Ethical Theories: Their Foundations and Practical Applications

Undergraduate | 2026

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Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
PHIL 2016
Course ID icon
Course ID
208384
Campus icon
Campus
Adelaide City Campus East
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
School of Humanities
Course coordinator
Course coordinator
Stephanie Sheintul
Course level icon
Course level
2
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes

Course overview

This course introduces students to the foundations of ethics and explores how ethical theories can be used to assess some of the most contentious moral and social issues of our time. Topics may include abortion, climate justice, and the ethics of emerging technologies.

  • Introduction
  • Normative Ethics
  • Applied Ethics Part 1
  • Applied Ethics Part 2

Course learning outcomes

  • Construct philosophical arguments and determine their validity and soundness.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of some of the major debates and concepts in normative and applied ethics.
  • Identify, describe, construct, and evaluate arguments in applied ethics, both in oral and written work.
  • Collaborate and communicate effectively and respectfully with peers on contentious moral problems via participation in workshop or the course discussion board.

Availability

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 27/03/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 13/03/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 10/04/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 08/05/2026

Class details

Adelaide City Campus East

Class number
Class number 30719
Section
Section LE01
Size
Size 120
Available
Available 120
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
- Adelaide City Campus East ,
Class number
Class number 28906
Section
Section WS01
Size
Size 60
Available
Available 60
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
26 Feb - 16 Apr Thursday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Engineering South, S111
7 May - 4 Jun Thursday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Engineering South, S111
Class number
Class number 28905
Section
Section WS02
Size
Size 60
Available
Available 60
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
26 Feb - 16 Apr Thursday 3:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East Marjoribanks, 1.26
7 May - 4 Jun Thursday 3:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East Marjoribanks, 1.26

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 04/09/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 21/08/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 18/09/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 16/10/2026

Class details

Adelaide City Campus East

Class number
Class number 60247
Section
Section LE01
Size
Size 120
Available
Available 120
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
- Adelaide City Campus East ,
Class number
Class number 58619
Section
Section WS01
Size
Size 60
Available
Available 60
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
5 Aug - 23 Sep Wednesday 12:10pm - 2pm Adelaide City Campus East Napier, LG28
14 Oct - 11 Nov Wednesday 12:10pm - 2pm Adelaide City Campus East Napier, LG28
Class number
Class number 58618
Section
Section WS02
Size
Size 60
Available
Available 60
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
4 Aug - 22 Sep Tuesday 4:10pm - 6pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 2032
13 Oct - 10 Nov Tuesday 4:10pm - 6pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 2032

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A

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The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.