Course content

In this course, students carry out individual ethics projects that involve data collection using interviews or questionnaires. In the course, we review, assess and apply various methods in theoretical and empirical ethics, and address relevant research ethics and scientific theoretical aspects. Basic problems within empirical ethics, and the relationship between empirical ethics and other types of empirical approaches, are discussed in the course. The course will train the students' ability to design and carry out empirical investigations that are suitable for elucidating normative issues.

Learning outcome

A candidate who has passed the course is expected to have the following total learning outcomes according to the study plan's description of the course, defined as knowledge and skills:

Knowledge:

• knowledge of theoretical and empirical methods in ethics
• knowledge of basic discussions within empirical ethics
• knowledge of the distinctive features of empirical ethics as an approach
• knowledge of ethical issues and specialist literature in a chosen field
• knowledge of research ethics

Skills

• justify the choice of method, and carry out a metaethical and scientific theoretical method discussion
• write the project protocol, including consent letter and interview guide /questionnaire, and get approval
• formulate and investigate a specific ethical issue in a fruitful and research ethically justifiable way
• discuss the significance of empirical findings based on relevant literature

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, project seminar, project work, presentations, guidance, self-study. The students work with a self-selected problem, design and carry out a study, and write a project report based on given criteria. Project presentations are held during the project period and at the end of the project period.

The compulsory activity can only be carried out in the semester in which teaching is given in the subject, but is valid both in this and the following semester.

Compulsory assignments

• 80% attendance in lecures and seminars
• Upto 3 approved presentations
• Approved draft of project

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

Admission to the master programme in Philosophy and Ethics

Course materials

The syllabus will be available at the start of the semester.