the key debates in
    moral philosophy is between consequentialist and deontological answers
    to this question. In the first part of this course we will examine these
    two approaches, and look at some of the ways in which they have been
    developed by contemporary philosophers. In the second part of the course
    we will step back and look at some more general questions about the
    nature of morality (questions in so-called "meta-ethics"). How does
    morality fit into the natural world described by science? Is there such
    a thing as moral knowledge? How do we acquire it? Can we have evidence
    for or against a moral claim? What would such evidence look like?
    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 advanced understanding of contemporary philosophical debates on a range of central issues in normative ethics and metaethics.
    2. Analyze and engage critically with contemporary philosophical work on these issues.
    3. Express, develop and defend their own views on these issues, 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, 3
    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. 3, 4
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 3
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 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. 1, 4
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    There is no set text for this course. All of the required lecture and tutorial readings will be made available via the course website on MyUni.
    Online Learning
    All essential course information (including lecture slides and recordings, tutorial questions, further readings, and assessment information) will be available online via MyUni.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course will be taught by a combination of lectures (two per week) and tutorials (ten over the course of the semester). For full details see the Course Guide, which will be available on the course website on MyUni.
    Workload

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

    Hours per week Hours per semester
    2 x 1-hour lecture. 24 hours
    1 x 1-hour tutorial. 12 hours
    4 hours lecture preparation and revision (reading, taking notes, reviewing lectures). 48 hours
    2 hours tutorial preparation (reading, taking notes, preparing tutorial questions). 24 hours
    4 hours assessment work (research, planning, and writing). 48 hours
    13 hours 156 hours

    Hours per week are approximate and averaged over the semester. The actual hours required 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 two essays, adding up to a combined maximum of 4500 words. There will be penalties for unsatisfactory tutorial attendance. For full details see the Course Guide, which will be available on the course website on MyUni.
    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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