This module focuses on a range of practical ethical topics, connecting practical theories and stances with the nature of the world we live in. We interpret 'ethics' here very broadly and the topics we cover will change from year to year, but likely topics include: war and peace, animal ethics, media and data, and various topics in medical ethics.
We face and hear about moral problems every day. These problems range from life and death matters concerning abortion, euthanasia and the like to other types of case such as whether to tell a lie to prevent hurting someone's feelings. At some point we might wonder whether there is a set of rules or principles (such as 'Do not lie’) that will help us through these tricky problems; we might wonder whether there is something more simple underlying all of this ‘ethical mess’ that we can discern. Ethics contains several theories or stances that attempt to give us such principles and to sort out the mess. In particular, different ethical theories are attempts to articulate reasons why a certain course of action is ethically best; they are attempts to say what types of feature we should concentrate on when thinking about ethical problems. We will begin the module by reviewing certain ethical theories and understanding them in detail before turning to investigate various ethical problems and dilemmas.
Total Contact Hours: 40
Total Private Study Hours: 260
Total Study Hours: 300
Main assessment methods:
Essay (mid-term) (2000 words) – 50%
End of term task: 50%, one from a choice of:
- written piece of public philosophy (1000 words)
- podcast (10 mins)
- video cast (10 mins)
Reassessment methods
100% Coursework (2,500 words)
The University is committed to ensuring that core reading materials are in accessible electronic format in line with the Kent Inclusive Practices. The most up to date reading list for each module can be found on the university's reading list pages: https://kent.rl.talis.com/index.html
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1. Outline and show critical understanding through clear expression of consequentialism;
2. Outline and show critical understanding through clear expression of a number of problems for consequentialism;
3. Outline and show critical understanding through clear expression of deontology;
4. Outline and show critical understanding through clear expression of problems for deontologists;
5. Outline and show critical understanding through clear expression of virtue theory;
6. Outline and show critical understanding through clear expression of a number of problems for virtue theorists.
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate their skills in critical analysis and argument through an engagement with these issues, both through their reading and through listening to others;
2. Demonstrate their ability to make ideas clearly understandable in their writing;
3. Demonstrate their ability to make ideas clearly understandable for a live audience;
4. Demonstrate their ability to work autonomously and to take responsibility for their learning.
University of Kent makes every effort to ensure that module information is accurate for the relevant academic session and to provide educational services as described. However, courses, services and other matters may be subject to change. Please read our full disclaimer.
