Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Ethics

Purpose

There is a significant demand for people trained in ethics and independent critical thinking skills in business, industry, government and policy-formulation circles, given the ethical challenges stemming from rapid developments in science and technology, and their sometimes ambiguous impact on society. The qualification develops a learner with skills to think critically and independently and to act to provide a sensible judgement through the consideration of all relevant factors.

The Diploma is particularly meant to train learners in basic skills related to ethics in order to optimally prepare them to make ethical choices and decisions in the workplace. It also prepares learners for the Degree studies with which this qualification will articulate. Learners will find the different philosophical and religious perspectives on morality and human experience both challenging and rewarding and will come to appreciate the diversity and richness of human cultures. The qualification aims to develop conceptual understanding and synthesis in Applied Ethics.

The qualification serves to strengthen the learners' knowledge of and competency in the field of applied ethics, as informed by the discipline of Philosophy. Practical skills, such as the ability to analyse and critically reflect on moral problems and case studies specifically will also be developed. The purpose is to enable learners to undertake advanced reflection and development, and requires a relatively high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence.

Rationale

The aim of this Postgraduate Diploma is to clarify thinking about moral issues in concrete circumstances, and to contribute towards their resolution in decision-making, policy choices and management strategies.

There has also been a remarkable growth of interest in the ethics of business, from abstract issues concerning the nature, roles and obligations of corporations to more concrete issues in the workplace, such as confidentiality or whistle-blowing. This qualification engages learners in the ethical challenges of a developing nation. The qualification is designed to equip professional people in government, business, non-governmental organisations and community-based organisations with the knowledge, skills and strategies to successfully address moral issues in their fields of expertise. It will also benefit anyone with a general interest in philosophy and applied ethics. The need for ethics expertise is universally acknowledged. There is an urgent growth in the need for ethical knowledge, expertise and skills in the fields of health care, business and management and environmental policy making.

The learner should

• Be able to read and critically evaluate academic text in English and communicate information and their own ideas orally and in written text that is grammatically correct, well structured, clear and concise, using accepted standards of scientific and academic writing at NQF Level 7.
• Be competent in the general theoretical, practical, professional and academic knowledge and understanding developed in learning at NQF Level 7.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning may be used to grant

• Access to the qualification to those learners who do not meet the minimum access requirements.
• Credits towards the qualification.

Recognition of Prior Learning is subject to University policy.

Access to the Qualification

Access to this qualification is open to anyone in possession of

• A Bachelor Degree (NQF Level 7).

OR

• A relevant NQF Level 7 qualification.

The qualification will require the completion of four NQF Level 8 compulsory modules worth 30 credits each.

Modules

• Introduction to Philosophy and critical thinking skills.
• Introduction to Ethics and Applied Ethics.
• Contemporary trends in moral philosophy.
• Methodology of case studies in Applied Ethics.

1. Knowledge of issues, problems, ideas, discourses, traditions, processes, structures and trends pertaining to the foundations of comparative and applied ethics is demonstrated and applied.
2. Understanding of religious, philosophical and secular approaches to ethics, especially those found in South Africa's main ethical traditions is demonstrated and applied.
3. Ethical arguments are prepared and presented.
4. A written portfolio is prepared and presented orally which shows competency in the area of applied ethics.
5. The ability to explore, research, contextualise, synthesise and report in writing on selected ethical applications is demonstrated.

The following criteria are applied in an integrated way to assess competence against the Exit Level Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of fundamental principles of ethics in a comparative multi-disciplinary perspective.
2. Show systematic understanding of religious, cultural, secular and philosophical approaches to ethics, especially those found in South Africa's main ethical traditions.
3. Contextualise ethics with sensitivity to multi-religious, multi-cultural, economic, environmental and political dimensions.
4. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of issues, problems, ideas, discourses, structures and trends pertaining to comparative and applied ethics.
5. Use deductive reasoning and mediate between opposing views in cases of moral conflict and arrive at a morally sensitive judgment in order to resolve a conflict.

Integrated Assessment

The qualification will be assessed as follows

• Module 1: Two tests and two assignments (of which one is a case study).
• Module 2: One test and two assignments.
• Module 3: Four assignments.
• Module 4: One large assignment (comprehensive case study).

The tests will be a mixture of short questions and questions in essay format.

The University of Stellenbosch has a system of external peer review and evaluation of departments that includes an evaluation of standards and assessment practices, which this qualification will be subject to.

The policy for formative and summative assessment will be consistent with that of the University. Specifically for this qualification, assessment will occur on a continuous basis. There will be no final examination. Learners will be assessed based on written assignments throughout the qualification. If a student fails an assignment then she or he may submit a rewritten assignment.

Consistent with Stellenbosch University policy, the qualification coordinator will ensure that the outcomes of the qualification are achieved; that appropriate assessment criteria and assessment methods are used; that integrated assessment takes place; and that learner's feedback on modules and the qualification as a whole is followed up. The Philosophy Department will ensure that assessment standards are upheld and that facilitator has sufficient and appropriate training and/or experience.