PHI1011 : Introduction to Moral Philosophy
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Stephen Overy
- Owning School: School X
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
To introduce students to the disciplines of moral philosophy, ethics and history of ideas and the study of the intellectual foundations of Western thought.
Students will be introduced to and encouraged to reflect upon some of the key ideas and conceptual systems from the history of European thought, from the pre-Socratics to the dawn of the Enlightenment. The lectures will discuss the contrast between the Ancient and Modern scientific worldviews, study the relationship between philosophical concepts and the historical and material conditions of society which gave birth to them, look at the origin of modern scientific method and also interrogate the theories of knowledge, metaphysics and methodology of prominent thinkers from the Western tradition.
Outline Of Syllabus
1. Consequentialism
2. Aristotle’s virtue ethics
3. Deontology
4. Natural law and rights
5. Moral scepticism and emotivism
6. Applied Ethics
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 8 | 1:00 | 8:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | Essay preparation and completion |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 52:00 | 52:00 | Review lecture material, prepare for small group teaching and assessment. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 8 | 1:00 | 8:00 | Tutorials |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured research and reading activities | 10 | 1:00 | 10:00 | Specific research or reading activities developed and directed by academic staff. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | N/A |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures convey the underlying philosophical, cultural and socio-political thoughts and practices characteristic of the European tradition as a foundation for further future consideration of the Enlightenment project. The content of the course will be supported by extracts from original texts, illustrations, examples, historical knowledge and slides in lectures and by structured discussion sessions where students will reinforce knowledge and develop dialogue and communication skills.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 2 | A | 100 | Choice of 2000 words 100% OR: individual essay 70% and joint report 30%. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The student chooses a title from a choice of up to four questions. These questions encourage independent research using the lecture content as a foundation and makes it possible to assess knowledge acquisition, interpretive skill and theoretical understanding as well as the analytical, creative and critical potential of students. The essay tests the ability to think creatively, self-critically and independently as well as managing one’s own work to set time limits.
Should students pick the second assessment option, they will be able to work collaboratively for a proportion of their grade. Such opportunities are in keeping with the university's skills framework and are not offered in many other PHI modules.
The collaborative commentary, produced in groups of three or four, will thematically link a set of essays on a similar philosophical theory or applied ethical issue. Such commentaries are common in academic work (such as journals or edited collections) and offer students the chance to engage with such practices as undergraduates.
It also allows students to engage with a smaller topic in more depth in their individual essays, and pushes them to engage with contemporary scholarship on the thematic theory or issue.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- PHI1011's Timetable