This course will deal with a range of core issues in contemporary meta-ethics. Topics covered will include whether there are any objective ethical facts, and if so what kind of facts they could be; what kind of state of mind a moral opinion is; how such opinions can come to be justified; and whether moral language should be understood as descriptive or expressive. We will consider whether ordinary moral judgements might be radically mistaken; what kind of relativity might attach to morality; what is at stake in ethical disagreements; and what methods are appropriate for moral inquiry.  

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. describe accurately the main meta-ethical theories covered by the course;
2. state the most important arguments for and against those theories;
3. evaluate the plausibility of those arguments, offering clearly articulated reasons for their evaluation; and
4. develop detailed and well-structured arguments for conclusions concerning two of the topics covered by the course.

Research-Led Teaching

The primary methods of philosophical research are reading, discussion and writing. New ideas in philosophy are generated by identifying the strongest versions of existing views, subjecting them to critical scrutiny, and identifying stronger alternatives. This course is structured in a way that is designed to help students to develop these skills. The second half of each lecture class will be spent working to critically examine the theories expounded in the first half. Tutorials will extend this process further through close reading and discussion of leading texts in the field.

Field Trips

N/A

Additional Course Costs

N/A

Examination Material or equipment

N/A -- assessment in this class is by essays.

Required Resources

N/A. Access to compulsory readings will be via Wattle.

Recommended Resources

Recommendations for further reading will be supplied in Wattle.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments

Feedback on essays will be given in writing. Feedback on understanding of reading material will be given verbally in tutorials. Further feedback, outside scheduled classes, can be arranged by appointment with the teaching staff.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	2-hr lecture class -- no tutorial	Week 1 topic: Introduction to metaethicsLecture classes will be conducted in a hybrid format. In-person attendance will be possible for students on campus, Zoom attendance will be offered for students participating in the course remotely, and the lectures will also be recorded.
2	2-hr lecture class + 1-hr tutorial	Week 2 topic: Moore's non naturalism
3	2-hr lecture class + 1-hr tutorial	Week 3 topic: Mackie's error theory
4	2-hr lecture class + 1-hr tutorial	Week 4 topics: Aristotelian naturalismFirst essay due: Friday 20 August
5	2-hr lecture class + 1-hr tutorial	Week 5 topic: Humean noncognitivism
6	2-hr lecture class + 1-hr tutorial	Week 6 topic: Kantian constructivism
7	2-hr lecture class + 1-hr tutorial	Week 7 topic: Naturalism -- elaborations
8	2-hr lecture class + 1-hr tutorial	Week 8 topic: Noncognitivism -- elaborations
9	2-hr lecture class + 1-hr tutorial	Week 8 topic: Nonnaturalism -- elaborations
10	2-hr lecture class + 1-hr tutorial	Week 9 topic: Response-dependent cognitivism
11	2-hr lecture class + 1-hr tutorial	Week 10 topic: Evolutionary debunking arguments
12	2-hr lecture class + 1-hr tutorial	Week 12 topic: Moral epistemology
13		Second essay due: Monday 8 November

Tutorial Registration

Tutorial registration will be through Wattle -- instructions are provided there. There will be an online tutorial option for students participating in the course remotely.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
First Essay	25 %	Linked to LO 1,2,3,4
Second Essay	55 %	Linked to LO 1,2,3,4
Tutorial Preparation and Participation	20 %	Linked to LO 1,2,3

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Participation in tutorials is a condition for receiving the weekly reading notes mark. (Exceptional circumstances preventing attendance at tutorials will be accommodated by accepting reading notes without attendance as sufficient to earn the mark for the week in which attendance was not possible.)

Examination(s)

N/A

Assessment Task 1

First Essay

Assessment Task 1 is an essay of 2500 words maximum (including notes and references), due on Friday of Week 4. Marks and feedback will be returned by Friday of Week 6 (for essays submitted on time). Essay questions on topics covered in the first half of the course will be provided in Wattle. Consult Wattle for presentation requirements and penalties for late submission. The marking scheme for essays will be: the stronger of the two essay marks will contribute 55% of the overall mark for the course; the weaker of the two essay marks will contribute 25% of the overall mark for the course. This marking scheme is intended to provide students with a significant opportunity and incentive to improve their essay-writing performance over the course of the semester.

Assessment Task 2

Second Essay

Assessment Task 2 is an essay of 2500 words maximum (including notes and references), due on the first Monday of the examination period (8 November). Marks and feedback will be returned on the ANU Results Published date at the end of the semester. Essay questions on topics covered in the first half of the course will be provided in Wattle. Consult Wattle for presentation requirements and penalties for late submission. The marking scheme for essays will be: the stronger of the two essay marks will contribute 55% of the overall mark for the course; the weaker of the two essay marks will contribute 25% of the overall mark for the course. This marking scheme is intended to provide students with a significant opportunity and incentive to improve their essay-writing performance over the course of the semester.

Assessment Task 3

Tutorial Preparation and Participation

Tutorial Preparation and Participation is assessed as follows:

Preparation: One page of reading notes is to be submitted on the main item of set reading for each week. Participation. This involves attending the week’s tutorial and constructively participating. Listening to the discussion and being willing to contribute is sufficient for constructive participation.

For each week in which both the Preparation and the Participation requirement are satisfied, 2% is awarded towards the overall mark for the course.

(There are 11 tutorial weeks. The Preparation and Participation mark will be capped at 20%.)

(Exceptional circumstances preventing attendance at tutorials will be accommodated by accepting reading notes without attendance as sufficient to earn the mark for the week in which attendance was not possible.)

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

Notification of grades and feedback on assignments will be provided through Wattle.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Resubmission of assignments is not offered in this course. The marking scheme for essays will be: the stronger of the two essay marks will contribute 55% of the overall mark for the course; the weaker of the two essay marks will contribute 25% of the overall mark for the course.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students