Applied philosophy, specialization

Introduction to Philosophy and Its History, Introduction to Argumentation and Philosophy of Social Sciences, Introduction to Ethics and Social Philosophy, Introduction to Logic, Introduction to Epistemology, Introduction to Philosophy of Language

During the course, students will deepen their knowledge of one central theme or question in applied philosophy, its related concepts, scientific debate and philosophical argumentation. The field of applied philosophy includes, e.g., applied ethics, bioethics and politics, medical ethics, professional ethics, environmental philosophy, ethics and politics, philosophy of health, philosophy of technology and philosophy of justification of war. After completing the course, students will be able to use this knowledge in writing their Master's thesis.

The reading list is a recommendation. The purpose of the list is to guide students in finding appropriate literature, not to direct them to use exactly the literature below in their essays or book examinations.  Students are recommended to select the appropriate literature on the subject matter and immediate background of their Master's thesis. Students are urged to discuss their choices with their Master's thesis supervisor, and the selected literature is always to be agreed upon with the examiner in advance and in good time. The selected literature must aim to build a sensible whole that is sufficiently coherent in terms of the chosen topic.

Airaksinen T: 'Mitä on käytännöllinen etiikka' (Ajatus 40, 1983, s. 87-99). Airaksinen T (toim.): Ammattien ja ansaitsemisen etiikka ja Tekniikka, luovuus, onnellisuus. Attfield R: Environmental Ethics: An Overview for the Twenty-first Century. Chadwick R (toim.): Ethics and the Professions. Cullity G: The Moral Demands of Affluence. Donaldson, S. and Kymlicka, W: Zoopolis: a political theory of animal rights. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Dyson A & Harris J (toim.): Ethics and Biotechnology Glover J: Causing Death and Saving Lives. Hargrove E: Foundations of Environmental Ethics. Harris J & Holm S (toim.): The Future of Human Reproduction. Häyry M: Rationality and the genetic challenge: Making people better? Kilpi J: The Ethics of Bankruptcy. Palmer, C. (ed.) Animal rights. Hampshire, England: Ashgate. Singer, P: Practical ethics. 2nd edn. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Target group

Major students can participate in the specialisation courses already during their second year of study if such courses help them find a topic for their proseminar course or Bachelor's thesis.

Timing

Examinarium examinations and essays can be completed throughout the academic year. Lecture courses are offered during the University teaching periods.

Completion methods

Lecture course, essay or literature examination in the Examinarium electronic examination facility. The thematic entity and literature for each essay and Faculty examination is always to be agreed upon in advance with the examiner. Students are recommended to complete specialisation studies related to their Master's thesis research.

If the resources allow the course can be part of open university studies. The method of completion may differ from the program in the case of open university studies.

Assessment practices and criteria

Assessment is based on a course or Examinarium exam. Assessment is carried out on a scale of 0 to 5, based on the course learning outcomes.

Other information

Language of instruction: Finnish, Swedish or English