Ethical Theory

Subject PHIL20008 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 2 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

Standard

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Thirty-two contact hours per semester: two 1-hour lectures per week for the first 11 weeks and a 1-hour tutorial per week beginning the third week of semester
Total Time Commitment: an average of 8.5 hours each week
Prerequisites: At least one first-year single-semester philosophy subject, or permission from the Head of School or subject coordinator.
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: There is no specific background knowledge required for enrolment in this subject.
Non Allowed Subjects:

Students who have completed the following 2nd and 3rd level subjects are not permitted to enrol in this subject:

161-007 Great Thinkers in Moral Philosophy

672-334 Great Thinkers in Moral Philosophy

Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website : http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Dr Karen Jones

Contact

Dr Karen Jones

jonek@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject critically studies the three classical approaches to moral philosophy: Aristotle"s virtue ethics, Immanuel Kant"s deontology, and John Stuart Mill"s Utilitarianism. As well as examining works by these great thinkers, we look at debates among the contemporary heirs to the traditions they started.

Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this subject will

  • have developed an understanding of the main approaches to the nature of morality.
  • understand the historical antecedents to important contemporary approaches to the nature of morality.
  • be able to think critically about, and to evaluate, the philosophical cogency of those views.
  • have acquired a background for their own further philosophical reflection on morality.
Assessment: A written assignment of 2000 words 50% (due mid-semester), a 2-hour closed-book written examination 47% (held at the end of semester) and tutorial participation 3%.
Prescribed Texts:

A subject reader will be available from the bookshop at the start of semester.
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • develop skills in critical thinking and analysis.
  • have improved their ability to think in theoretical terms.
  • develop skills in written communication.
Links to further information: http://www.philosophy.unimelb.edu.au/
Notes: This subject satisfies the third-year breadth requirement for third-year students in the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Biomedicine when taken in 2010 only.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: European Studies
Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy Major
Philosophy and Social Theory

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