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This module aims to enable students to engage in informed debate on the application of ethics to professional issues within contemporary society. Specific ethical theories will be critically reviewed acknowledging influences deriving from law and social perceptions.

a) Students will develop a critical understanding of applied ethics within their field of practice.
b) Common ethical theories will be examined in order to demonstrate the contested nature of ethics. These include Deontological, Consequentialist, Virtue, Principle Based and postmodern approaches to ethics.
c) Values and related principles will be explored (value of life, personhood, duty of care, doctrine of double effect, acts & omissions)
d) Practical applications of ethics to professional issues will be addressed relevant to the student’s area of work (for example, consent, paternalism, confidentiality, resource allocation, truth-telling and honesty) together with social, policy and legal influences.

On successful completion of the module the student will be able to:
1. critically synthesise  varied and contested approaches to ethical decision making.
2. construct ethically reasoned arguments relating to issues in professional practice
3. apply ethical frameworks acknowledging the influence of social, policy and legal issues impacting on practice.
4. evaluate the impact of ethical decisions on the providers and users of professional practice.

The Module will be delivered through a range of methods comprising intensive study days, online learning and directed independent study: 200 hours total

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.