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  2. Philosophy, Knowledge and Ethics [SWK1102]

School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Philosophy, Knowledge and Ethics

  • Unit Code

    SWK1102

  • Year

    2016

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

This unit introduces students to a range of western and contemporary ethical philosophies. The unit will focus on knowledge (epistemology) as well as a range of ethical theories and positions derived from philosophical thinking. This unit will examine these various and competing philosophical perspectives in relation to a range of ethical dilemmas, as well as broader issues such as social justice, and existentialism. The unit will encourage students to think critically about philosophical problems in contemporary society.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an introductory understanding of the historical development of Western philosophy of ethics, including some of the core philosophical ideas, philosophers, contributions and debates during this development.
  2. Describe a range of philosophical views as they pertain to moral philosophy.
  3. Identify and articulate an understanding of the diversity in philosophical and ethical thought, and how this translates into competing views on a range of contemporary social issues.
  4. Understand the basic formation of arguments, fallacies and skills used philosophical reasoning and debate.

Unit Content

  1. Arguments and fallacies.
  2. Critical thinking.
  3. Deontology.
  4. Evidence and reasoning in arguments.
  5. Existentialism.
  6. Social justice.
  7. The development of philosophy in the Western tradition.
  8. Utilitarianism.
  9. Virtue.

Additional Learning Experience Information

On-Campus: Lectures and tutorials. Off-Campus: Online delivery.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentAssessment 1: Learning portfolio40%
AssignmentAssessment 2: Learning statement20%
EssayAssessment 3: Essay40%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentAssessment 1: Learning portfolio40%
AssignmentAssessment 2: Learning statement20%
EssayAssessment 3: Essay40%

Text References

  • Preston, N. (2000). Understanding ethics. (2nd ed.). Leichhardt, N.S.W.: Federation Press.
  • Rachels, J. (1997). Can ethics provide answers?: And other essays in moral philosophy. Lanham, Md: Rowman & Littlefield Inc.
  • Gupta, B. & Mohanty, J.N. (eds) (1999). Philosophical questions: East & west. Blackwell Publishers.
  • Singer, P. (1993). How are we to live?: Ethics in an age of self interest. Melbourne: Text Publishing.
  • Singer, P. (Ed.). (1986). Applied ethics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • Morton, A. (2004). Philosophy in practice: An introduction to the main questions Malden, MA: Blackwell.
  • Sterba, J.P. (Ed.). (2001). Social and political philosophy: Contemporary perspectives. London: Routledge.
  • Mautner, T. (2000). The Penguin dictionary of philosophy. London: Dorling Kindersley.
  • Bunnin, N. & Tsui-James, E.P. (Eds.). (1996). The Blackwell companion to philosophy. Cambridge: Blackwell Publishers.
  • Solomon, R.C. (1996). A short history of philosophy. New York: Oxford University Press.

Journal References

  • Philosophy: the Journal of the Royal Institute of Philosophy
  • Philosophy East & West
  • Social Epistemology
  • Philosophy Today
  • Philosophy and Public Affairs
  • Expanded Academic
  • Philosophical Quarterly
  • Routledge Encyclopaedia of Philosophy
  • Ethics
  • Ethics and Behaviour
  • Philosophers Index
  • Philosophy of the Social Sciences

Website References

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SWK1102|1|1

School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Philosophy, Knowledge and Ethics

  • Unit Code

    SWK1102

  • Year

    2016

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

This unit introduces students to a range of western and contemporary ethical philosophies. The unit will focus on knowledge (epistemology) as well as a range of ethical theories and positions derived from philosophical thinking. This unit will examine these various and competing philosophical perspectives in relation to a range of ethical dilemmas, as well as broader issues such as social justice, and existentialism. The unit will encourage students to think critically about philosophical problems in contemporary society.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an introductory understanding of the historical development of Western philosophy of ethics, including some of the core philosophical ideas, philosophers, contributions and debates during this development.
  2. Describe a range of philosophical views as they pertain to moral philosophy.
  3. Identify and articulate an understanding of the diversity in philosophical and ethical thought, and how this translates into competing views on a range of contemporary social issues.
  4. Understand the basic formation of arguments, fallacies and skills used philosophical reasoning and debate.

Unit Content

  1. Arguments and fallacies.
  2. Critical thinking.
  3. Deontology.
  4. Evidence and reasoning in arguments.
  5. Existentialism.
  6. Social justice.
  7. The development of philosophy in the Western tradition.
  8. Utilitarianism.
  9. Virtue.

Additional Learning Experience Information

On-Campus: Lectures and tutorials. Off-Campus: Online delivery.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentAssessment 1: Learning portfolio40%
AssignmentAssessment 2: Learning statement20%
EssayAssessment 3: Essay40%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentAssessment 1: Learning portfolio40%
AssignmentAssessment 2: Learning statement20%
EssayAssessment 3: Essay40%

Text References

  • Rachels, J. (1997). Can ethics provide answers?: And other essays in moral philosophy. Lanham, Md: Rowman & Littlefield Inc.
  • Singer, P. (1993). How are we to live?: Ethics in an age of self interest. Melbourne: Text Publishing.
  • Singer, P. (Ed.). (1986). Applied ethics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • Morton, A. (2004). Philosophy in practice: An introduction to the main questions Malden, MA: Blackwell.
  • Preston, N. (2000). Understanding ethics. (2nd ed.). Leichhardt, N.S.W.: Federation Press.
  • Mautner, T. (2000). The Penguin dictionary of philosophy. London: Dorling Kindersley.
  • Bunnin, N. & Tsui-James, E.P. (Eds.). (1996). The Blackwell companion to philosophy. Cambridge: Blackwell Publishers.
  • Solomon, R.C. (1996). A short history of philosophy. New York: Oxford University Press.
  • Gupta, B. & Mohanty, J.N. (eds) (1999). Philosophical questions: East & west. Blackwell Publishers.
  • Sterba, J.P. (Ed.). (2001). Social and political philosophy: Contemporary perspectives. London: Routledge.

Journal References

  • Philosophy Today
  • Social Epistemology
  • Philosophy East & West
  • Philosophy: the Journal of the Royal Institute of Philosophy
  • Philosophy and Public Affairs
  • Philosophy of the Social Sciences
  • Philosophical Quarterly
  • Routledge Encyclopaedia of Philosophy
  • Ethics
  • Ethics and Behaviour
  • Philosophers Index
  • Expanded Academic

Website References

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SWK1102|1|2