General Information
How can we judge what is right, and what wrong? Is morality just a matter of personal opinion? From where does the state get its authority? Are there limits to that authority? In this subject we examine some of the most influential, and often competing, philosophical theories of ethics and society. We do so by studying the theories of the most important thinkers in Western history: from Socrates to contemporary thinkers.
-
Details
Academic unit: Faculty of Society & Design Subject code: PHIL11-121 Subject title: Cultural and Ethical Values Subject level: Undergraduate Semester/Year: January 2020 Credit points: 10.000 -
Delivery & attendance
Timetable: https://bond.edu.au/timetable Delivery mode: Standard Workload items: - Lecture: x12 (Total hours: 24) - Weekly Lecture
- Tutorial: x12 (Total hours: 12) - Weekly Tutorial
- Personal Study Hours: x12 (Total hours: 84) - Recommended Study Hours
Attendance and learning activities: -
Resources
Prescribed resources: Books
- T C Denise, N R White, S P Peterfreund, D Cox (2011). Core 11-120 Ethics and Values. 1st, Melbourne Cengage 171
iLearn@Bond & Email: iLearn@Bond is the online learning environment at Bond University and is used to provide access to subject materials, lecture recordings and detailed subject information regarding the subject curriculum, assessment and timing. Both iLearn and the Student Email facility are used to provide important subject notifications. Additionally, official correspondence from the University will be forwarded to students’ Bond email account and must be monitored by the student. To access these services, log on to the Student Portal from the Bond University website as www.bond.edu.au
| Academic unit: | Faculty of Society & Design |
|---|---|
| Subject code: | PHIL11-121 |
| Subject title: | Cultural and Ethical Values |
| Subject level: | Undergraduate |
| Semester/Year: | January 2020 |
| Credit points: | 10.000 |
| Timetable: | https://bond.edu.au/timetable |
|---|---|
| Delivery mode: | Standard |
| Workload items: |
|
| Attendance and learning activities: |
| Prescribed resources: | Books
|
|---|---|
| iLearn@Bond & Email: | iLearn@Bond is the online learning environment at Bond University and is used to provide access to subject materials, lecture recordings and detailed subject information regarding the subject curriculum, assessment and timing. Both iLearn and the Student Email facility are used to provide important subject notifications. Additionally, official correspondence from the University will be forwarded to students’ Bond email account and must be monitored by the student. To access these services, log on to the Student Portal from the Bond University website as www.bond.edu.au |
Enrolment requirements
| Requisites: |
Nil |
|---|---|
| Assumed knowledge: |
Assumed knowledge is the minimum level of knowledge of a subject area that students are assumed to have acquired through previous study. It is the responsibility of students to ensure they meet the assumed knowledge expectations of the subject. Students who do not possess this prior knowledge are strongly recommended against enrolling and do so at their own risk. No concessions will be made for students’ lack of prior knowledge.
|
| Restrictions: |
Nil |
Assurance of learning
Assurance of Learning means that universities take responsibility for creating, monitoring and updating curriculum, teaching and assessment so that students graduate with the knowledge, skills and attributes they need for employability and/or further study.
At Bond University, we carefully develop subject and program outcomes to ensure that student learning in each subject contributes to the whole student experience. Students are encouraged to carefully read and consider subject and program outcomes as combined elements.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
Program Learning Outcomes provide a broad and measurable set of standards that incorporate a range of knowledge and skills that will be achieved on completion of the program. If you are undertaking this subject as part of a degree program, you should refer to the relevant degree program outcomes and graduate attributes as they relate to this subject.
Subject Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
On successful completion of this subject the learner will be able to:
- Knowledge of the western tradition of ethical and political thought, and the ability to express this knowledge in both speech and writing.
- Capacity to expound, interact with, and rigorously evaluate ideas in moral and political thought.
- Capacity to effectively communicate complex ideas and arguments, in both speech and writing, in ways that are useful in other subjects and in personal and professional life..
- Appreciation of and respect for a wide variety of moral opinions and cultural beliefs.
- Capacity to engage in group discussion of contested ideas in an intelligent, civil, and cooperative manner.
