Course Catalogue

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Issues in Contemporary Society (ICS) is a lively examination of some of today's most contentious issues and explores and evaluates some of the many perspectives from which they can be understood. In previous years these have ranged from the rights and wrongs of euthanasia, the benefits and weakness of representative democracy, the legitimacy (or otherwise) of civil disobedience and direct action, the nature of animal rights, and humans' appropriate relationship to the natural environment.

The aim of the course is not to supply a 'right' answer to these controversial questions; rather, it draws upon and helps to inform students' existing views and to introduce them to concepts in philosophy in general, and ethics and political theory in particular. Through reflection, students are expected to formulate rational arguments, supported by properly sourced research backed up by conscious, informed theoretical positions in relation to each of the topics studied.

Each week: Lecture 1 (two hours); Lecture 2 (two hours); Tutorial (one hour).

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Class Test - short answer and/or multiple choice questions (15%)
Class Essay - 1500 +/- 10 % (35%)
Other coursework (viva of approximately 10 minutes) - based on essay and essay feedback (10%)
Examination (1.5 hours) (40%)

This course aims to:
(i) Encourage the student to develop a good critical awareness of a range of complex issues that directly affect the daily lives of Scottish people today.
(ii) Familiarise students to distinctive theoretical approaches arising from ethics, social theory and political philosophy as they apply to contemporary issues.
(iii) Assist students in recognising the differences within and similarities between distinctive theoretical perspectives.
(iv) Foster and develop oral and written presentational skills.
(v) Assist the students in developing transferable skills by encouraging group working and research skills using IT and library sources.

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:
(i) Competently describe a contemporary issue (or issues) and identify theoretical positions that are in conflict.
(ii) Critically evaluate theoretical positions in relation to each of the issues.
(iii) Articulate and defend their own position in relation to these issues, with reference to identifiable political philosophies or ethical theories.
(iv) Identify, and cite, pertinent sources relevant to the topic.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.