Overview
Philosophy 255: Introduction to Philosophy: Ethics and Society is a three-credit course that introduces you to philosophy by exploring and analyzing leading ethical theories and the application of those theories to matters of social concern.
There are no prerequisites for this course, but you are expected to have university-level analytical and writing skills.
Outline
PHIL 255 is divided into thirteen units:
- Unit 1 – Introducing Philosophy
- Unit 2 – Moral Relativism
- Unit 3 – Divine Command Theory
- Unit 4 – Ethical Egoism
- Unit 5 – Utilitarianism
- Unit 6 – Kantian Ethics
- Unit 7 – Virtue Ethics
- Unit 8 – Sex and the Ethics of Gay Rights
- Unit 9 – Bullshit and the Ethics of Advertising
- Unit 10 – Birth and the Ethics of Abortion
- Unit 11 – Death and the Ethics of Euthanasia
- Unit 12 – Hunger and the Ethical Response to Extreme Poverty
- Unit 13 – Technology and Humanity
Learning outcomes
After completing PHIL 255, you should be able to do the following:
- Recognize how core philosophical topics and theories arise from relatable human and social experiences.
- Explain how ethical concepts and principles can be applied constructively to contemporary issues of social debate.
- Analyze the application of ethical concepts and principles to contemporary issues of social debate.
- Communicate thoughts clearly, cogently, and reasonably in a manner that corresponds to the standards of academic philosophy.
Evaluation
To receive credit for PHIL 255, you must achieve a composite course grade of at least D (50 percent).
| Activity | Weight |
| Assignment 1: Two Short Essays | 20% |
| Assignment 2: OER Evaluation | 10% |
| Assignment 3: Two Short Essays | 20% |
| Active Participation | 15% |
| Final Exam | 35% |
| Total | 100% |
The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Physical course materials
The following course materials are included in a course package that will be shipped to your home prior to your course’s start date:
Vice & Virtue in Everyday Life: Introductory Readings in Ethics. 9th edition. Edited by Christina Hoff Sommers and Fred Sommers. Boston: Wadsworth, 2013.
Other Materials
Additional readings and multimedia resources are provided online and embedded in the Study Guide.