Registry

Module Specifications

Archived Version 2011 - 2012

Module Title	Philosophy of Values: Ethics and Aesthetics
Module Code	PHIL3
School	Oscail
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Mr James Brunton	Office Number	D102
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	15
Pre-requisite	PHIL1
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

This module introduces students to the application of ethical principles in the context of modern problems, and places forms of art in an historical and aesthetic context.

Learning Outcomes

1. Discuss essential features involved in aesthetic experience and ways of defining and analysing different forms of art
2. Evaluate key concepts and issues connected to theories of beauty and art that have historical origins in Plato and Aristotle's theories and which remain living options in philosophical aesthetics today
3. Explain the historical evolution of various forms of art and account for the emergence of non-objective and 'abstract' forms of art characteristic of 'the end of art' in the twentieth century (e.g. Picasso, atonal music, theatre of the absurd)
4. Evaluate three central theories of ethics that have historical roots and remain significant living options in moral philosophy today, e.g., virtue, utilitarian and Kantian approaches to morality
5. Discriminate between normative disciplines from other disciplines (e.g. natural science, mathematics, history, casuistry in legal reasoning) through investigating essential characteristics of ethical and aesthetic reasoning
6. Appraise a philosophical argument in ethics through investigating arguments for and against two main opposing theories in the debate about the proper relation of morality to law
7. Apply the principles of ethical reasoning in assessing controversial moral issues in society today, such as: freedom of expression and censorship, the right to life, environmental ethics (deep and shallow ecology)

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Tutorial	15	No Description
On-line learning	15	No Description
Independent learning	345	No Description
Total Workload: 375

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

PART ONE: Aesthetics.
Unit 1: Introduction and Classical Conceptions of Art and Beauty 1: Plato.

Unit 2: Classical Conceptions of Art and Beauty 2: Aristotle.
Unit 3: Establishing a Standard of Taste: Empiricist versus Rationalist Approaches.

Unit 4: Kant's Critique of Judgement.
Unit 5: Artistic Evaluation 1: Aesthetic Formalism.

Unit 6: Artistic Evaluation 2: Categories of Art.
Unit 7: Aesthetic Appreciation of Nature.

Unit 8: Conclusion.
:.

PART 2: Ethics.
Unit 9: The Methods, Scope and Value of Ethics, and One of its Central Topics.

Unit 10: Morality and Truth: Realism, Subjectivism and Relativism.
Unit 11: Utilitarianism - A Results-Based Ethic.

Unit 12: Kant's Reason-Based Ethic.
Unit 13: Rawls' Theory of Justice - Towards a Contractualist Ethic.

Unit 14: Virtue Ethics and the Ethics of Care.
Unit 15: Morality, Society and the Law.

Unit 16: Freedom of Expression and Censorship.
Unit 17: Abortion: The Ethical Arguments.

Unit 18: Ethics and the Environment.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	50%	Examination Weight	50%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assignment	Assessment takes a variety of forms, including essays, reports, learning journals, presentations and group assignments.	50%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
Unavailable

Indicative Reading List

Steven M. Cahn, and Aaron Meskin: 2008, Aesthetics: A Comprehensive Anthology,
Bennett, C: 2010, What is this thing called ethics?,
Jamieson, Dale: 2008, Ethics and the Environment,
Vaughn, Lewis: 2010, Ethics: Moral Reasoning and Contemporary Issues, Second,
0: For additional readings please consult moodle.,

Other Resources

None

Programme or List of Programmes

Diploma/BA in Humanities

BASM

BA Single Module

Timetable this semester: Timetable for PHIL3

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