Theories of a Good Life: Introduction to Ethics

RELT10772 Theories of a Good Life: Introduction to Ethics 20 Semester 2 Undergraduate Level 1 Andrew Boakye Unit coordinator Religions & Theology 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' First part HE study/Bachelors ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 10.0 In this course students will be learning about various theories of moral behavior and ethical reasoning. The course, in its first part weeks 1-7), is based on classic texts in ethics and moral philosophy from Aristotle to Nietzsche. In the second part (weeks 8-11) contemporary ethical issues in moral philosophy will be discussed. Overall, we will explore various theories of what a Good Life is. In this course students will be learning about various theories of moral behavior and ethical reasoning. The course, in its first part weeks 1-7), is based on classic texts in ethics and moral philosophy from Aristotle to Nietzsche. In the second part (weeks 8-11) contemporary ethical issues in moral philosophy will be discussed. Overall, we will explore various theories of what a Good Life is. <ol> <li> The course is designed to give a substantial overview of ethical theories and discourses of moral justification.</li> <li> The course will create awareness of the changes in moral reasoning from the classic period to present day.</li> <li> The course provides a substantial theoretical basis for contemporary ethical and moral debates.</li></ol> <ul> <li> Students will be introduced to classic primary texts from Aristotle to Agamben. Thereby hermeneutical skills will be developed.</li> <li> The course will provide philosophical and theological tools to address contemporary ethical issues within their wider historical and intellectual dimensions.</li> <li> To be informed about different traditions of ethical reasoning.</li> <li> To learn about main schools of practical philosophy concerning ethics</li> </ul> <ul> <li> Key philosophical terms will be acquired (eg. teleological versus deontological ethics, Verantwortungshaltung and Gesinnungshaltung, eudaimonia / happiness), duty and necessity, contractualism, ethics of virtues and utilitarianism.</li> <li> To discern moral arguments in relation to contemporary debates (eg. the tension between morality and politics, concrete debates as assisted suicide, abortion, right to resistance).</li> <li> To discern between primary and secondary texts critically.</li> <li> To understand and classify different discourses on ethical reasoning.</li> </ul> <ul> <li> To be able to present complex ethical issues within an accredited intellectual context.</li> <li> Enhance individual performance skills.</li> </ul> This course will enable students to seek a career in Journalism, NGOs, NPOs, faith-based communities/churches and law wherever a profound training in ethics and religion on a philosophical and academic basis is deemed to be an important prerequisite. ¿ To frame critical and constructive arguments concerning ethical debates. ¿ To explain and contextualise contemporary ethical concerns. ¿ To understand and evaluate competing points of view. The first part of this unit is based on Alasdair MacIntyre’s  book: A short history of Ethics : A History of Moral Philosophy from the Homeric Age to the 20th Century (London: Routledge Classics, 2002 [1967]). The following topics will be covered on the unit overall: <ul> <li> Nicomachean Ethics</li> <li> Ethics of Peace: Christianity</li> <li> Ethical Theories of the Enlightenment</li> <li> German Idealism</li> <li> A Prelude to Modernity: Nietzsche and Kierkegaard</li> <li> Life and Death</li> <li> The Body</li> <li> Rule and Exception</li> </ul> 11x 2hours lecture (PowerPoint based, followed by an interactive Q&A session)11x 1 (2) seminar based on students presentation of the set text and followed by peer feedback lead by the tutor on the presentation.Additional handouts, texts and other material will be supplied by the course unit director in due course. 0 Other 100% <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width:274px;"> Assessment task</td> <td style="width:115px;"> Formative or Summative</td> <td style="width:124px;"> Length</td> <td style="width:143px;"> Weighting within unit (if summative)</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:274px;"> Essay</td> <td style="width:115px;"> Summative</td> <td style="width:124px;"> 2000 words</td> <td style="width:143px;"> 40%</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:274px;"> Exam</td> <td style="width:115px;"> Summative</td> <td style="width:124px;"> 1.5 hr</td> <td style="width:143px;"> 60%</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:274px;"> Group presentation</td> <td style="width:115px;"> Formative</td> <td style="width:124px;"> 10 mins</td> <td style="width:143px;"> 0%</td> </tr> </tbody></table>  <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width:662px;" width="662"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width:321px;height:22px;"> Feedback method</td> <td style="width:340px;height:22px;"> Formative or Summative</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:321px;"> Oral feedback on group presentations</td> <td style="width:340px;"> Formative</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:321px;"> Written feedback on essay</td> <td style="width:340px;"> Summative</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:321px;height:7px;"> Written feedback on exam</td> <td style="width:340px;height:7px;"> Summative</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:321px;height:7px;"> Additional one-to-one feedback during consultation hours</td> <td style="width:340px;height:7px;"> Formative</td> </tr> </tbody></table>  Y Compulsory readings:<ol> <li> McIntyre, Alasdair. A short history of Ethics: A History of Moral Philosophy from the Homeric Age to the 20th Century (London: Routledge Classics, 2002 [1967]).</li> <li> Seneca, De vita beata (online version in English at <a href="https://archive.org/details/senecasmoralsah01senegoog">https://archive.org/details/senecasmoralsah01senegoog</a>, pp. 125-306.</li></ol>Suggested Readings:First Part (weeks 1-7)- Deigh, John. An Introduction to Ethics (Cambridge: Cambridge Introduction to Philosophy, 2010).- Blackburn, Simon. Ethics. A Very Short Introduction (Oxford: OUP, 2003).Second Part (weeks 8-11)- Amery, Jean. On Suicide. A discourse on Voluntary Death (Indiana: Indiana University Press, 1999)- Arendt, Hannah. Love and Saint Augustine (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1998 [1929]).- Foucault, Michel. History of Sexuality. Vol 1-3 (London: Penguin, 1998).- Hessel, Stephane. Time for Outrage (London: Quartet Books, 2011). Lectures 22 Seminars 11 0 167 A full course unit description can be found in MyManchester.