Rationality, Responsibility, And Ethics

Learning Outcomes

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• work effectively to deadlines.
• contribute to discussion in a critical but dispassionate way.
• express views clearly and concisely.
• undertake independent research work, including identifying and using appropriate resources.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• interpret, synthesise and criticise complex texts and positions.
• present ideas, in writing, clearly and carefully.
• debate and criticise ideas and arguments in an even-handed fashion.
• articulate and defend your own views regarding the issues the module concerns.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• some advanced issues about rationality, responsibility, and ethics
• influential arguments and theories bearing on these issues

The syllabus for this module may vary from year to year. It may include topics such as:

• The nature of intentional action
• Rationality and reasons
• The relationship between morality and rationality
• The relationship between reasons and rationality
• The nature of responsibility
• Praiseworthiness and blameworthiness

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include

• Lectures
• In-class discussion
• One-on-one consultation with module co-ordinator

Learning activities include

• Attending classes
• Contributing to class discussion
• Doing independent research for and writing assessed essays and exams

Resources & Reading list

Internet Resources

Reasons for Action: Justification, Motivation, Explanation.

Assessment strategy

For MA students taking this module, expectations will be significantly higher than those for year 3 undergraduate students attending the same lectures, and the assessment criteria will accordingly by stricter. In particular students will be required to demonstrate extremely high levels of detailed and accurate exposition, critical engagement, organisation and presentation, with scholarship that draws on appropriate primary literature.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External