THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2024/2025

Timetable information in the Course Catalogue may be subject to change.

University Homepage
DRPS Homepage
DRPS Search
DRPS Contact
DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences : Philosophy

Undergraduate Course: Applied Ethics (PHIL10017)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryApplied ethics covers a wide range of topics and issues. In general, it concerns the close consideration of cases, actual or possible, with regard to particular ethical issues and problems. Sometimes applied ethics proceeds by applying particular normative ethical theories to these cases, and sometimes the cases and ethical issues raised are considered more directly. Year-on-year the precise focus of the course may change. Examples of Specific areas of applied ethics include medical ethics, bioethics, environmental ethics, ethics of technology, business ethics, engineering ethics, and personal relationships.


Course description Applied ethics examines ethical issues that arise within a wide range of contexts (medical, financial/business, social, technological, personal, legal, environmental). Examples of areas that we may consider particular issues from include climate change, data ethics, robot ethics, bioethics and personal relationships. We explore these issues from the perspective of philosophical ethics, analyzing the problems and critically evaluating various possible solutions.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Students MUST have passed: Knowledge and Reality (PHIL08017) AND Mind, Matter and Language (PHIL08014)
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements Students studying on MA Cognitive Science (Humanities) are permitted to take this course without having met the pre-requisites of Mind, Matter and Language (PHIL08014) and Knowledge and Reality (PHIL08014). However, it is advisable that students discuss the suitability of the course with their PT and the course organiser before enrolling.
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesVisiting students should have completed at least 3 Philosophy courses at grade B or above. We will only consider University/College level courses. Applicants should note that, as with other popular courses, meeting the minimum does NOT guarantee admission. **Please note that 3rd year Philosophy courses are high-demand, meaning that they have a very high number of students wishing to enrol in a very limited number of spaces.** These enrolments are managed strictly by the Visiting Student Office, in line with the quotas allocated by the department, and all enquiries to enrol in these courses must be made through the CAHSS Visiting Student Office. It is not appropriate for students to contact the department directly to request additional spaces.
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2024/25, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  0
Course Start Semester 2
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Seminar/Tutorial Hours 32, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 164 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) First midterm essay (35%) 1,500 words
Second midterm essay (35%) 1,500 words
Final revised essay (30%) 2,500 words
Feedback Not entered
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Explain key issues and controversies in applied ethics.
  2. Explain and critically analyse key theories and arguments in applied ethics.
  3. Understand and explicate the relation between issues in applied ethics and other areas of philosophy.
  4. Explain and justify their views on various applied ethical issues.
Reading List
None
Additional Information
Course URL http://www.philosophy.ed.ac.uk
Graduate Attributes and Skills Applied Ethics is the sub-discipline of moral philosophy that investigates the ethics of particular policies, practices, or actions. Through lectures and tutorials, students will learn how to apply ethical principles to cases, as well as assessing principles in light of cases. Students will come to understand the sources of disagreements within applied ethics and identify the range of ethical values that underlie positions in applied ethics. Writing assignments will enable students to reflect on their own ethical views and develop the ability to defend those views, especially in response to prospective objections.

Core skills gained or developed on this course:
Being open to different perspectives; Challenging own perspectives and assumptions; Critical analysis and evaluation; Ethics and research ethics; Group work (delegation, influencing, conflict resolution, motivating others, taking responsibility); Problem solving; Academic reading skills; Self-reflection; Written communication; Writing clearly and concisely; Understanding broader perspectives; Oral communication (discussion, debating respectfully, influencing); Evaluating principles.
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserProf Michael Cholbi
Tel:
Email: mcholbi@exseed.ed.ac.uk
Course secretary
Navigation
Help & Information
Home
Introduction
Glossary
Search DPTs and Courses
Regulations
Regulations
Degree Programmes
Introduction
Browse DPTs
Courses
Introduction
Humanities and Social Science
Science and Engineering
Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Other Information
Combined Course Timetable
Prospectuses
Important Information