PH9E3-30 Topics in Moral and Political Philosophy
Introductory description
PH9E3 Topics in Moral and Political Philosophy
Module aims
The module will offer a critical engagement with key debates in moral and political philosophy. We will address a number of questions relating to moral psychology and meta-ethics as well as examining a range of issues relating to responsibility, retribution and freedom, the moral authority of the law, and the fair distribution of property. We will ask what constitutes the basis of moral obligations and moral responsibility and how the authority of the state is supposed to connect individuals and actions.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
Illustrative Syllabus
Week 1. Self-interest & Motivation:
Week 2. Duty & the Problem of Moral Motivation:
Week 3. Mind-Dependence, Subjectivism & Non-Cognitivism:
Week 4. Moral Truth & Objectivity:
Week 5. Free Will & Moral Responsibility:
Week 6. Reading Week:
Week 7. Crime, Punishment & Retribution:
Week 8. Political Obligation & the Authority of the Law:
Week 9. Positive & Negative Liberty:
Week 10. Property Rights & Distribution:
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- By the end of the module the student should have a systematic understanding and knowledge of key contemporary debates in moral and political philosophy, and the major methodological and conceptual issues at stake in them.
- By the end of the module the student should be able to participate in debate on an important set of issues in contemporary moral and political philosophy, and to articulate arguments and criticisms in an insightful, original, and productive way
- By the end of the module the student should be able to analyse and critically evaluate different theories and arguments presented in current research, and come to an independent assessment of their relative merits; to be able to critically evaluate different methodological approaches in these debates.
Indicative reading list
Reading lists can be found in Talis
Specific reading list for the module
Subject specific skills
TBC
Transferable skills
TBC
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 9 sessions of 1 hour (3%) |
| Seminars | 9 sessions of 1 hour (3%) |
| Private study | 282 hours (94%) |
| Total | 300 hours |
Private study description
No private study requirements defined for this module.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.
Assessment group A3
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment component |
|||
| 7500 word essay | 100% | Yes (extension) | |
Reassessment component is the same |
|||
Feedback on assessment
Feedback on essays will be provided on the coversheet for the essay, addressing standard areas
of evaluation and individual content.
Courses
This module is Option list A for:
-
TPHA-V7PN Postgraduate Taught Philosophy and the Arts
- Year 1 of V7PN Philosophy and the Arts
- Year 2 of V7PN Philosophy and the Arts