Module: Readings in Ethics

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Readings in Ethics
Module Code	PHE1031 (ITS: TP517)
Faculty	Theology, Philosophy & Music	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

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	10	Reading and assignments
Independent Study	2.1	No Description
Online activity	5	No Description
Total Workload: 36.1

Section Breakdown
CRN	20879	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Bert Gordijn	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Essay	In-depth analysis of one particular issue relating to one of the readings	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Indicative Reading List

Books:

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,

Articles:

Gertrude Elizabeth Margaret Anscombe: 1958, Modern moral philosophy, Philosophy, 33, 1-19, http://www.pitt.edu/~mthompso/readings/mmp.pdf, 60732
1996: Normative Virtue Ethics, https://www.dascolihum.com/uploads/CH_44_Hursthouse_Right_Action.pdf,

Other Resources

None