University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 10

Semester: 2

Planned timetable: To be confirmed.

This module investigates philosophical questions related to the evaluation of character. It asks what virtue and vice consist in, and how questions of the evaluation of character interact with questions about what is morally right or wrong and/or other issues relevant to our ethical lives. From year to year, this course will look variously at key theoretical topics in virtue ethics (e.g. virtuous action; situationist and consequentialist challenges); historical approaches to virtue and vice (e.g. Plato; Aristotle; Hume; modern virtue theorists); studies of particular virtues and vices (e.g. the cardinal virtues and vices; non-standard virtues and vices).

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Before taking this module you must pass PY1012

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 1x 2hr lecture (x11 weeks), 1x 1hr tutorial (x10 weeks)

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: 100% Coursework.


Re-assessment: Reassessment of failed element, with the mark for that reassessed element counting as per its weighting towards overall grade, along with other marks from passed elements. Overall grade to be reported, and then (as per University policy) capped at 7.0.

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr M R Hampson
Module teaching staff: Dr M Hampson and Dr M van der Lugt
Module coordinator email mrh8@st-andrews.ac.uk

Intended learning outcomes

• By the end of the module, students will be able to identify and critically discuss a range of philosophical approaches related to the evaluation of character.
• By the end of the module, students will be able to describe and comprehend the prominent philosophical debates surrounding the historical texts studied in the module;
• By the end of the module, students will be able to consider, in an informed way, the domains in which virtues and vices may be exercised, and form their own opinions accordingly.
• By the end of the module, students will be able to write competently and meaningfully on matters relating to philosophical debates on virtues and vices.