After an initial examination of some of the personal reactions of members of the class to issues such as commodification, self-interest, ethical subjectivism and cultural relativism, and at philosophical issues to which they give rise, the course will engage with some significant contemporary approaches to the understanding of ethical theory. We will look, in turn, at utilitarianism, deontological ethics, and virtue ethics. In each case, we will look at some of the (recent) historical background to these views, at philosophical issues to which they give rise, and to some of the contemporary debate about them. We will also look at issues concerning the epistemology of ethics and (briefly) at some meta-ethics, at issues of feminism and ethics, at Wittgenstein and 'Wittgensteinian ethics', and at the problem of evil.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
1. identify some main contemporary theoretical approaches to ethics
2. understand something of the debate about their pros and cons
3. have articulated, and have received critical feedback upon, their own understanding of these issues in both written and spoken form
Indicative Assessment
Engagement with response to initial questions, 500 words 10% (Learning Outcome 3)
Initial essay 1,500 words 35% (Learning Outcomes 1, 2 and 3); there will be a prior opportunity to receive unassessed feedback on an essay plan
Major essay 2,500 words 45% (Learning Outcomes 1, 2 and 3)
Tutorial performance 10% (Learning Outcomes 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
21 hours of lectures; 12 hours of tutorials; it is expected that students will undertake 7 hours a week of private study.Requisite and Incompatibility
Preliminary Reading
Rachels, J, The Elements of Moral Philosophy, 5th ed., McGraw-Hill
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. Students continuing in their current program of study will have their tuition fees indexed annually from the year in which you commenced your program. 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 | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1994-2003 | $1164 | |
| 2014 | $2478 | |
| 2013 | $2472 | |
| 2012 | $2472 | |
| 2011 | $2424 | |
| 2010 | $2358 | |
| 2009 | $2286 | |
| 2008 | $2286 | |
| 2007 | $2286 | |
| 2006 | $2286 | |
| 2005 | $2286 | |
| 2004 | $1926 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 1994-2003 | $2574 |
| 2014 | $3246 |
| 2013 | $3240 |
| 2012 | $3240 |
| 2011 | $3240 |
| 2010 | $3240 |
| 2009 | $3240 |
| 2008 | $3240 |
| 2007 | $3132 |
| 2006 | $3132 |
| 2005 | $3132 |
| 2004 | $2916 |
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.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8823 | 21 Jul 2014 | 01 Aug 2014 | 31 Aug 2014 | 30 Oct 2014 | In Person | N/A |