PY1011 Moral and Political Controversies

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

20

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 7

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

5.00 pm - 6.00 pm Mon, Tue, Thu

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr B A Sachs-Cobbe

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Team taught

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

Philosophy has often been said to begin with the question 'how ought we to live?' This module introduces students to fundamental questions and problems in moral philosophy (how should we live? What ought we to do? What is it to be a good human being?) and in political philosophy (how ought we to live together?). In moral philosophy we will look at both applied ethics (exploring particular moral issues, such as our obligations to those in severe need, and our treatment of non-human animals) and normative ethics (exploring theoretical approaches to tackling such issues, for example utilitarian, Kantian and virtue ethics). In political philosophy, we will explore central concepts such as liberty, equality, and democracy, and consider the extent to which we should give up some of our freedom in exchange for the protection of the state.

Relationship to other modules

Anti-requisites

YOU CANNOT TAKE THIS MODULE IF YOU TAKE PY1105 OR TAKE PY1106 OR TAKE PY1801 OR TAKE PY1901

Assessment pattern

100% Coursework

Re-assessment

100% Coursework: 3500 word 1wk Take Home Assignment

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

3 lectures and 1 tutorial.

Scheduled learning hours

39

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

161

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Have a good critical understanding of the complexities of the moral and political questions addressed, and of various approaches that have been taken in moral and political theorising
  • Analyse and evaluate critical discussion of these issues in recent and contemporary literature
  • Formulate and articulate their own views on these issues
  • Provide a rational defence of these views in written work and in discussion