Outline

Overview

This unit addresses philosophical questions about how we should live our lives. Students will consider which goals are worth pursuing, which actions are right, and what it takes to be a virtuous person. Topics may include virtues of character; whether morality is objective; partiality towards loved ones; addiction and weakness of will; moral responsibility; virtue signalling; moral emotions like guilt, shame, and hope; punishment and forgiveness.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Philosophy
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	12 credit points at 2000 level in Philosophy or (6 credit points at 2000 level in Philosophy and 6 credit points at 2000 level in Psychology)
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	PHIL2623 or PHIL3655
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Luke Russell, luke.russell@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Luke Russell, luke.russell@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Participation	Participation Participation	10%	Ongoing Due date: 30 May 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 03 Feb 2025	All lectures and tutorials
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Mid-Term Writing Assignment Writing Assignment	35%	Week 08 Due date: 17 Apr 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 01 May 2025	1500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	10 x Quizzes Ten quizzes on unit content	10%	Week 13 Due date: 30 May 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 06 Jun 2025	15 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Final Essay Final Essay	45%	Week 13 Due date: 30 May 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 10 Jun 2025	2500
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

10 x Online Quizzes worth 10% in total

Participation worth 10%

1 x Mid-Semester Writing Assignment 1500 words worth 35%

1 x Final Essay 2500 words worth 45%

Assessment criteria

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Mastery of a broad range of theories in ethics and moral psychology, the ability to offer insightful critiques of these theories, and the ability to set out a clear and compelling argument in this domain
Distinction	75 - 84	Detailed knowledge of many important theories in ethics and moral psychology, the ability to describe them accurately, and the ability to evaluate them
Credit	65 - 74	Knowledge of some important theories in ethics and moral psychology, and the ability to point out some strengths and weaknesses of the different theories
Pass	50 - 64	Knowledge of some of the basic theories in ethics and moral psychology
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

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:

Late penalties in accordance with FASS policy

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.

Learning support

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 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. 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

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Normative Ethics Background	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Practical Reasoning and Moral Motivation	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Weeks 1 and 2 content	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	Virtue	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Virtue	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	Vice and Weakness of Will	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Vice and Weakness of Will	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	Situationism and Virtue Ethics	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Situationism and Virtue Ethics	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	Virtue Signalling and Moral Grandstanding	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Virtue Signalling and Moral Grandstanding	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	Moral Responsibility and Agency	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Moral Responsibility and Agency	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	Moral Emotions	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Moral Emotions	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Forgiveness	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Forgiveness	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	Evil	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Evil	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	Causal Explanations of Morality	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Causal Explanations of Morality	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	Debunking Morality: Nietzsche	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Debunking Morality: Nietzsche	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	Debunking Morality: Social Intuitionism	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Debunking Morality: Social Intuitionism	Tutorial (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Normal University attendance requirements apply in this unit

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.

Required readings

See the Canvas page for required readings

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. demonstrate a familiarity with the major issues and theories in ethics and moral psychology
LO2. analyse theories and arguments in ethics and moral psychology, and apply these theories to practice
LO3. critically evaluate these theories and arguments
LO4. articulate ideas with clarity of expression and exposition
LO5. develop new arguments, perspectives, and interpretations related to ethics and moral psychology

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

This is a new unit offered for the first time in 2025

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

PHIL3696: Ethics and Moral Psychology

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links