134307

Ethics and Emerging Technologies

Course
New technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, genetic engineering both create new opportunities and pose new ethical problems. This course is an exploration of the ethical issues, both personal and political, posed by new and emerging technologies.
Course code

Qualifications are made up of courses. Some universities call these papers. Each course is numbered using 6 digits.

134307
Level

The fourth number of the course code shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).

300-level
Credits

Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.

15
Subject
Philosophy

Course planning information

Course notes

Reliable broadband internet connection required

General progression requirements

You must complete at least 45 credits from 200-level before enrolling in 300-level courses.

Learning outcomes

What you will learn. Knowledge, skills and attitudes you’ll be able to show as a result of successfully finishing this course.

  • 1 Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the ethical issues raised by the technologies explored in the course.
  • 2 Analyse and critically evaluate arguments for and against personal use of or widespread adoption of new and emerging technologies.
  • 3 Demonstrate the ability to use these skills to move beyond the arguments presented to develop creative solutions to philosophical problems.
  • 4 Locate and integrate information relevant to a particular topic, present their findings clearly and precisely in written form, and revise their ideas and presentation in the light of feedback.

Learning outcomes can change before the start of the semester you are studying the course in.

Assessments

Assessment Learning outcomes assessed Weighting
Written Assignment 1 2 4 20%
Written Assignment 1 2 4 30%
Take Home Exam 1 2 3 4 50%

Assessment weightings can change up to the start of the semester the course is delivered in.

You may need to take more assessments depending on where, how, and when you choose to take this course.

Explanation of assessment types

Explanation of assessment types
Computer programmes
Computer animation and screening, design, programming, models and other computer work.
Creative compositions
Animations, films, models, textiles, websites, and other compositions.
Exam College or GRS-based (not centrally scheduled)
An exam scheduled by a college or the Graduate Research School (GRS). The exam could be online, oral, field, practical skills, written exams or another format.
Exam (centrally scheduled)
An exam scheduled by Assessment Services (centrally) – you’ll usually be told when and where the exam is through the student portal.
Oral or performance or presentation
Debates, demonstrations, exhibitions, interviews, oral proposals, role play, speech and other performances or presentations.
Participation
You may be assessed on your participation in activities such as online fora, laboratories, debates, tutorials, exercises, seminars, and so on.
Portfolio
Creative, learning, online, narrative, photographic, written, and other portfolios.
Practical or placement
Field trips, field work, placements, seminars, workshops, voluntary work, and other activities.
Simulation
Technology-based or experience-based simulations.
Test
Laboratory, online, multi-choice, short answer, spoken, and other tests – arranged by the school.
Written assignment
Essays, group or individual projects, proposals, reports, reviews, writing exercises, and other written assignments.

Textbooks needed

There are no set texts for this course.