PHIL 210 : Applied Ethics

Arts

2020 Semester One (1203) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Philosophical analysis and discussion of contemporary moral issues, such as abortion, euthanasia, reverse discrimination, sex work, punishment and the ethics of charity.

Course Overview

In PHIL 210: Applied Ethics we explore a range of real world ethical issues, and in 2020 we will focus on ethical issues concerning euthanasia, sex work, punishment and gene editing.
In each of the four sections of the course, we will look at what is happening in the world and in New Zealand in relation to this issue, and then survey and evaluate a selection of relevant ethical arguments concerning the moral permissibility of the practices connected to these issues. We will also look at some of the deeper conceptual and ethical issues that underlie each topic.
Our focus is on questions the answers to which are contestable - therefore different views on these topics will be explored, and students will be encouraged to form their own opinions and argue for them.
The lectures are interactive, and student participation is an important part of lectures. Tutorials will offer opportunities to learn and practice philosophical skills, and develop students' ability to evaluate arguments presented in the course, and construct their own arguments. Tutorials will be characterised by a range of different approaches to learning, including student lead collaborative inquiry, lecturer lead discussion, reading focused discussion and structured skill building activities.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: PHIL 102 or 104, or 30 points in Philosophy, or 30 points at Stage I in Social Science for Public Health Restriction: PHIL 313

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Arts

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Describe and explain a range of arguments for and against the moral permissibility and/or legality of ethically significant social practices (Capability 1.1, 2.1 and 4.1)
  2. Develop and demonstrate the ability to evaluate arguments about ethically significant social practices (Capability 1.2, 2.1 and 4.1)
  3. Identify their own questions about ethically significant social practices (Capability 1.3, 2.2 and 3.1)
  4. Create their own arguments to support their positions on ethically significant social practices (Capability 2.3, 3.2, 4.2, 5.2 and 6.3)
  5. Able to communicate and inquire collaboratively with others on ethically significant issues (Capability 3.1, 4.2 and 4.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 15% Individual Coursework
Essay 35% Individual Coursework
Reflection 10% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 40% Individual Examination

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 2 hours of lectures, a 1 hour tutorial, 4 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 3 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page (https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894), which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 12/12/2019 12:17 p.m.