Master Topic in Moral Philosophy

Level of Study

Master

Teaching semester

Fall

Objectives and Content

Students will become familiar with some key debates in contemporary ethics concerning, for example, how we should live, how we should treat others, and what it means to act ethically. Central theories in philosophical ethics will be explored through applied topics such as issues surrounding life and death, the environment, and global ethical challenges. The course is intended for all students who wish to reflect deeply on these issues and to strengthen their expertise in ethics. The course will also give students the opportunity for focused attention on a selection of topics in contemporary ethics.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge:

After completing the course, the student should have

• knowledge of some central themes in contemporary ethics.
• knowledge of different philosophical theories concerning the basis for ethical
• knowledge of how different ethical standpoints can be relevant for conclusions made in concrete moral and political questions.

Skills:

After completing the course, the student should be able to

• identify strong and weak sides of different ethical theories and positions.
• identify and assess relevant ethical considerations and arguments in ethical discussions.
• arbeide sjølvstendig med moralfilosofiske spørsmål og problemstillingar.

Competence:

After completing the course, the student should be competent to

• read advanced articles and books in ethics.
• write a paper in ethics on a topic related to the course.
• continue studies in ethics or practical philosophy, e.g., on a PhD-level.

Required Previous Knowledge

Bachelor degree with 90 credits specializing in philosophy or equivalent.

Recommended Previous Knowledge

A good proficiency in English is necessary since it ought to be assumed that much of the prescribed reading will be in English.

Access to the Course

A condition for entry into this course is having been accepted for the Masters programme in philosophy.

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching is offered in the form of lectures and/or seminars.

Guidance of  semester assignment paper: guidance is a voluntary offer and can occur individually or in groups.

The number of gatherings may be reduced if the number of students attending the course is less than 4. In that case, the students will be compensated with individual or group tutoring.

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

An approval of compulsory requirements is valid for three semesters, including the semester in which the approval is given.

Submission of a short assignment at 900-1200 words. The topic is given by the teacher. Deadline is set by the department. The assignment must be approved to be able to take the exam.

Forms of Assessment

A semester assignment paper of 4000- 6000 words (not including table of contents, list of references etc.) The topic of the paper must be approved in advance by the teacher of the course. . The semester assignment paper will be assessed at the end of the semester.

Exams in the course are held every semester.

The compulsory activities have to be formally approved before one can take an exam in the course.

The compulsory requirements have to be formally approved in a semester in which there is teaching in the relevant course in order to register for the examination in a semester in which there is no teaching in that course.

Grading Scale

From A to F

Course Evaluation

The teaching will be evaluated from time to time.

Department

Department of Philosophy