PP2ERW: Ethics for the Real World

Module code: PP2ERW

Module provider: Philosophy; School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Credits: 20

Level: 5

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Walter Veit , email: w.r.w.veit@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

Ethics is not just a concern for philosophers in their armchairs—it has direct implications for the real world, where ethical problems arise daily. This module will tackle pressing questions such as: Is it ethical to consume animal products from industrial farms with poor welfare standards? Should performance-enhancing drugs be permitted? Is it ethical to genetically engineer human embryos? Should we be allowed to clone ourselves? Is it wrong to ignore climate change or neglect future generations? Do we have a moral obligation to help those in poverty? 

Students will delve into key topics and debates in applied ethics, exploring how philosophical theories and arguments in ethics can inform practical decision-making. Through the study of philosophical texts and contemporary case studies, they will critically assess the role of ethics in shaping policy, law, and everyday life. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Understand and be able to explain the complexities of problems in applied ethics. 
2. Develop solutions to these problems and defend them in a precise and rigorous manner. 
3. Identify new ethical problems. 
4. Present arguments in applied ethics in writing and orally. 
5. Research and provide philosophical and as well as evidentiary support for alternative views. 

Module content

The content of this module typically varies from year to year to offer a mix of old long-standing problems in applied ethics as well as new current debates. 

Topics covered on the module may include:   

• Animal Ethics 
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• Environmental Ethics 
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• Medical Ethics 
• Emerging Technologies and the new ethical problems they raise 

Each topic will be explored through a combination of philosophical arguments and contemporary case studies, encouraging students to engage critically with both theory and practice. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module combines interactive lectures and seminars designed to foster engagement and critical thinking. Lectures introduce the weekly topic with an overview of key arguments and considerations, interspersed with opportunities for students to ask questions, offer insights, and engage in discussions. Seminars build on these foundations, focusing on group work, debate, and close examination of the required readings.  

Students are encouraged to actively participate in all sessions by discussing philosophical views, reflecting on the material, and collaboratively exploring ideas with their peers. 

Study hours

At least 24 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs