CULT 2005 Ethics in the Social Sciences

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Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 101555

Coordinator Kathleen Openshaw Opens in new window

Description This unit introduces students to the nature of western ethics and moral discourses, to ethical methodology and to the possibilities and limits of ethical discourse and practice. It covers the history of the formalisation of ethics as well as its current philosophical, sociological, and professional dimensions. It also deals with various case studies of ethical issues and moral debates students may encounter in their everyday day and professional lives. Students will be invited to reflect on moral discourse(s), their own understanding of morality, and on the use of ethics for social justice and fairness.

School Social Sciences

Discipline Society and Culture, Not Elsewhere Classified.

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

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Level Undergraduate Level 2 subject

Restrictions Successful completion of 40 credit points. This restriction does not apply to students enrolled in program 1874 Postgraduate Bridging Program (Social Work).

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

Apply skills in reflexivity to an understanding of everyday lives and social actions
Demonstrate how ethics are constructed, understood, and applied in everyday life and in a social structure
Identify the significance of key ethical concepts in the context of social justice and social fairness
Articulate the connections between historical and philosophical developments in ethics and their applications to contemporary ethical practice

Subject Content

History of ethics and moral philosophy
Theoretical frameworks (Consequentialism, Deontology, Virtue Ethics)
Personal and professional ethical frameworks
Applied ethics (Honesty & fidelity, sexual & personal relationships, health & medicine, environment & sustainability)

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.