Contemporary Issues In Ethics
- Arts
- 300 level
- 2 credit units
- 114 pages
- 14 units
This course explores contemporary issues in ethics, focusing on moral values and their relevance in today's society. It examines ethical dimensions of topics such as technology transfer, biotechnology, capital punishment, abortion, euthanasia, and same-sex marriage. The course aims to provide students with a better understanding of the implications of these issues and their significance in their studies and lives.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 40 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study, problem solving
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of PHL321, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
PHL321 · UNIT 2: MEANING AND NATURE OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
It is, however, important to mention that the sense of punishment which is of moral concern is not the sense which speaks of the punishment of children, animal, maniacs, imbeciles and other categories of person who are not morally responsible for their actions since their condition presupposes that they are rationally defective (J. A. Aigbodioh, 2004:47).
What you should be able to do
- Understand contemporary ethical issues
- Analyze ethical dimensions of societal issues
- Apply philosophical discussions to ethical dilemmas
- Evaluate implications of ethical issues
- Understand relevance of ethical issues in studies
What it prepares you for
- Social Worker
- Counselor
- Policy Analyst
- Lawyer
- Ethicist
- Healthcare
- Law
- Government
- Non-profit
- Research
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 1: Capital Punishment
Unit 3: Theories of Punishment
Understanding the nuances between different theories requires careful analysis and application to real-world scenarios.
- Module 2: Abortion
Unit 3: Argument for and Against Abortion
Balancing the rights and moral considerations of the mother versus the potential life of the fetus requires complex ethical reasoning.
- Module 5:
Unit 3: Some Fundamental Principles of Ethics
Applying abstract ethical principles to complex, real-world situations demands critical thinking and nuanced judgment.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 45 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Capital Punishment
Unit 1: Defining Punishment · 3 hours
Define punishment and its elements. Differentiate between punishment and self-imposed discipline.
- Week 2Module 1: Capital Punishment
Unit 2: Meaning and nature of Capital Punishment · 3 hours
Distinguish capital punishment from other forms of punishment. Examine the moral questions surrounding capital punishment.
- Week 3Module 1: Capital Punishment
Unit 3: Theories of Punishment · 3 hours
Compare and contrast retributive, deterrence, preventive, and reformatory theories. Apply theories to specific cases.
- Week 4Module 1: Capital Punishment
Unit 4: Arguments for and against Capital Punishment · 3 hours
Analyze arguments for and against capital punishment. Evaluate the retentionist and abolitionist views.
- Week 5Module 2: Abortion
Unit 1: Meaning and Nature of Abortion · 3 hours
Define abortion and its various methods. Discuss the moral questions related to abortion.
- Week 6Module 2: Abortion
Unit 2: Views and Types of Abortion · 3 hours
Compare conservative, libertarian, and moderate views on abortion. Examine spontaneous, induced, and therapeutic abortion types.
- Week 7Module 2: Abortion
Unit 3: Argument for and Against Abortion · 3 hours
Analyze arguments for and against abortion. Evaluate pro-choice and pro-life positions.
- Week 8Module 3: Same Sex Marriage
Unit 1: Meaning and Nature of Same Sex Marriage · 3 hours
Define marriage and same-sex marriage. Explore the nature and history of same-sex marriage.
- Week 9Module 3: Same Sex Marriage
Unit 2: Arguments for and against Same Sex Marriage · 3 hours
Analyze arguments for and against same-sex marriage. Evaluate religious and secular perspectives.
- Week 10Module 4: Cloning
Unit 1: Understanding Cloning · 3 hours
Define cloning and its historical context. Differentiate between therapeutic, reproductive, and DNA cloning.
- Week 11Module 4: Cloning
Unit 2: Arguments for and Against Cloning · 3 hours
Analyze arguments for and against cloning. Evaluate ethical implications of cloning technologies.
- Week 12Module 5:
Unit 1: Is ethics a Science or an Art? · 3 hours
Examine the relationship between ethics and science. Differentiate between maximalist and minimalist views of science.
Unit 2: Assumption of Ethics · 3 hours
Explain the basic assumptions of ethics: freedom and responsibility. Discuss determinism and its implications for ethical decision-making.
- Week 13Module 5:
Unit 3: Some Fundamental Principles of Ethics · 3 hours
Identify and apply fundamental principles of ethics: autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. Analyze ethical dilemmas using these principles.
Unit 4: Ethics and Religion · 3 hours
Examine the relationship between ethics and religion. Evaluate the role of ethics in religious practice.
Preparing for the exam
- Create detailed outlines for each module, focusing on key arguments and counterarguments.
- Practice applying ethical theories to case studies, considering different perspectives.
- Develop concise definitions for key terms and concepts, such as autonomy, beneficence, and justice.
- Review and synthesize your notes from forum discussions and facilitation sessions.
- Allocate sufficient time for reviewing all course materials and completing practice questions.
Questions students ask about this course
What is PHL321 about?
This course explores contemporary issues in ethics, focusing on moral values and their relevance in today's society. It examines ethical dimensions of topics such as technology transfer, biotechnology, capital punishment, abortion, euthanasia, and same-sex marriage. The course aims to provide students with a better understanding of the implications of these issues and their significance in their studies and lives.
How many units does PHL321 have?
PHL321, Contemporary Issues In Ethics, has 14 units across 5 modules, over 114 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is PHL321?
PHL321 carries 2 credit units, at 300 level in Arts.
Is PHL321 hard?
PHL321 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, case study and problem solving work.
How long does PHL321 take to study?
About 40 hours of study, spread across its 14 units.
How is PHL321 assessed?
PHL321 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with PHL321?
Social Worker, Counselor, Policy Analyst, Lawyer and Ethicist.