Generative Artificial Intelligence in Assessment
The University acknowledges that Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen-AI) tools are an important facet of contemporary life. Their use in assessment is considered in line with students’ development of the skills and knowledge which demonstrate learning outcomes and underpin study and career success. Instructions on the use of Gen-AI are given for each assessment task; it is your responsibility to adhere to these instructions.
-
Assessment details
Type Task % Timing* Outcomes assessed Project Report Project part 2: Research Paper (1500-2000 words) Developing the paper on personal interpretation of specific philosophical idea. 40.00% Week 13 1,2,3,4 *In-Class Quiz - Individual Weekly Tutorial Quizzes from Week 3: brief reviews of key concepts discussed in class 30.00% Weekly 1,3 Project Project part 1: Oral presentation: Feedback and reflecting on philosophical ideas and their relationship to contemporary human life. 30.00% Weekly 2,3,4,5 - * Assessment timing is indicative of the week that the assessment is due or begins (where conducted over multiple weeks), and is based on the standard University academic calendar
- C = Students must reach a level of competency to successfully complete this assessment.
-
Assessment criteria
Assessment criteria
High Distinction 85-100 Outstanding or exemplary performance in the following areas: interpretative ability; intellectual initiative in response to questions; mastery of the skills required by the subject, general levels of knowledge and analytic ability or clear thinking. Distinction 75-84 Usually awarded to students whose performance goes well beyond the minimum requirements set for tasks required in assessment, and who perform well in most of the above areas. Credit 65-74 Usually awarded to students whose performance is considered to go beyond the minimum requirements for work set for assessment. Assessable work is typically characterised by a strong performance in some of the capacities listed above. Pass 50-64 Usually awarded to students whose performance meets the requirements set for work provided for assessment. Fail 0-49 Usually awarded to students whose performance is not considered to meet the minimum requirements set for particular tasks. The fail grade may be a result of insufficient preparation, of inattention to assignment guidelines or lack of academic ability. A frequent cause of failure is lack of attention to subject or assignment guidelines. Quality assurance
For the purposes of quality assurance, Bond University conducts an evaluation process to measure and document student assessment as evidence of the extent to which program and subject learning outcomes are achieved. Some examples of student work will be retained for potential research and quality auditing purposes only. Any student work used will be treated confidentially and no student grades will be affected.
| Type | Task | % | Timing* | Outcomes assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project Report | Project part 2: Research Paper (1500-2000 words) Developing the paper on personal interpretation of specific philosophical idea. | 40.00% | Week 13 | 1,2,3,4 |
| *In-Class Quiz - Individual | Weekly Tutorial Quizzes from Week 3: brief reviews of key concepts discussed in class | 30.00% | Weekly | 1,3 |
| Project | Project part 1: Oral presentation: Feedback and reflecting on philosophical ideas and their relationship to contemporary human life. | 30.00% | Weekly | 2,3,4,5 |
- * Assessment timing is indicative of the week that the assessment is due or begins (where conducted over multiple weeks), and is based on the standard University academic calendar
- C = Students must reach a level of competency to successfully complete this assessment.
Assessment criteria
| High Distinction | 85-100 | Outstanding or exemplary performance in the following areas: interpretative ability; intellectual initiative in response to questions; mastery of the skills required by the subject, general levels of knowledge and analytic ability or clear thinking. |
|---|---|---|
| Distinction | 75-84 | Usually awarded to students whose performance goes well beyond the minimum requirements set for tasks required in assessment, and who perform well in most of the above areas. |
| Credit | 65-74 | Usually awarded to students whose performance is considered to go beyond the minimum requirements for work set for assessment. Assessable work is typically characterised by a strong performance in some of the capacities listed above. |
| Pass | 50-64 | Usually awarded to students whose performance meets the requirements set for work provided for assessment. |
| Fail | 0-49 | Usually awarded to students whose performance is not considered to meet the minimum requirements set for particular tasks. The fail grade may be a result of insufficient preparation, of inattention to assignment guidelines or lack of academic ability. A frequent cause of failure is lack of attention to subject or assignment guidelines. |
Quality assurance
For the purposes of quality assurance, Bond University conducts an evaluation process to measure and document student assessment as evidence of the extent to which program and subject learning outcomes are achieved. Some examples of student work will be retained for potential research and quality auditing purposes only. Any student work used will be treated confidentially and no student grades will be affected.
