Module: Environmental Philosophy

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Environmental Philosophy
Module Code	TP328 (ITS) / PHE1027 (Banner)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	Theology, Philosophy & Music
Module Co-ordinator	-
Module Teachers	-
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

None

Description

This module will introduce students to environmental philosophy, providing them with a critical understanding of the ontological, political and ethical issues surrounding the environment . The topics to be studied in the module cover the major issues of environmental philosophy: theories of Nature, the Anthropocene, intrinsic value and inherent value in nature, animal consciousness and rights, human rights and the environment, the ethics of over-population, consumerism and mass-extinction, holism and atomism, future generations, distribution of harms and benefits, geoengineering, food systems, solutions, mitigation. These issues are the most pressing issues confronting humanity in the 21st century. Students taking the module will gain an understanding of the philosophical concepts framing our relationship with the environment. Students will gain an understanding of the cutting edge ontological and ethical issues raised by climate change, extinction risks, and over-population. Students are expected to attend and contribute to lectures, and to engage with the recommended texts and readings as they progress through the module.

Learning Outcomes

1. On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to: 1. comprehend central issues and themes in the history of environmental philosophy 2. construct arguments using the conceptual tools of environmental philosophy and apply these arguments to contemporary issues 3. understand the wider natural, generational, social, political and cultural significance of these issues and themes 4. engage in critical analysis and interpretation of important philosophical texts 5. Distinguish the principle positions in environmental philosophy, 6. Evaluate and independently assess key conceptual ideas and movements in environmental philosophy, 7. communicate the meaning and evolution

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Attending Lectures
Independent Study	23	Independent Learning/CA Preparation
Independent Study	48	Weekly Readings
Independent Study	30	Examination Preparation
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Philosophical Readings
Readings will consist of philosophical works relating to climate change, non-human animals, and humanity's relationship with the rest of nature.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Assignment	Two Philosophical essays will be required. The first will be worth 35% and the second 65%	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Mary Midgley: 1978, Beast and Man, 1st, Routledge, London,
Peter Singer: 2011, The Expanding Circle, Princeton University Press, 9780691150697

Other Resources

None