AY23/24, Semester 2
Module Type: Seminar
Lecture Size: ~30
Lecturer: Dr. Yeo Shang Long
Grading Structure:
Seminar Participation - 15%
Group Presentation - 25%
First Essay (1400 words) - 25%
Final Essay (2000 words) - 35%
Review #1
Module Content:
How should you live your life? Normative ethics -- the topic of this course -- seeks to answer this question. In this class, we will examine different rival theories in normative ethics -- these tell us how we should act, how we should live our lives, and what kinds of people we should be. We will explore theoretical arguments for and against these different theories, and look at how they fare when applied to particular cases. We will also explore further issues, such as whether morality is culturally relative, the reliability of our moral judgments, etc.
TLDR: The main bulk of the course was about different ethical theories (consequentialism vs deontology vs virtue ethics). We also explored a little bit about different theories of well-being (objective list, desire satisfaction etc.), some applied ethics (eating meat and boycotts), and some moral epistemology (on the reliability of moral judgements).
Assignment Structure:
First essay was due before recess week. Group presentations were done on weeks 9 & 10 (I think) and final essay was due in week 13. Questions for both essays were assigned. The task for the group presentation was to analyse the ethics of an act in the digital sphere using different ethical theories (group comes up with own topic).
Tutor Feedback:
Yeo Shang Long; a pretty awesome guy overall. Slides were very clear and easy to understand. Always open to feedback and questions. He also facilitated student discussion very well. Struck a good balance between lecturing and student discussion despite the very huge seminar size.
Weekly Workload:
Workload is not high.
Expected Grade: A-
Actual Grade: A-
AY19/20, Semester 2
Module Type: Seminar
Lecture Size: 25 students
Lecturer: Professor Zachary Barnett
Grading Structure:
First Essay 15%
Second Essay 25%
Final Essay 35%
Participation (attendance, discussion, and other writing, incl. forum) 25%
Review #1
Module Content:
Different ethical theories. What does a good life compose of and what ethical framework should one adopt to get it?
Assignment Structure:
Contribute to forums biweekly. Read readings. Hand in Papers throughout the semester.
Tutor Feedback:
Zach Barnett. Knowledgeable and entertaining. Facilitates good discussion in the seminar. Makes good use of student contributions and responses well to feedback.
Weekly Workload:
Readings are easy to understand and interesting. Papers about 1000 words each and covers content discussed in class.
Expected Grade: A
Actual Grade: A-
Recommended For:
People who like trolley problems and discussing ethical issues and the like.
Review #2
Module Content:
The module teaches about normative ethical theory, and breaks the study of ethics into a few categories: namely, value theory and normative ethics. Metaethics isn't covered in this module. Over the course of the module, the weekly readings given (occasionally thought experiments like the Trolley Problem) cover the basics of ethical theory and will be discussed in class to give a comprehensive view of ethics.
Assignment Structure:
No final exam. There are three term papers due every few weeks, each assignment has a few set questions but also a free and easy question where you can choose the topic on your own.
Tutor Feedback:
NIL
Weekly Workload:
Readings are given weekly but the content is also covered again in class. Manageable content, the readings are usually readable and not too long.
Expected Grade: B+
Actual Grade: A-
Recommended For:
Those interested in a basic and comprehensive study of moral philosophy and ethics.