Philosophy and Ethics of Sex, "Race", and the Body
UndergraduateMAQ-PHIX30412025
Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 16 Feb 2025
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Price from
- $2,160
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Philosophy and Ethics of Sex, "Race", and the Body
About this subject
On successful completion of this subject, you will be able to:
- Outline key issues in the examined social and organisational contexts
- Deploy ethical concepts and theories to relevant contexts and case studies
- Critically evaluate the ethical arguments relating to key social and ethical issues
- Formulate and defend your own ideas with clarity and rigour
- Appeal to relevant concepts to clearly communicate arguments
- A week-by-week guide to the topics you will explore in this subject will be provided in your study materials.
This unit offers a philosophical exploration of complex and often controversial topics related to sex, relationships, ‘race’, and the body and the way in which we encounter and grapple with these concepts and experiences across the human life span. Students will engage with pressing issues in reproductive ethics, consent, abortion, and the philosophy of the family, as well as cultural appropriation and the nature and reality of 'race' and whether our practices of racial classification are justified. Further bioethical questions will be explored surrounding the use of human subjects in research, the commodification of the body, organ donation, and voluntary assisted dying. Through close engagement with philosophical texts as well as contemporary case studies, and developing the skills of rigorous philosophical analysis and discussion, students will achieve a deeper understanding of the complex issues and challenges we face as individuals, communities, and societies trying to live well alongside each other.
- Research presentation and defence (25%)
- Philosophical Essay (50%)
- Participation and engagement (25%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
This research-intensive university in north-western Sydney offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. With over 44,000 current students, Macquarie has a strong reputation for welcoming international students and embracing flexible and convenient study options, including its partnership with Open Universities Australia.
Learn more about Macquarie University.
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- QS Ranking 2024:
- 10
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 10
Entry requirements
Prior study
You must have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject:
one of
- MAQ-PHIX1032-Happiness, Goodness and Justice
- MAQ-PHIX1037-Critical Thinking
- MAQ-PHIX1031-The Philosophy of Human Nature
Others
Pre-requisite: 130cp at 1000 level or above
NCCW (pre-2020 units) PHIL341, PHL341
NCCW (2020 and onwards) PHIL3041
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateMAQ-ART-DEG
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