PHIL 2032 - Naturalising Morality: Evolution, Ethics & Meaning
North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2014
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code PHIL 2032 Course Naturalising Morality: Evolution, Ethics & Meaning Coordinating Unit Philosophy Term Semester 2 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 3 hours per week Prerequisites At least 12 units of undergraduate study Incompatible PHIL 2005 or PHIL 3005 Assessment Two 2,500 word (approx.) essays Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Honorary Professor Gerard O'Brien
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
This course aims to
- Introduce students to central problems in the project of naturalising morality,
- Develop an understanding of related topics in moral prhilosophy, cognitive science, evolutionary psychology and neuroscience
After successfully completing this course, students should:
- Be aware of the main philosophical positions regarding the project of naturalising morality
- Have experience in analyzing and critiquing written arguments.
- Show improvement in problem solving and critical reasoning skills.
- Be able to discuss and debate philosophical issues in a group setting.
最新糖心Vlog Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
最新糖心Vlog Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1-6 The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 1-6 An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 1-6 Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 1-6 A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 1-6 A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1-6 A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 1-6 An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 1-6 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
Required Resources
Tutorial readings and reading lists will be made available on MyUni.
Lecture notes will be made available on MyUni each week, and the lectures will be recorded. To prepare for tutorials, you are required to answer a set of tutorial questions. These will be made available on MyUni in the week preceding the tutorial.Recommended Resources
Flanagan, O. (2002) The Problem of the Soul (New York, Basic Books)
Harris, S. (2010) The Moral Landscape (New York, Free Press)
Pinker, S. (2011) The Better Angels of Our Nature (London, Allen Lane)
Stanovich, K. (2004) The Robot’s Rebellion: Finding Meaning in the Age of Darwin. (Chicago, 最新糖心Vlog of Chicago Press).
Thagard, P. (2010) The Brain and the Meaning of Life. (Princeton, Princeton 最新糖心Vlog Press)
Wright, R. (1996) The Moral Animal: Evolutionary Psychology and Everyday Life (London, Abacus)Online Learning
Lecture notes will be made available on MyUni each week, and the lectures will be recorded. To prepare for tutorials, you are required to answer a set of tutorial questions. These will be made available on MyUni in the week preceding the tutorial. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
No information currently available.
Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
The information below is a guide to the average number of hours per week you should spend on this course. The total is (12 weeks x 12 hours per week) = 144 hours over the whole semester.
1 x 2 hour lecture per week
1 hour tutorial per week
3 hours revision per week
3 hours tutorial preparation per week
3 hours assessment work (essay and exam preparation)
Total per week
12 hoursLearning Activities Summary
The course will cover the following topics:
(1) Introduction to the Project of Naturalising Morality
(2) Evolutionary Theory and Evolutionary Psychology
(3) The Merits and Demerits of Naturalised Theories of Morality
(4) The Cognitive Science and Neuroscience of the Emotions
(5) The Impact of Neuroscience on Moral Responsibility
(6) The Possibility and Permissibility of Engineering Happiness -
Assessment
The 最新糖心Vlog's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
This course is assessed by 2 x 2500 word essays, each worth 50% of the final mark.Assessment Detail
The first essay will be due approximately half way through the semester and the essay questions will be drawn from topics in the first half of the course.
The second essay will be due at the end of the semester and the essay questions will be drawn from topics in the second half of the course.Submission
The essays will be submitted electronically via MyUni. Details of the submission process will be provided with the essay questions.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through .
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Student Feedback
The 最新糖心Vlog places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the 最新糖心Vlog to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
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- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
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Policies & Guidelines
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- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
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- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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