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Unit of study_

BETH5101: Moral Theory

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Participants in this Unit of Study (UoS) will develop the foundational knowledge of moral theory necessary to engage in advanced analyses of issues in health ethics. This course is arranged around three types of moral thinking: consequentialist, non-consequentialist, and theory-neutral positions. We will explore each of these. In so doing, we will read a combination of classic texts and recent articles that provide an introduction to theoretical frameworks such as virtue ethics, deontology, and utilitarianism. We will also become familiar with critical and contemporary approaches to ethical thinking, such as egalitarianism, the capabilities approach, feminist ethics, and principle-based ethics. In addition to gaining an understanding of these theories and approaches, students in this UoS will consider a variety of topics pertinent to current ethical debates, including cultural relativism, universalism in ethics, difference, power, and oppression.

Unit details and rules

Unit code BETH5101
Academic unit Public Health
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Diego Silva, diego.silva@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Exegesis Assignment #1
Critical analysis of assigned text
25% Week 04
Due date: 11 Mar 2024 at 23:59
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment Exegesis Assignment #2
Critical analysis of assigned text
25% Week 08
Due date: 15 Apr 2024 at 23:59
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Assignment Major Essay
Argumentative essay
50% Week 13
Due date: 20 May 2024 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

See Canvas site

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Meets all learning objectives to exceptional standard, excellent understanding of material.

Distinction

75 - 84

Meets all learning objectives, very good understanding of material.

Credit

65 - 74

Meets learning objectives well, good understanding of material.

Pass

50 - 64

Meets some learning objectives, but obvious understanding of material.

Fail

0 - 49

Does not meet learning objectives of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

See Canvas site

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Here’s Why You’re Wrong: An Introduction to Moral Theory Lecture and tutorial (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 02 So Many (Normative) Reasons to be Ethical Lecture and tutorial (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 03 Who’s Reasons Count? Lecture and tutorial (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 04 Hold My Beer: An Analysis of Moral Responsibility Lecture and tutorial (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 05 Crockett and Tubbs Return in... Miami Virtue! Lecture and tutorial (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 06 What a Pleasure it is to Study Utilitarianism Lecture and tutorial (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 07 Perfectionism: The Teacher’s Pet of Ethical Theories Lecture and tutorial (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 08 Deontology, aka, The Study of Deons Lecture and tutorial (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 10 Liberté, égalité, fraternité – mais pour qui? Lecture and tutorial (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 11 Why Famine is Bad... or Wrong... or Both? Lecture and tutorial (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 12 Take a Chance on Me! Est-ABBA-lishing Justified Risk-Taking Lecture and tutorial (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 13 Principals, Principles, and Principlism Lecture and tutorial (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3

Attendance and class requirements

Seminar attendance is required if studying synchronously, and very highly recommended if studying asynchronously.

Students enrolled online are encouraged to attend seminars, if and when they are able. Philosophy and ethics are difficult to learn without dialogue; students’ learning will be greatly improved if they participate in real-time and online discussion, debate, and questioning with their peers and instructor.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. identify an ethical argument and its premises
  • LO2. distinguish between the main ethical frameworks and understand key criticisms of each
  • LO3. justify positions in accordance with the theories learned
  • LO4. formulate and write a sound ethical argument on a particular issue.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This UoS has undergone substantial revision - including a name and content change.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.