BJC2115 Ethics in the Global Context – Common Core Curriculum Office (CCCO)

Department

School of Communication

Semester

AY2019/20 Sem 1, AY2019/20 Sem 2, AY2020/21 Sem 1, AY2020/21 Sem 2, AY2021/22 Sem 1, AY2021/22 Sem 2, AY2022/23 Sem 1, AY2022/23 Sem 2, AY2023/24 Sem 1, AY2023/24 Sem 2, AY2024/25 Sem 1

Method

Lecture 3 hours

Cluster

4 (Moral Reasoning)

Prerequisite

Nil

Exclusion

Nil

Module Description

This module aims to apply the reasonings of various ethical theories on contemporary global issues. It focuses on the comparative study of the ethical argumentations stemming from different societies, especially how the same token of moral reasoning could breed contrasting ethical implications. Students are expected to establish their own ethical stances after informed and deliberative ethical dialogue and reasoning. To achieve the goal of comparative ethical reasoning, this module is embedded in the educational activities of Mosaic College, a residential college of the University which houses overseas exchange students under the theme of cultural diversity.

Module Intended Learning Outcomes (MILO)

Upon completion of this module, students should be able to:
a. identify the fundamental theories of ethical reasoning;
b. apply ethical reasoning to contemporary major global conflicts;
c. evaluate own ethical stances on the moral deliberation across different societies; and
d. develop ethical sensitivity to and moral judgment on contemporary global issues

Module Content

1. Ethics and moral reasoning

1.1 Rationality and moral imperative
1.2 Relativism
1.3 Utilitarianism

2. Ethics and collectivity

2.1 Public sphere
2.2 State and civil society
2.3 Morality and private domain

3. Ethics and contemporary global issues

3.1 Globalization theories
3.2 Modernization and its criticism
3.3 Normative inquiry of risk society

4. Ethical reasoning of global conflicts

4.1 Climate change and risk redistribution
4.2 Revisiting nationalism
4.3 Globalization and de-globalization
4.4 Terrorism and human rights
4.5 Techno-determinism and the politics of big data

Assessment Methods

1. Class participation (10%)
2. Assignment(s) (40%)
3. Presentation / Project (50%)

Texts & References

1. Audi, R. (2007). Moral Value and Human Diversity. NY: Oxford University Press.
2. Beck, U. (2009). World at Risk. Cambridge: Polity Press.
3. Brown, D. A. (2012). Climate Change Ethics: Navigating the Perfect Moral Storm. London and New York: Earthscann from Routledge.
4. Habermas, J. (1991/1962). The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere: an inquiry into category of Bourgeois Society. Cambridge: the MIT press.
5. Harari Y. N. (2018). 21 Lessons for the 21st Century. London: Jonathan Cape.
6. Karunaratne, N. D. (2012). The Globalization-Deglobalization Policy Conundrum. Modern Economy, 3, 373-383.
7. Mayer-Schonberger, V. and Cukier K. (2013). Big Data: A revolution that will transform how we live, work and think. London: John Murray.
8. Nathanson, S. (2010). Terrorism and the Ethics of War. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
9. Seligman, A. B. (1992). The Idea of Civil Society. NY: The Free Press.
10. Singer, P. (2002). One World: the Ethics of Globalization. New Haven and London: Yale University Press.
11. Ritzer, G. and Dean, P. (eds) (2015). Globalization: A Basic Text (2nd Edition). West Sussex, Wiley-Blackwell.
12. Wacks, R. (2000). Law, Morality, and the Private Domain. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press.
13. Wong, D. B. (2006). Natural Moralities: A Defense of Pluralistic Relativism. Oxford: Oxford University Press.