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PHIL575 Social Philosophy: Issues in Applied Ethics

Updated: 06 January 2010
Credit Points 6
Offering Not offered in 2010
Intensive School(s)
Start Finish Attendance Notes
N/A N/A Non-Mandatory
Supervised Exam There is a UNE Supervised Examination held at the end of the teaching period in which you are enrolled.
Pre-requisites candidature in a postgraduate award
Co-requisites None
Restrictions PHIL375 or PHIL475
Notes None
Combined Units PHIL375 - Social Philosophy: Issues in Applied Ethics
Coordinator(s) Adrian Walsh (awalsh@une.edu.au)
Unit Description

Contemporary public life is awash with contentious ethical debates regarding the justice of war, the justification of otherwise of censorship, the proper limits of freedom of speech, the appropriate aims of punishment, how we might strike a balance between the right to privacy and the need for surveillance. In this unit we use the writings of a number of significant social philosophers to examine the controversies and provide normative solutions to these vexing issues. In our treatment of these topics emphasis is placed on problem solving.
Materials Text information will be published prior to commencement of the teaching period.
Disclaimer Offer of some subjects is subject to viability. Information in these unit descriptions is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Assessment
Title Exam Length Weight Mode No. Words
Assignment 1 50% 3500
Assessment Notes
research essay
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-4 GA: 1, 2, 4-6
Assignment 2 50% 3500
Assessment Notes
research essay
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-4 GA: 1, 2, 4-6

Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. exhibit an advanced understanding of the main ethical frameworks that underpin the writings of major social philosophers;
  2. develop argumentative strategies for responding to the central problems of social philosophy;
  3. engage directly with these controversies in social philosophy in a sophisticated philosophical manner;
  4. present a coherent and well-argued response to these controversial issues in a sophisticated essay format.

Graduate Attributes (GA)
Attribute Taught Assessed Practised
1 Knowledge of a Discipline
Students will deepen their knowledge of the philosophy discipline through lectures and tutorials. It will be assessed in both written essays. 		True True True
2 Communication Skills
Students will be taught communication skills through written and oral feedback on the essays for the unit. Students studying on-campus will learn valuable communication skills through participation in tutorials (this will include debates and small group work). Students will be assessed on the style of writing, clarity of writing, expression and development of ideas, and referencing. Students will practice their communication skills through completing the assessment tasks (written through the essays). 		True True True
4 Information Literacy
Students are encouraged to develop research skills in collecting and evaluating data, including the skills to assess the utility of information, identify the most useful sources of information and critically examine those sources. 		True True False
5 Life-Long Learning
Through completing the assessments, students will be provided with the necessary lifelong skills to be able to research, write and discuss social issues. These skills can be transferred to any discipline, and will be useful in any research positions. These attributes will be assessed in all of the assessments (written skills; analytical skills). In addition, students who attend tutorials will be provided with the skills to debate contentious topics and develop their understanding of a topic through group activities. 		True True False
6 Problem Solving
Students will be assessed on their ability to conceptualise problems and formulate a range of solutions to both research and presentation. Collect, collate and analyse relevant information to assist problem solving (practice). 		False True True
7 Social Responsibility
Students will be taught about their professional responsibilities as a researcher to provide balanced and accurate research. In addition, students will be taught that they have a social responsibility to question and challenge some 'facts'. This will be assessed and taught through their responses to the essay, exam questions and discussions in tutorials or online postings. 		True False True
8 Team Work
Students will practice working collaboratively and network effectively to solve problems on the discussion board (Blackboard) taking initiative and leading others in this environment. They will also negotiate and assert their own values and respect the values and contributions of others on the discussion board and in their own essays. 		False False True
   

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