Undergraduate Module Descriptor

PHL2112: Practical Ethics

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Aims

This module aims to engage you in some very important contemporary debates in applied ethics. By the end of the module, you should be able to:

1)    Understand the motivations and methods of practical ethics;

2)    Assess arguments for different social and moral positions; and

3)    Discuss in a philosophically sophisticated manner some of the most pressing contemporary moral controversies.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.

On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. Identify and discuss the issues raised in some key contemporary debates in applied ethics.
2. Distinguish and evaluate certain positions and arguments within some key contemporary debates in applied ethics.
3. Demonstrate a sound grasp of the methods of applied ethics.
Discipline-Specific Skills4. Demonstrate a good understanding of the relationship between the practical and theoretical aspects of philosophy.
5. Demonstrate sound knowledge of different types of philosophical analysis.
Personal and Key Skills6. Demonstrate an expanded philosophical vocabulary and understanding with respect to key ideas in practical ethics.
7. Engage in complex arguments both orally and through writing.
8. Conduct research independently engaging with complex ideas and problems.