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Unit information: Value Theory in 2024/25

Please note: Programme and unit information may change as the relevant academic field develops. We may also make changes to the structure of programmes and assessments to improve the student experience.

Unit name Value Theory
Unit code PHILM0026
Credit points 20
Level of study M/7
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director Dr. Wilhelm
Open unit status Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)

None

Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)

None

Units you may not take alongside this one

None

School/department Department of Philosophy
Faculty Faculty of Arts

Unit Information

This is a Masters level foundation course in the theory of value, meta-ethics, ethics, political philosophy or related fields of philosophy, and aims to provide a solid grounding in practical philosophy for all masters of philosophy, and aims to provide a solid grounding in these central areas of philosophy for all masters and doctoral students in philosophy. The seminars consists in a close reading of a central philosophical text or texts. The text may sometimes be a single work by an author, or a series of articles. Topics to be covered will include some of the following: Realism and anti-realism in ethics; the nature of normative reasons; moral motivation; moral epistemology; conceptions of moral psychology; theory vs. anti-theory views in ethics; central ethical theories (Kantianism, Aristotelianism, contractualism, consequentialism, Humeanism); moral scepticism.

Aim:

To provide a grounding in (a) central area(s) of practical philosophy, e.g. ethics, meta-ethics

Your learning on this unit

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

  1. knowledge and understanding of various key issues in practical philosophy
  2. an ability to engage critically with the positions and arguments of philosophers covered at a depth suitable to level M, and offer their own assessment of them.
  3. skills in reading philosophy, constructing and evaluating arguments, and writing philosophy at an advanced level.
  4. an ability to communicate ideas clearly and effectively to an audience, using blackboard, handouts, data projection (e.g. PowerPoint).
  5. an ability to identity research question independently and to plan and present in depth, independent research.
  6. an ability to self-reflect and respond to criticisms of own work, combining knowledge, understanding and flexibility

How you will learn

Lectures, small group work, individual exercises, seminars and virtual learning environment.

How you will be assessed

Individual Presentation (20%) [ILOs 1-6]

4000 word essay (80%) [ILOs 1-3, 5,6]

When assessment does not go to plan

When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the form or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are normally confirmed by the School shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the academic year.

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. PHILM0026).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.

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