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Module Catalogue

PH149-15 Key Debates in Moral and Political Philosophy

Department
Philosophy
Level
Undergraduate Level 1
Module leader
Nadine Elzein
Credit value
15
Module duration
10 weeks
Assessment
Multiple
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

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Introductory description

PH149 - Key Debates in Moral and Political Philosophy

Module aims

The aim of this module is to introduce you to fundamental concepts and theories in moral and political philosophy. The module will use classic texts as a launchpad to exploring debates in contemporary moral and political philosophy.

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.

  1. Moral Philosophy (weeks 1 – 5)
    This part of the module will be based on Mill’s Utilitarianism and explore questions such as the following, for example:
    What is the highest good?
    What is the right thing to do?
    The demandingness of morality
    Moral integrity
    Disagreeing about moral value
  2. Political Philosophy (weeks 7 – 10)
    This part of the module will be based on Hobbes’ Leviathan and explore questions such as the following, for example:
    What would the world be like without states?
    When is political authority legitimate?
    Should we always obey political authorities?
    Are states inherently unjust?

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • At the end of the module, you should have a good understanding of key debates in moral and political philosophy.
  • At the end of the module, you should be able to use some of the main concepts that moral and political philosophers have used to analyse how we should live and how we should live together.

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Subject specific skills

TBC

Transferable skills

TBC

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 9 sessions of 2 hours (12%)
Seminars 9 sessions of 1 hour (6%)
Private study 123 hours (82%)
Total 150 hours

Private study description

No private study requirements defined for this module.

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.

Assessment group D4
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
Assessed Writing Exercise (20%) 20% Yes (extension)

This assessment will have two parts. The student is asked to choose one paper from a list of essential readings and to do the following two things:

  1. In 500 words, give a summary of this paper. Describe in your own words, without relying too heavily on quotes what the author is saying.
  2. In 500 words, provide a critical evaluation of the argument.
    This will be supplemented with more notes on Moodle explaining what we want to see in each part of the assessment.
2 hour exam 80% No
  • Answerbook Pink (12 page)
Assessment group R1
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
2 hour exam 100% No
  • Answerbook Pink (12 page)
Feedback on assessment

Feedback on essays will be provided on Tabula, addressing standard areas of evaluation and individual content. Feedback on exams will be available in the form of an examiners’ report.

Past exam papers for PH149

Anti-requisite modules

If you take this module, you cannot also take:

  • PH133-30 Introduction to Philosophy
  • PH134-30 Introduction to Philosophy Without Logic

Courses

This module is Core for:

  • Year 1 of UPHA-VL78 BA in Philosophy with Psychology
  • Year 1 of UHIA-V1V5 Undergraduate History and Philosophy
  • UMAA-GV17 Undergraduate Mathematics and Philosophy
    • Year 1 of GV17 Mathematics and Philosophy
    • Year 1 of GV17 Mathematics and Philosophy
    • Year 1 of GV17 Mathematics and Philosophy
  • UPHA-V700 Undergraduate Philosophy
    • Year 1 of V700 Philosophy
    • Year 1 of V700 Philosophy

This module is Optional for:

  • UIPA-V5L8 Undergraduate Philosophy and Global Sustainable Development
    • Year 1 of V5L8 Philosophy and Global Sustainable Development
    • Year 1 of V5L8 Philosophy and Global Sustainable Development