FIL2302 ¨C Applied Ethics

Course content

Applied ethics deals with specific moral problems of fundamental importance for today¡¯s individual and society. This branch of ethics covers areas such as animal rights, medical ethics, environmental ethics and corporate ethics.

In the course we shall discuss questions such as: Do humans and animals have a different moral status? Can eating meat be morally justified? Are there any moral reasons for allowing euthanasia? How should one balance different values and demands in care work when it comes to the sharing of resources? Are we morally obliged to fight climate change? How should we as individuals deal with the environmental as well as the economic changes which the globalization makes us face? Can today¡¯s economic system be justified?

The content of the course may vary from one semester to another, something which means that often different topics will be discussed each time the course is given. Applied ethics also covers methodological questions regarding how to discuss and conclude as far as moral problems are concerned.

Learning outcome

After having completed the course you are expected to

• be able to demonstrate a thorough insight in problems of applied ethics, and also be able to discuss different views critically in writing
• be able to demonstrate an overview of differences, similarities and connections between different views within applied ethics and to give critical assessments of the different views

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Recommended previous knowledge

We recommend that you complete FIL1003 - Introduction to ethics before signing up for this course.

Overlapping courses

• 10 credits overlap with FIL1302.

Teaching

24 hours of combined seminars and lectures.

Compulsory activities:

• Mandatory attendance at the seminars (you must be present at least 9 out of 12 times)

In order for you to qualify for the final exam, all compulsory activities must be approved (accepted as satisfactory) by the teacher.

How to apply for valid absence from obligatory activity / mandatory presence.

Examination

A term paper of approximately 10 pages ¨¤ 2300 characters excl. references.

You submit your paper in Inspera.

Assessment guidelines fall 2019

Language of examination

You may write your examination paper in Norwegian or English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.