Module Code
Module Title
Programme
Type of Module
Modular Credits
:
:
:
:
:
AV-2311
Environmental Ethics
Bachelor of Arts
Major Option/ Breadth
Student Workload:
4
Contact Hours:
None
None
8 – 10 hours per week
2 hours per week
Prerequisite
:
Anti-requisite
:
Aims :
The purpose of this module is to learn how to apply different ethical and moral theories to
understanding our relation with our non-human environment and the issues arising from it.
It explores current ideas about responsibility towards our environment, and provides a
framework for analysing and evaluating the deeply-held moral attitudes that underlie
environmental controversies.
Module Content :
Do we have duties towards our environment in general and in particular in the manner that
we have duties towards our fellow beings? Is there an irresolvable conflict between feeding
people and saving nature? Is nature intrinsically as valuable as human beings are? Can we
combine our ideals of progress and development without adhering to the chauvinistic
attitudes towards nature that we have become used to? How do we differentiate between the
different elements of nature and hence our relation towards them? These are some of the
interesting questions we will be addressing in this module from the perspective of moral
philosophy and ethics. Some further issues to be discussed include animal rights,
environmental protection, and ecological harmony.
Assessment :
Examination :
2 hours
50%
Coursework :
Participation in discussions
2 Essays
Tutorial exercises
50%
10%
30%
10%
Textbook(s) References :
Des Jardins, J.R. (2005). Environmental ethics: an introduction to environmental philosophy.
Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Jamieson, D. (Ed.). (2003). A Companion to environmental philosophy. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.
Light, A., & Rolston, H. III. (Eds.). (2002). Environmental ethics: an anthology, Oxford: WileyBlackwell.
Pojman, L.P. & Pojman, P. (2007). Environmental ethics: readings in theory and
application. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.