Study Information
Submission procedures
Students must check the iLearn@Bond subject site for detailed assessment information and submission procedures.
Policy on late submission and extensions
A late penalty will be applied to all overdue assessment tasks unless an extension is granted by the subject coordinator. The standard penalty will be 10% of marks awarded to that assessment per day late with no assessment to be accepted seven days after the due date. Where a student is granted an extension, the penalty of 10% per day late starts from the new due date.
Academic Integrity
University’s Academic Integrity Policy defines plagiarism as the act of misrepresenting as one’s own original work: another’s ideas, interpretations, words, or creative works; and/or one’s own previous ideas, interpretations, words, or creative work without acknowledging that it was used previously (i.e., self-plagiarism). The University considers the act of plagiarising to be a breach of the Student Conduct Code and, therefore, subject to the Discipline Regulations which provide for a range of penalties including the reduction of marks or grades, fines and suspension from the University.
Bond University utilises Originality Reporting software to inform academic integrity.Feedback on assessment
Feedback on assessment will be provided to students within two weeks of the assessment submission due date, as per the Assessment Policy.
Accessibility and Inclusion Support
If you have a disability, illness, injury or health condition that impacts your capacity to complete studies, exams or assessment tasks, it is important you let us know your special requirements, early in the semester. Students will need to make an application for support and submit it with recent, comprehensive documentation at an appointment with a Disability Officer. Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Office at the earliest possible time, to meet staff and learn about the services available to meet your specific needs. Please note that late notification or failure to disclose your disability can be to your disadvantage as the University cannot guarantee support under such circumstances.
Additional subject information
Subject curriculum
-
Introduction and overview of the subject
Peter Singer and Mencius on Human Nature.
-
Socrates on Courage
Philosophy as a Way of Life. What is Courage?
-
Plato’s Ethics
Plato’s Republic. Virtue and Wisdom. What is the best life?
SLOs included
- Knowledge of the western tradition of ethical and political thought, and the ability to express this knowledge in both speech and writing.
- Capacity to expound, interact with, and rigorously evaluate ideas in moral and political thought.
- Capacity to effectively communicate complex ideas and arguments, in both speech and writing, in ways that are useful in other subjects and in personal and professional life..
- Appreciation of and respect for a wide variety of moral opinions and cultural beliefs.
- Capacity to engage in group discussion of contested ideas in an intelligent, civil, and cooperative manner.
-
Aristotle on Happiness is the Supreme Good
What is Happiness? How to live happily? How can I be happier?
SLOs included
- Knowledge of the western tradition of ethical and political thought, and the ability to express this knowledge in both speech and writing.
- Capacity to expound, interact with, and rigorously evaluate ideas in moral and political thought.
- Capacity to effectively communicate complex ideas and arguments, in both speech and writing, in ways that are useful in other subjects and in personal and professional life..
- Appreciation of and respect for a wide variety of moral opinions and cultural beliefs.
- Capacity to engage in group discussion of contested ideas in an intelligent, civil, and cooperative manner.
-
Epicurus on Happiness and Fear of Death
The Archaic and the Classical Period. Three conditions of happiness. Philosophy as a guide to happiness.
SLOs included
- Knowledge of the western tradition of ethical and political thought, and the ability to express this knowledge in both speech and writing.
- Capacity to expound, interact with, and rigorously evaluate ideas in moral and political thought.
- Capacity to effectively communicate complex ideas and arguments, in both speech and writing, in ways that are useful in other subjects and in personal and professional life..
- Appreciation of and respect for a wide variety of moral opinions and cultural beliefs.
- Capacity to engage in group discussion of contested ideas in an intelligent, civil, and cooperative manner.
