Module: Readings in Ethics

Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Readings in Ethics
Module Code	TP517A
School	59
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Bert Gordijn Semester 2: Bert Gordijn Autumn: Bert Gordijn
Module Teachers	Bert Gordijn
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Coursework Only
Submission of a new paper

Description

Intimate acquaintance with some of the major primary ethics texts leads to a better understanding of and more confidence in dealing with ethical issues in general. The purpose of this module is to introduce students to a selection of classic texts in the field of ethics thereby providing a more in-depth examination of the texts that are at the source of the major ethical theories covered in Eth5A (Introduction to Ethics). Students are invited to study and discuss excerpts of original texts crucial for the development of the main ethical theories. In this way, they broaden their understanding of contemporary ethics and its historical development. In addition, students enhance their skills in critical reading and assessing ethical theories. Attendance, active contribution to classes and engagement in discussions are expected. Finally, students are encouraged to examine one particular issue in depth in a paper.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an intimate acquaintance and a critical understanding of a selection of classic texts in the field of ethics.
2. Display a critical awareness of the historical development of a selection of major ethical theories.
3. Apply skills in critical reading and assessing ethical theories.
4. Give evidence of profound background knowledge of one of the readings and provide an in-depth analysis of one particular issue that arises against this background by completion of a paper.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	2	No Description
Assignment Completion	7	No Description
Class Presentation	10	Preparation
Independent Study	12.1	Reading and assignments
Online activity	5	No Description
Total Workload: 36.1

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

Plato
Protagoras (c. 390 BC)

Aristotle
Nicomachean Ethics (c. 350 BC)

John Locke
Second Treatise of Government (1690)

Immanuel Kant
Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals (1785)

Jeremy Bentham
An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation (1789)

Mary Wollstonecraft
A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792)

John Stuart Mill
Utilitarianism (1861)

Gertrude Elizabeth Margaret Anscombe
Modern moral philosophy. Philosophy, 33(124), 1-19 (1958)

Rosalind Hursthouse
"Normative Virtue Ethics", in Roger Crisp (ed.), How Should One Live? (Oxford University Press, 1996), 19–33

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Essay	In-depth analysis of one particular issue relating to one of the readings	80%	n/a
Participation	Active and constructive engagement during module	20%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Plato: 0, Protagoras, http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/protagoras.html,
Aristotle: 0, Nicomachean Ethics, http://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/nicomachaen.html,
John Locke: 0, Second Treatise of Government, http://www.earlymoderntexts.com/assets/pdfs/locke1689a.pdf,
Immanuel Kant: 0, Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals, http://www.earlymoderntexts.com/assets/pdfs/kant1785.pdf,
Jeremy Bentham: 0, An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation, http://www.earlymoderntexts.com/assets/pdfs/bentham1780.pdf,
Mary Wollstonecraft: 0, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, http://www.earlymoderntexts.com/assets/pdfs/wollstonecraft1792.pdf,
John Stuart Mill: 0, Utilitarianism, http://www.earlymoderntexts.com/assets/pdfs/mill1863.pdf,

Other Resources

None

Programme or List of Programmes

MAETCR	MA in Ethics: Corporate Responsibility
MAETH	MA in Ethics

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