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Applied Ethics - PHI00079I

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• Department: Philosophy
• Credit value: 20 credits
• Credit level: I
• Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
  • See module specification for other years: 2022-23 2024-25

Module summary

The aim of this module is to introduce students to a number of debates in applied ethics. We begin by looking at a number of issues in life and death, such as abortion, euthanasia, and animal welfare. From here, we consider topics such as world hunger and poverty, climate change, torture, capital punishment, and the use of drone strikes and just wars. Finally, we consider philosophical and ethical issues concerning pornography and recreational drug use.

Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Semester 1 2023-24

Module aims

The aim of this module is to introduce students to a number of debates in applied ethics. We begin by looking at a number of issues in life and death, such as abortion, euthanasia, and animal welfare. From here, we consider topics such as world hunger and poverty, climate change, torture, capital punishment, and the use of drone strikes and just wars. Finally, we consider philosophical and ethical issues concerning pornography and recreational drug use.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

—understand and explain a range of key problems, issues, and debates in applied ethics philosophy and express this understanding in clear, precise, and accessible terms

—develop and articulate ranges of alternative solutions to problems and issues in applied ethics in an open-minded way, drawing on module materials

—develop and articulate arguments for the alternative solutions considered in relation to problems and issues in applied ethics, drawing on module materials, identifying some points of weakness and some potential points for development

—make a judgement about what is the best view on a particular problem in applied ethics and argue in defence of this judgement

—identify some of their strengths and weaknesses by evaluating their own work in relation to departmental marking criteria

—apply simple strategies for improving their work, based on critical reflection, advice, and feedback

—critically engage with social, political, cultural, ethical, and value issues to contribute to the solution of key contemporary problems

Indicative assessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100

Module feedback

All feedback will returned within University and Departmental guidelines.

Indicative reading

Andrew I. Cohen & Christopher Heath Wellman (2014) Contemporary Debates in Applied Ethics. Oxford: Wiley Blackwell.