-
Aquinas on Natural and Positive Law
Universities in 13th century Europe and Saint Thomas Aquinas Eternal Law and Natural Law What is “Free Will”?
SLOs included
- Knowledge of the western tradition of ethical and political thought, and the ability to express this knowledge in both speech and writing.
- Capacity to expound, interact with, and rigorously evaluate ideas in moral and political thought.
- Capacity to effectively communicate complex ideas and arguments, in both speech and writing, in ways that are useful in other subjects and in personal and professional life..
- Appreciation of and respect for a wide variety of moral opinions and cultural beliefs.
- Capacity to engage in group discussion of contested ideas in an intelligent, civil, and cooperative manner.
-
Thomas Hobbes on the State of Nature and the Sovereign
“My mother gave birth to twins: myself and fear.” Leviathan and “The State of Nature” Whence Morality?
-
Locke on Natural Rights and the Legitimacy of Government
Hobbes and Lock The State of Nature and Social Contract Property Rights and Original Acquisition.
SLOs included
- Knowledge of the western tradition of ethical and political thought, and the ability to express this knowledge in both speech and writing.
- Capacity to expound, interact with, and rigorously evaluate ideas in moral and political thought.
- Capacity to effectively communicate complex ideas and arguments, in both speech and writing, in ways that are useful in other subjects and in personal and professional life..
- Appreciation of and respect for a wide variety of moral opinions and cultural beliefs.
- Capacity to engage in group discussion of contested ideas in an intelligent, civil, and cooperative manner.
-
Kant on Autonomy and Duty
Enlightenment and Kant’s Three Critiques The Good Will and The Categorical Imperatives In Search of Reasonable Maxims.
SLOs included
- Knowledge of the western tradition of ethical and political thought, and the ability to express this knowledge in both speech and writing.
- Capacity to expound, interact with, and rigorously evaluate ideas in moral and political thought.
- Capacity to effectively communicate complex ideas and arguments, in both speech and writing, in ways that are useful in other subjects and in personal and professional life..
- Appreciation of and respect for a wide variety of moral opinions and cultural beliefs.
- Capacity to engage in group discussion of contested ideas in an intelligent, civil, and cooperative manner.
-
Bentham and Mill on Liberty Pleasure and Moral Obligation
Major Works of Classical Utilitarianism Bentham’s Hedonism John Stuart Mill and the Harm Principle.
SLOs included
- Knowledge of the western tradition of ethical and political thought, and the ability to express this knowledge in both speech and writing.
- Capacity to expound, interact with, and rigorously evaluate ideas in moral and political thought.
- Capacity to effectively communicate complex ideas and arguments, in both speech and writing, in ways that are useful in other subjects and in personal and professional life..
- Appreciation of and respect for a wide variety of moral opinions and cultural beliefs.
- Capacity to engage in group discussion of contested ideas in an intelligent, civil, and cooperative manner.
-
Rawls on the Just State
John Rawl’s Questioning Utilitarianism Justice as Fairness What is a Fair Society?
SLOs included
- Knowledge of the western tradition of ethical and political thought, and the ability to express this knowledge in both speech and writing.
- Capacity to expound, interact with, and rigorously evaluate ideas in moral and political thought.
- Capacity to effectively communicate complex ideas and arguments, in both speech and writing, in ways that are useful in other subjects and in personal and professional life..
- Appreciation of and respect for a wide variety of moral opinions and cultural beliefs.
- Capacity to engage in group discussion of contested ideas in an intelligent, civil, and cooperative manner.
-
Annette Baier on Trusting in Trust
The Vulnerability of Trust Why do we trust and what do we trust others with? How do we trust?
SLOs included
- Knowledge of the western tradition of ethical and political thought, and the ability to express this knowledge in both speech and writing.
- Capacity to expound, interact with, and rigorously evaluate ideas in moral and political thought.
- Capacity to effectively communicate complex ideas and arguments, in both speech and writing, in ways that are useful in other subjects and in personal and professional life..
- Appreciation of and respect for a wide variety of moral opinions and cultural beliefs.
- Capacity to engage in group discussion of contested ideas in an intelligent, civil, and cooperative manner.