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CRS862

Applied Ethics

  • Arts
  • 800 level
  • 2 credit units
  • 124 pages
  • 14 units

This course introduces students to the fundamental principles and contemporary issues in applied ethics. It explores various ethical theories and their application to real-world dilemmas across diverse fields. Students will examine ethical challenges in areas such as human rights, bioethics, business, and the environment. The course aims to equip students with the critical thinking skills necessary to make informed and ethical decisions in complex situations.

About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
120 hours
Maths
None
Content
Theoretical, case study
Practical work
No
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor Marked Assignments
  • Final Examination

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

CRS862 · UNIT 1: INTRODUCING APPLIED ETHICS

(John Oakley 199; John Haldane 2003). Applied ethics examines the nature of moral challenges which we experience in the process of living our daily lives. Its concern per se is how to take decisions based on those ethical theories and principles.

What you should be able to do

  1. Apply ethical principles and theories to concrete situations.
  2. Analyze the major ethical challenges of our time.
  3. Take firm decisions in situations of ethical dilemma.
  4. Evaluate arguments for and against various ethical positions.
  5. Understand the historical and cultural context of ethical issues.
  6. Articulate a coherent ethical framework for decision-making.

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Policy Analyst
  • Ethics Officer
  • Healthcare Administrator
  • Business Consultant
  • Environmental Advocate
Where it is applied
  • Healthcare
  • Business
  • Government
  • Non-profit Organizations
  • Environmental Conservation

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 1: Ethical Principles and Rights Issues

    Unit 1: Introducing Applied Ethics

    The abstract nature of meta-ethics requires a high level of philosophical reasoning and critical thinking.

  • Module 2: Bioethical Issues

    Unit 1: Euthanasia

    Understanding the nuances of the double effect doctrine requires careful analysis and application to complex medical scenarios.

  • Module 1: Ethical Principles and Rights Issues

    Unit 4: War

    Theories of just war require nuanced understanding of international relations, moral philosophy, and historical context.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 28 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1: Ethical Principles and Rights Issues
    • Unit 1: Introducing Applied Ethics · 2 hours

      Read the unit introduction and objectives.. Study the meaning of ethics and its types.. Differentiate between normative, meta-ethics, and applied ethics.. Complete Self-Assessment Exercise 3.1: Distinguish between human acts and acts of man..

  2. Week 2Module 1: Ethical Principles and Rights Issues
    • Unit 1: Introducing Applied Ethics · 2 hours

      Study the major branches of applied ethics: bioethics, business ethics, and environmental ethics.. Trace the history of applied ethics.. Examine ethical principles and theories relevant to applied ethics.. Complete Self-Assessment Exercise 3.2: List three types of ethics..

  3. Week 3Module 1: Ethical Principles and Rights Issues
    • Unit 2: Human Rights to Life · 2 hours

      Define human rights and understand the concept of the right to life.. Explore dignity as the foundation of human right to life.. Examine the sources of human right to life.. Complete Self-Assessment Exercise 3.1: Discuss the implication of saying that human rights are both universal and inalienable..

  4. Week 4Module 1: Ethical Principles and Rights Issues
    • Unit 2: Human Rights to Life · 2 hours

      Understand the positive and negative concepts of the right to life.. Trace the history of human right to life.. Discuss instances where a person's right to life can be legitimately violated.. Complete Self-Assessment Exercise 3.2: List the two ways that the right to life is conceived..

  5. Week 5Module 1: Ethical Principles and Rights Issues
    • Unit 3: Terrorism · 2 hours

      Define terrorism and differentiate between its various forms.. Distinguish terrorism from related terms like sabotage and freedom fighting.. Examine the causes of terrorism.. Complete Self-Assessment Exercise 3.1: Define terrorism..

  6. Week 6Module 1: Ethical Principles and Rights Issues
    • Unit 3: Terrorism · 2 hours

      Explore arguments against terrorism.. Trace the history of terrorism.. Study the concept of war and the realist support for it.. Complete Self-Assessment Exercise 3.2: List the seven types of terrorism.

  7. Week 7Module 1: Ethical Principles and Rights Issues
    • Unit 4: War · 2 hours

      Understand the pacifist opposition to war.. Distinguish between a just and unjust war.. Examine the justice for going to war theory.. Complete Self-Assessment Exercise 3.1: What is war?.

  8. Week 8Module 2: Bioethical Issues
    • Unit 4: War · 2 hours

      Understand the justice in the conduct of war.. Define euthanasia and state its various types.. Present arguments for and against euthanasia.. Complete Self-Assessment Exercise 3.1: What is war?.

  9. Week 9Module 2: Bioethical Issues
    • Unit 1: Euthanasia · 2 hours

      Understand the meaning of euthanasia. State the various types of euthanasia. Present arguments for and against euthanasia. Complete Self-Assessment Exercise 3.1: Define euthanasia..

  10. Week 10Module 2: Bioethical Issues
    • Unit 2: Suicide · 2 hours

      Define suicide and differentiate between its types.. Know the causes of suicide and distinguish it from related terms.. Discuss the moral arguments for and against suicide.. Complete Self-Assessment Exercise 3.1: Demonstrate your understanding of the term suicide.

  11. Week 11Module 2: Bioethical Issues
    • Unit 3: Abortion · 2 hours

      Understand the meaning of abortion and distinguish between its types.. Trace how different traditions and ages view abortion.. Know why some women opt for abortion.. Complete Self-Assessment Exercise 3.1: What is abortion?.

  12. Week 12Module 2: Bioethical Issues
    • Unit 3: Abortion · 2 hours

      Assess arguments for and against abortion.. Define stem cell and distinguish the different types of stem cells.. Trace the history of stem cells research.. Complete Self-Assessment Exercise 3.1: What is abortion?.

    • Unit 4: Stem Cells Research and Therapy · 2 hours

      Present your own arguments in favor or against stem cells research and therapy..

  13. Week 13Module 2: Bioethical Issues
    • Unit 5: Cloning · 2 hours

      Know the meaning of cloning and understand the different methods of cloning.. Trace the history of cloning and consider the relational status of a clone.. Proffer arguments in support or opposition to cloning..

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Create detailed summaries of each unit, focusing on key concepts and arguments.
  • Develop case studies applying ethical theories to real-world scenarios.
  • Practice writing essays defending different ethical positions on controversial issues.
  • Review all Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs) and feedback.
  • Focus on understanding the core principles of each ethical theory and their practical implications.
  • Create concept maps linking different ethical theories and their applications.
  • Allocate study time proportionally based on the weight of each assessment component.
  • Form study groups to discuss and debate complex ethical dilemmas.
  • Review key definitions and terminology from each unit.
  • Practice answering past exam questions under timed conditions.

Questions students ask about this course

What is CRS862 about?

This course introduces students to the fundamental principles and contemporary issues in applied ethics. It explores various ethical theories and their application to real-world dilemmas across diverse fields. Students will examine ethical challenges in areas such as human rights, bioethics, business, and the environment. The course aims to equip students with the critical thinking skills necessary to make informed and ethical decisions in complex situations.

How many units does CRS862 have?

CRS862, Applied Ethics, has 14 units across 3 modules, over 124 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is CRS862?

CRS862 carries 2 credit units, at 800 level in Arts.

Is CRS862 hard?

CRS862 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.

How long does CRS862 take to study?

About 120 hours of study, spread across its 14 units.

How is CRS862 assessed?

CRS862 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assignments and Final Examination.

What can I do with CRS862?

Policy Analyst, Ethics Officer, Healthcare Administrator, Business Consultant and Environmental Advocate.

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