Master of Arts in Professional and Applied Ethics

Course 102-EU (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Year and Campus: 2009
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate

Coordinator

Andrew Alexandra
Centre for Applied Philosophy & Public Ethics
School of Philosophy, Anthropology & Social Inquiry
Email: a.alexandra@unimelb.edu.au

Contact

Arts & Music Student Centre
Email: arts-gradstudies@unimelb.edu.au

Course Overview: This course is offered by the ARC Special Research Centre in Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics (CAPPE) and will be available through the School of Philosophy in the Faculty of Arts.

Ethical issues have gained increased prominence in public thinking. In particular, ethical issues involving the business community, the medical profession and State and Federal Governments have generated enormous public debate. The awareness of the ethical dimensions of public policy continue to be of huge importance to Australian society. This course provides a much needed opportunity for professionals, public servants and recent graduates to explore these issues in depth.
Objectives:

Students who have completed this program will:

  • understand and analyse complex ethical issues;

  • detect ambiguity, vagueness, inconsistency, and other weaknesses in the expressions of ideas;

  • distinguish different types of question, claim or argument, and respond to them appropriately;

  • distinguish what is relevant to a given issue from what is not;

  • see ways in which an argument or explanation could be improved.
Course Structure & Available Subjects:

  • two compulsory subjects

  • one of the following options:

OPTION 1:

  • A thesis (37.5 points)

  • 3 elective subjects

    OR

OPTION 2:

  • A thesis (50 points) and

  • 2 elective subjects

Total 100 points. Subjects are 12.5 points each unless otherwise stated.
Subject Options: Compulsory subjects:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Thesis subject (one of):
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
37.500
Semester 1, Semester 2
50.000
Elective subjects available at the University of Melbourne:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.500
Semester 1
12.500
Semester 1
12.500
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.500
Elective subjects available from Australian National University (ANU)*:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.500
*Students wishing to take subjects offered by ANU are required to enrol on a Complementary Course basis. Please contact the Faculty of Arts for more information.
Entry Requirements:

The minimum entry requirement is:


• a four year Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant area of study with at least H2B (70%) average; or
• an undergraduate degree or equivalent in a relevant area of study with at least H2B (70%) average and two years of documented relevant professional experience.

Documented evidence of relevant professional experience:

Applicants seeking admission on the basis of an undergraduate degree and two years professional experience must provide the following documentation in support of their application:
• brief curriculum vitae, detailing work experience;
• contact details of two referees ;
• a covering letter outlining the applicants professional background and how this prepares them to successfully undertake the program.

In some cases, an interview and/or two reference letters from employers/managers detailing the period of employment and areas of responsibility, and/or evidence of written work or reports undertaken during the period of employment may be requested.

Admission process
Core Participation Requirements: -
Graduate Attributes: -
Generic Skills: -
Links to further information: http://www.philosophy.unimelb.edu.au/cappe

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