SE4373: Modern Moral Philosophy
School | Philosophy |
Department Code | ENCAP |
Module Code | SE4373 |
External Subject Code | 100337 |
Number of Credits | 20 |
Level | L6 |
Language of Delivery | English |
Module Leader | Dr Joseph Adams |
Semester | Spring Semester |
Academic Year | 2022/3 |
Outline Description of Module
We will be studying in detail the two following books: David Hume’s Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals and Immanuel Kant’s Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals. We will aim to identify precisely what claims the chosen books are making, through assessing competing interpretations, and to evaluate their contributions to moral thought.
On completion of the module a student should be able to
- Show knowledge of the key aims and components of the selected texts.
- Be able to identify and engage with issues of textual interpretation.
- Be able to understand and engage with evaluative claims concerning these texts in the secondary literature.
- Be able to critically evaluate and give justified interpretations of these texts.
How the module will be delivered
The module will be delivered through a mix of large group and small group sessions, including, where relevant, asynchronous materials such as lecture recordings. Full details on the delivery mode of this module will be available on Learning Central at the start of the academic year – and may be, in part, determined by Welsh Government and Public Health Wales guidance.
Skills that will be practised and developed
Transferable / Employability Skills:
It is worth bearing in mind that, even though the point of the module is to do philosophy, many of the skills you’ll be developing are also highly valued by graduate employers. These include:
- Critical Thinking: e.g. the ability to understand, structure and critically evaluate the key points and arguments made in written texts and discussions––achieved through e.g. reading, small group activities in lectures and seminars, plenary discussions in seminars, reflecting on lecture materials, essay and exam preparation and writing.
- Communication: the ability to formulate and articulate your critical thinking, both orally and on paper, in ways that others can grasp and engage with––achieved through e.g. small group work in seminars, seminar discussions, essay/exam writing.
- Organisation: the ability to organise and coordinate workloads––achieved through balancing e.g. reading, seminar preparation, essay/exam preparation.
- Working with others: e.g. co-constructing ideas, responding sensitively to others––achieved through e.g. small group work in seminars, group presentations.
Assessment Breakdown
Type | % | Title | Duration(hrs) |
---|---|---|---|
Written Assessment | 50 | Essay 1 | N/A |
Exam online – Spring semester | 50 | Modern Moral Philosophy | 4 |
Syllabus content
The module will be concerned with understanding the structure and components of the following texts and assessing their contributions to moral thought: David Hume’s Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals, Immanuel Kant’s Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals.