This unit looks at some of the major ethical challenges that face us today as reflective global citizens. These include questions about the morality of war, terrorism and torture; how we should manage the conflict between demands for economic development and the need to protect the environment; and what, if anything, we are morally obliged to do in response to the huge inequalities of wealth and opportunity that exist in the world. The overall purpose of the unit is not to promote any particular moral viewpoint, but to encourage students to critically analyse the conflicting arguments around these issues, and to develop and articulate their own reasoned moral responses to them.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Interpret and apply a range of theoretical positions to the process of ethical reasoning;
2. Analyse the major ethical arguments surrounding key global challenges; and
3. Articulate and support with clear and cogent reasoning their own ethical viewpoints on those global challenges.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - apply their knowledge to working with Indigenous Australians in socially just ways
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - communicate and engage with Indigenous Australians in ethical and culturally respectful ways

Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

8510 Global Ethical Challenges.

Assumed knowledge

None.