Ethical Worlds (L6308S)

30 credits, Level 6

Spring teaching

Are there universal conceptions of right and wrong, or are ethics the product of local traditions? How can anthropologists understand how values of different peoples guide the decisions they make?

On this module, you’ll explore how anthropologists study and interpret the ethical practices of the people they research. You’ll study theories of ethics with real-world ethnographic examples, engaging with:

  • human rights
  • deontology
  • virtue ethics.

Through this, you’ll understand how moral systems function in diverse societies. You’ll also challenge universalist assumptions around morality and engage with decolonial, feminist and Marxist critiques.

In applying anthropological insights to today’s ethical issues, you’ll prepare for careers in research, policy and beyond.

Teaching

100%: Seminar

Assessment

100%: Written assessment (Essay)

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 300 hours of work. This breaks down into about 30 hours of contact time and about 270 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We鈥檙e planning to run these modules in the academic year 2026/27. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We鈥檒l make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

Courses

This module is offered on the following courses: