Ethics

Ethics is concerned with what is acceptable or unacceptable behaviour, or what is right or wrong. This course explores the history of ethics in philosophy and religion and applies current thinking to everyday life situations.

Course Code: BPS217
Fee Code: S3
Duration (approx) Duration (approx) 100 hours
Qualification Statement of Attainment
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Ethics might simply be described as the study of “What is right and what is wrong”.

 
Another way of defining ethics is “those norms and rules of conduct that distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable behaviour”.
 
Ethics is commonly thought of as a subdivision within the broader discipline of “philosophy” (the study of human thoughts)

The study of ethics is commonly divided into three areas:
  1. Meta Ethics - attempts to understand what ethical positions are.
  2. Normative Ethics- attempts to understand how we should respond to an ethical position.
  3. Applied Ethics - attempts to apply ethics to make decisions and take actions in the real world; whether at work, home or play (or anywhere else).

Why Study Ethics?

Ethics is at the core of many professions; quite obviously the law and religion; but an understanding of ethics also impacts strongly on many other industries. Without a sense of ethics; industries like health care, welfare, education and environmental management would probably be very different to what they are.

Study this course to help you decide what your own ethical boundaries are. Learn about different perspectives on moral philosophy, and what differentiates one perspective from another.

Ethics is increasingly important in many disciplines and workplaces. Consider how often you hear people talking about medical ethics, ethics in sport, business ethics, ethical behaviour of religious leaders or school teachers. The list is exhaustive.

Lesson Structure

There are 9 lessons in this course:

  1. Overview and Introductory Ethics
    • Who invented ethics – What are its origins?
    • Ethics and Philosophy
    • Current Ethical Theories:
    • Divine Command Theory of Ethics
    • The Theory of Forms Theory of Ethics
    • Theory of Relative Ethics
    • The Three Areas of Ethics
    • What determines your own Ethics/ Sense of Morality?
  2. Arguing an Ethical Position – An Overview of Meta Ethics
    • Metaethical Theories
    • Expressivism Theories (Non-Cognitive)
  3. Accommodating Varying Viewpoints
    • Different Ethical Viewpoints
    • Ethical Dilemmas
  4. Virtues and Morality
    • Developmental Model of Virtue Ethics
    • Morality
  5. Reasons for Ethical Decisions
    • Theories of Ethical Decision- Making
    • The Theories in More Detail
    • The Principle of Double Effect
  6. The Social Contract
    • Principle of Self-Interest
    • Theories of Social Contract
    • Twentieth Century Social Contract Theory
  7. Applied Ethics A - An Individual’s Rights
    • Basic Human Rights
    • The Underpinning Values of Human Rights
    • Categories of Human Rights
    • Human Rights Breaches
    • Applied Ethics A
  8. Applied Ethics B - An Ethical Society
    • What Is An Ethical Society?
    • Applied Ethics B
    • Case Study: African Caribbean People and Schizophrenia
  9. Applied Ethics C - Ethics in Work and Business
    • Why do Organisations Need Ethics?
    • Applied Ethics C - Organisations and Professions
    • Benefits of Ethics in Healthcare

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Aims

  • Understand the scope, nature and language of ethics
  • Demonstrate a capacity to argue varying viewpoints about ethics
  • Discuss how conflicting points of view might be rationalized in ethics
  • Discuss the virtues found or lacking in different people and groups of people
  • Identify how and why different people will choose to adopt one ethical position rather than another
  • Explain the social contract
  • Explain how ethics can be applied to determine and manage the rights of individuals
  • Explain how ethics can be applied to better manage the effective functioning of human societies
  • Explain how ethics can be applied by people in the work they do, on a daily basis and throughout an entire career

Scope of Ethics?


Ethical questions can vary from place to place and time to time. Some issues seem so very important in one part of the world; and are hardly even though about elsewhere.
In the modern world though, the following issues are often of concern:
  • The treatment of the environment/waste and consumption
  • The treatment of women
  • The formulation of business practices
  • The treatment of children and the elderly
  • The treatment and value of animals
  • Privacy and the community
  • Treatment of criminals
  • Using science to extend our lifespan.

Of course there are many more areas of life in which ethical dilemmas are perpetually raised. Within each of these areas there may be a wide array of different types of ethical dilemma. For instance, within the field of visual art different dilemmas might include:

  • Should plagiarism be permissible on any level e.g. design ideas, painting style, reproduction?
  • Issues relating to copyright. 
  • What, if any, subject material should not be used as a basis for art?
  • Nudity in art.
  • Exploitation of minors. 
  • Is it acceptable for a major art gallery to compromise the quality of its exhibits in order to create more revenue?
 
Cultural norms do vary from one country to another. Does this mean that something can be ethical behaviour in one country, and unethical in another.

This course helps you to develop a perspective on what is and is not ethical; and being able to make such decisions can be a very important part of daily life for people in many different types of jobs.

How This Course Could Help You

Ethics is one of those areas of enquiry which really encourages you to think outside the box. Students of this course will learn to challenge their own values and why they hold them. An understanding of belief systems and morality underpins all areas of life - at home, in public and at work.  Graduates of this course should develop the ability to question why particular codes of ethics are in place, along with their usefulness and limitations. As well as the practice of psychology and counselling which adhere to strong ethical codes this course can apply to all sorts of professions.

This course has broad appeal and may be applicable to people in a range of careers including:

  • Psychology
  • Counselling
  • Nursing
  • Social work
  • Caring roles
  • Health professions
  • Teaching
  • Coaching
  • Law
  • Politics
  • Human resources
  • Business
  • Police
  • Security

The course may be studied by itself for personal development or as part of a certificate or higher level course.   

ACS is a Member of the Complementary Medicine Association.
ACS is a Member of the Complementary Medicine Association.
Member of Study Gold Coast Education Network.
Member of Study Gold Coast Education Network.
ACS Global Partner - Affiliated with colleges in seven countries around the world.
ACS Global Partner - Affiliated with colleges in seven countries around the world.
Since 1999 ACS has been a recognised member of IARC (International Approval and Registration Centre). A non-profit quality management organisation servicing education.
Since 1999 ACS has been a recognised member of IARC (International Approval and Registration Centre). A non-profit quality management organisation servicing education.

How can I start this course?

You can enrol at anytime and start the course when you are ready. Enrolments are accepted all year - students can commence study at any time. All study is self paced and ACS does not set assignment deadlines.

Please note that if a student is being assisted by someone else (e.g. an employer or government subsidy), the body offering the assistance may set deadlines. Students in such situations are advised to check with their sponsor prior to enrolling. The nominal duration of a course is approximately how long a course takes to complete. A course with a nominal duration of 100 hours is expected to take roughly 100 hours of study time to complete. However, this will vary from student to student. Short courses (eg. 100 hrs duration) should be completed within 12 months of enrolment. Certificates, Advanced Certificates and Awards (eg. over 500 hours duration) would normally be completed within 3 -5 years of enrolment. Additional fees may apply if a student requires an extended period to complete.
If a student cannot submit their assignments for 6 months to ACS, they should advise the school to avoid cancellation of their student
registration. Recommencement fees may apply.

Simply click on the ENROL OPTIONS button at the top of this screen and follow the prompts.

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What do I need to know before I enrol?

There are no entry requirements that you need to meet to enrol in our courses, our courses are for everyone.
If you are under 18, we need written permission from your parent/ guardian for your enrolment to continue, we can arrange that after you have enrolled.

You don’t need to purchase any additional resources to complete our courses.

We aim to teach you the essentials without you having to purchase any specific computer program.
We recommend that you have access to a word processing program, such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs, so that you can easily complete and submit your assignments.

You sure can. We are here to help you learn whatever your abilities.

Yes, if you are enrolling in a Certificate or Advanced Certificate, you might be eligible for credits if you have evidence of your previous studies or relevant experience. More information is here.

We recommend that you are able to browse websites, send emails and conduct online research. You will need to be able to type and submit your assignments.
If you have limited computer skills, we can make special arrangements for you.

This is possible, it depends on the institution. We recommend that if you would like to use our courses that you contact the institution first. Our Course Handbook is a good resource for this.

Our courses are written in English and we only have English speaking academic staff. If you can read and complete your assignments in English, our courses are ideal for you.

Our courses are designed to build knowledge, hands on skills and industry connections to help prepare you to work in the area, running your own business, professional development or as a base for further study.

This course has been designed to cover the fundamentals of the topic. It will take around 100 hours to complete, which includes your course reading, assignment work, research, practical tasks, watching videos and anything else that is contained in the course. Our short courses are a great way to do some professional development or to learn a new skill.

It’s up to you. The study hours listed in the course are a rough guide, however if you were to study a short course (100 hours) at 10 hours per week, you could finish the course in 10 weeks (just an example). Our courses are self-paced, so you can work through the courses in your own time. We recommend that you wait for your tutor to mark and return your assignment before your start your next one, so you get the benefits of their feedback.

The course consists of course notes, videos, set tasks for your practical work, online quizzes, an assignment for each lesson (that you receive feedback from your tutor from) and ends in an exam (which is optional, if would like to receive the formal award at the end), using our custom built Learning Management System - Login.Training.

Our courses are designed for adults to gain professional development and skills to further their careers and start businesses.

Our custom online learning portal allows you to conduct your learning online. There may be practical tasks that you can do offline. You have the option of downloading your course notes or print them to read later.

There is also the option to pay an additional fee for printed course notes and or USB (availability limited to location and deliverability).

Yes, if you don’t have access to the internet, you can receive the course as paper notes or on a USB stick for an additional fee. We can also make alternative arrangements for you to send your assignments to us.

We offer printed notes for an additional fee. Also, you can request your course notes on a USB stick for an additional fee.

Yes, your tutor is here to help you. Simply post any questions you have in your login.training portal or contact the office and we can pass on a message to your tutor.

We are more learning focussed, rather than assessment focussed. You have online quizzes to test your learning, written assignments and can complete an exam at the end of the course (if you want to receive your certificate). You will not receive a pass/ fail on your course work. If you need to add more details on your assignment, we will ask you to resubmit and direct you where you need to focus. If you need help, you can ask your tutor for advice in the student room.

Each module (short course) is completed with one exam.

Exams are optional, however you must sit an exam if you would like to receive a formal award. You will need to find someone who can supervise that you are sitting the exams under exams conditions. There is an additional cost of $60 incl. GST for each exam.
More information is here

There are practical components built into the course that have been designed to be achieved by anyone, anywhere. If you are unable to complete a task for any reason, you can ask your tutor for an alternative.

When you complete the course work and the exam and you will be able receive your course certificate- a Statement of Attainment. Otherwise, you can receive a Letter of Completion.

You can bundle the short courses to create your own customised learning bundle, Certificates or Advanced Certificates. More information is on this page.

Yes, our courses are built to be applicable for people living anywhere in any situation. We provide the fundamentals, and each student can apply their own unique flair for their own interests, region and circumstances with the one-on-one guidance of a tutor. There is also a bit of student directed research involved.

Employers value candidates with industry skills, knowledge, practical skills and formal learning. Our courses arm you with all of these things to help prepare you for a job or start your own business. The longer you study the more you will learn.

ACS has an arrangement with OAMPS (formerly AMP) who can arrange Professional Indemnity from Australian and New Zealand graduates across all disciplines. Ph: 1800 222 012 or email acs@oamps.com.au.


Who are ACS Distance Education?

ACS Distance Education have been educating people for over 40 years.

We are established and safe- we have been in education for over 40 years.
We are focused on developing innovative courses that are relevant to you now and what you will need to know in the future.
We are focused on helping you learn and make the most of your experience.
You can enrol at any time, you can work on your course when it suits you and at your own pace.
We are connected to many industry bodies and our staff participate in continuous improvement and learning activities to ensure that we are ahead of what learning is needed for the future.

Our courses are not accredited by the Australian Government. However many of our courses are recognised and held in high regard by many industry bodies.

Our courses are written by our staff, who all have many years experience and have qualifications in their speciality area. We have lots of academic staff who write and update our courses regularly.


How do I enrol my staff/ sponsored students?

Yes, you can do a request for a bulk enrolment and request an invoice on our Invoice Request Form

We can prepare an invoice, quote or proforma invoice. Simply complete your details on our Invoice Request form

We can arrange bulk discounts for your course enrolment, please get in touch with us to discuss your needs.

Yes, we have many students who are in locked facilities, such as prisons or hospitals. We can cater by also offering paper notes at an additional cost.


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Course Contributors

The following academics were involved in the development and/or updating of this course.

Lyn Quirk

M.Prof.Ed.; Adv.Dip.Compl.Med (Naturopathy); Adv.Dip.Sports Therapy
Over 30 years as Health Club Manager, Fitness Professional, Teacher, Coach and Business manager in health, fitness and leisure industries. As business owner and former department head for TAFE, she brings a wealth of skills and experience to her role as a tutor for ACS.

Tracey Jones (Psychologist)

B.Sc. (Psych), M.Soc.Sc., Dip.Social Work, P.G.Dip Learning Disability, Cert Editing, Cert Creative Writing, PGCE.
Member British Psychological Society, Member Assoc. for Coaching, Member British Learning Assoc.
25 years industry experience in writing, editing, education, psychology, and business. Tracey has several books and hundreds of articles published; in both fiction and non fiction.

John Mason

Writer, Manager, Teacher and Businessman with over 40 years interenational experience covering Education, Publishing, Leisure Management, Education, and Horticulture. He has extensive experience both as a public servant, and as a small business owner.
John is a well respected member of many professional associations, and author of over seventy books and of over two thousand magazine articles.

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