Module manager: Joshua Hobbs
Email: J.J.Hobbs@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 Nov to 31 Jan View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
| IDEA5210M | Intro Ethics: Reason Happiness |
This module is not approved as an Elective
This module introduces the concept of professional ethics, explores the nature of professional ethics, and introduces students to some of the core topics in the area.
The central question that students will address is the question of whether professional ethics is in any way distinctive. Is professional ethics just ethics, but focusing on professions, or is the role of being a professional ethically significant in its own right, such that it is not possible to really engage with professional ethics without first considering what it is to be a professional?
In addition, students will be introduced to a selection of topics in professional ethics (some of which will be studied in more detail in other modules).
On completion of this module, students should have an ability to:
- understand some of the central concepts involved in the study of professional ethics;
- evaluate critically some of the central issues in professional ethics;
- apply this understanding to the development of thoughtful and well presented arguments which reflect their own critical engagement with the material studied.
Topics may include, for example:
- The understanding of professional ethics
> What is a profession, what does it mean to be a professional, and what are the implications for professional ethics?
- Introduction to issues within professional ethics
> The role of professional codes in ethics
> Trust and professional relationships
> Personal and professional integrity: Integrity is a widely accepted professional requirement, but what exactly is integrity, and do the requirements of integrity vary from one profession to another?
> The problem of fragmentation (making a clear demarcation between one's professional life and one's personal life, having different ethical practices in each)
> Professional duty and conscientious objection
> Conflicts of interest
> Honesty and openness and deception and lying in a professional context, including justifications and excuses.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-line Learning | 8 | 2 | 16 |
| Independent online learning hours | 34 | ||
| Private study hours | 100 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 16 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150 | ||
On-Line Learning: online tutor-led discussion.
Independent Online Learning: working through exercises online.
Private Study Time:
Students be assigned set readings, and will be given teaching materials to work through at their own pace. These materials will set the readings in context, at certain points provide prompts for carefully structured online discussions, which will be supported by tutors.
2 x essay plans (200 words).
Tutors will be involved in students' discussions to monitor their contributions, and provide clarification or answer questions where necessary. Access to teaching materials will also be logged through the VLE, which will give some indication of students' progress in independent learning.
Contribution to online discussions will be assessed (on participation rather than content) to encourage regular, active participation.
There will also be an online personal tutoring system to review progress on completed modules and identify any areas where further support is needed.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Group Discussion | Course participation | 10 |
| Essay | 1500 words (mid-module) | 45 |
| Essay | 1500 words (end of module) | 45 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 07/06/2023
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