CE4937: Introducing Moral Problems

School Continuing and Professional Education
Department Code LEARN
Module Code CE4937
External Subject Code 100793
Number of Credits 10
Level L4
Language of Delivery English
Module Leader Dr Clea Rees
Semester Autumn Semester
Academic Year 2013/4

Outline Description of Module

Is abortion morally permissible? Should pornography be censored? What moral consideration is due to non-human animals? What are our obligations to victims of famine in other countries? What makes a relationship a good one? Is death such a bad thing? Should you use free software? People or penguins? What's wrong with slavery?

 

Moral issues are frequently at the centre of political and social controversies. This course will explore a selection of moral questions relevant to our lives as individuals and members of political and social communities. The course will examine what guidance philosophy may offer us as we clarify the questions and evaluate suggested solutions 

On completion of the module a student should be able to

Knowledge and Understanding:

By the end of the period of learning, the typical student will be able to:

 

  • Demonstrate an understanding of core elements of the course material;
  • Evaluate ethical claims in the context of historical and contemporary debates about moral, social and political issues;
  • Bring the insights of ethical theory to bear on specific ethical questions concerning individual morality, social justice and public policy.

 

Intellectual Skills:

By the end of the period of learning, the typical student will be able:

  • analyse the structure of an argument;
  • critically evaluate an argument;
  • compare and contrast different positions on an issue;
  • adjudicate disputes.

 

 

Discipline Specific (including practical) Skills:

By the end of the period of learning, the typical student will be able:

  • critically read and analyse a philosophical text;
  • use philosophical vocabulary appropriate to the subject matter of the specific course;
  • formulate and defend a philosophical thesis;
  • constructively discuss philosophical ideas with others.

  

How the module will be delivered

This course is taught in 10, two-hour sessions, delivered on a weekly basis.

 

There will be a mixture of lectures and seminars, the precise proportion to be determined by the needs of the students enrolled. The seminar element may include debate, discussion, group activities, presentations and readings. Additional reading material will be recommended and a reading list will be supplied. If appropriate, other materials such as documentaries may also be included. Course handouts will be provided as appropriate.

 

The seminars will encourage the development of knowledge and understanding of the ideas and concepts discussed in the course. Intellectual skills will be encouraged through participation in class discussion, reading and coursework. 

Skills that will be practised and developed

  • recognise, analyse and criticise arguments;
  • explain and defend a view clearly and concisely whether orally or in writing;
  • respond constructively to disagreement;
  • evaluate claims in the context of historical and contemporary debates about social and political issues;
  • formulate useful questions about policies or proposals concerning social and political matters.

 

  

How the module will be assessed

 

Type of assessment

 

%

Contribution

Title

Duration
(if applicable)

Approx. date of Assessment

Question prompt responses

100

1500 words

 

 

 

Weekly/fortnightly

OREssay

100

1500 words.

 

Set in Week 2/3 and submitted shortly after end of course 

 

Assessment Breakdown

Type % Title Duration(hrs)
Written Assessment 100 Introducing Moral Problems N/A

Syllabus content

Moral issues are frequently at the centre of political and social controversies. This course will explore a selection of moral questions relevant to our lives as individuals and members of political and social communities. The course will examine what guidance philosophy may offer us as we clarify the questions and evaluate suggested solutions.

 

The following list of sample topics indicates the kind of subject matter which may be discussed but the specific issues selected will vary:

 

  • bioethics e.g. abortion (pro-life, pro-choice, feminist approaches), euthanasia;
  • pornography & censorship (freedom of expression, offence vs. harm,  feminist vs. non-feminist);
  • the moral status of non-human animals and its implications;
  • our obligations to distant others vs. our obligations to those in our immediate family, community or nation;
  • human relationships;
  • sex roles;
  • value & death;
  • environmental ethics;
  • justice & punishment;
  • challenges of multiculturism;
  • educational ethics;
  • ethical issues in research;
  • civil disobedience e.g. conscientious objection;
  • computing ethics e.g. free software, the GPL, software piracy, digital rights management; 
  • terrorism & civil liberties.

     

    The course may draw on case studies and examples from fiction and non-fiction to illustrate the theoretical positions  discussed and students are encouraged to draw further examples from their own experience.

      

Essential Reading and Resource List

Reading and resources will vary according to the specific topics covered in the module. Students considering the module may find the following anthology helpful:

 

Peter Singer (ed.), Applied Ethics. Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press. 1986 


Copyright Cardiff University. Registered charity no. 1136855