This course will provide an introduction to central topics in ethics and the most prominent approaches to thinking about them. We will examine different theories of what makes an action right or wrong, how we might respond to the view that we should only ever act in line with self-interest, what could make a given entity worthy of moral concern, and what might explain the place of morality in our universe. Particular attention will be paid to consequentialism, deontology, and virtue theory as frameworks for thinking about key ethical questions. We will consider the role that certain other issues in philosophy, such as whether human beings have free will, should play in approaching topics in ethics. In addition, we will think about how philosophical work in ethics can inform decisions that we regularly make in our lives.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:1. identify some of the main philosophical approaches to ethics
2. compare and contrast the ethical theories discussed in this course
3. use philosophical reasoning to form their own view on the merits of the theories of ethics discussed in this course that addresses significant objections.
Indicative Assessment
Tutorial Participation (including reading response submitted to Wattle) (10%) [Learning Outcomes 1, 2, and 3]Essay, 1000 words (20%) [Learning Outcome 2 and 3]
Essay, 1500 words (30%) [Learning Outcome 2 and 3]
Final Exam held during the formal exam period, 3-hours (40%) [Learning Outcome 1, 2 and 3]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from: a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 24 hours of lectures, and 12 hours of tutorials; and, b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
John Stuart Mill, Utilitarianism, Hackett (2002)Immanuel Kant, Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, (Mary McGregor ed.) Cambridge University Press (1998)
Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Hackett (1999)
Majors
Minors
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2017 | $2856 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2017 | $4080 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4194 | 20 Feb 2017 | 27 Feb 2017 | 31 Mar 2017 | 26 May 2017 | In Person | N/A |
