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.

Please note that given the circumstances of COVID-19, there may be some modifications to the assessment schedule promoted in Handbook for Semester 1 2020 Units. Students will be notified of all approved modifications by Unit Coordinators via email and Unit Blackboard sites. Where changes have been made, these are designed to ensure that you still meet the unit learning outcomes in the context of our adjusted teaching and learning arrangements.

  • Unit Title

    Philosophy, Knowledge and Ethics
  • Unit Code

    SWK1102
  • Year

    2020
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Susan BAILEY

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.

Learning Experience

ON-CAMPUS

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU Blackboard.

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 2Not OfferedNot Offered13 x 1 hour lecture
Semester 2Not OfferedNot Offered13 x 2 hour tutorial

For more information see the Semester Timetable

ONLINE

Students will engage in learning experiences through ECU Blackboard as well as additional ECU learning technologies.

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%

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.

Please note that given the circumstances of COVID-19, there may be some modifications to the assessment schedule promoted in Handbook for this unit. All assessment changes will be published by 27 July 2020. All students are reminded to check handbook at the beginning of semester to ensure they have the correct outline.

  • Unit Title

    Philosophy, Knowledge and Ethics
  • Unit Code

    SWK1102
  • Year

    2020
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Susan BAILEY

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.

Learning Experience

ON-CAMPUS

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU Blackboard.

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 2Not OfferedNot Offered13 x 1 hour lecture
Semester 2Not OfferedNot Offered13 x 2 hour tutorial

For more information see the Semester Timetable

ONLINE

Students will engage in learning experiences through ECU Blackboard as well as additional ECU learning technologies.

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%

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