RS4S02 - Buddhist Ethics 09 Jan 2020 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 1
Associated Module Information
| Module Code: | RS4S02 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Module Title: | Buddhist Ethics | ||
| Faculty: | Faculty of Business and Creative Industries | ||
| Faculty Group: | Culture and Animation | ||
| Faculty Sub Group: | Culture | ||
| Module Leader: | Nick Swann | ||
| Module Team: | |||
| First Intended Intake: | FEB 2020 | Final Year of Intake: | 2025 |
| Date Closed: | |||
| Credit Value: | 20 | Credit Level: | 7 |
| Language: | English | ||
| Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: | 0 | ||
| Equivalent Module: | |||
| HECOS codes: | 100798 - buddhism | ||
| HECOS Code Weighting: | 100 | ||
Document Version Information
| Version | 1 |
|---|---|
| Valid From | 09 Jan 2020 |
| Valid To | 31 Aug 2026 |
Module Aims
1. to engage students with scholarship on Buddhist Ethics in both theory and practice across a number of different cultures.
2. to develop students’ critical skills with regard to the textual study of Buddhism.
Content Summary
Theoretical foundations of Buddhist ethics; key values; a range of ethical issues in light of Buddhist textual materials, views of contemporary Buddhists, and past and present behaviour of Buddhists.
Introduction; The impact of Buddhist karma theory on its ethics; Ethics and the early Buddhist analysis of reality; The role of ethics within the ordinary and Ennobling Eightfold Path; Buddhist and Western ethical theories; Assessing degrees of culpability in the Suttas and Vinaya; The nature of Buddhist lay precepts; Ethics and monasticism; The nature and role of lovingkindness and compassion; Family, social and political ideals; Mahayana Bodhisattva-precepts; Skilful means and the compassionate breaking of precepts; Ethics in the later forms of Mahayana Buddhism; Engaged Buddhism; Buddhism and human rights Buddhism, war and peace: theory; Buddhists' involvement in war and conflict; Buddhist actions for peace; Attitude to and treatment of animals; Buddhism and environmentalism; Lay and monastic economic ethics; 'Buddhist economics', capitalism and consumerism; Buddhism on suicide and self-immolation; Buddhism on Euthanasia and organ donation; Buddhist perspectives on abortion; Buddhism and abortion: practical issues; Buddhism and sexual equality: theory; Buddhism and sexual equality: practice; LGBTQ+ Buddhism.
Learning and Teaching Methods
| Activity Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Independent Study | 100 |
| Directed Study | 60 |
| Active/Simulation Based | 40 |
| Total Hours Selected | 200 |
Learning Outcomes
| # | Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| LO1 | Appraise the key principles of Buddhist ethics and the way in which these inform approaches to practical issues in ethics. |
| LO2 | Evaluate the content and nature of debates and divergent perceptions within Buddhist ethics. |
Assessment Criteria
| Assessment Category | Assessment Type | Description | Duration | Word Count | Weight (%) | Best of? | Pass Mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asynchronous Assessment | Literature/book/paper review 1 | A book review of a title agreed with the tutor. | 0 | 1000 | 20 | No | 40 |
| Asynchronous Assessment | Essay 1 | An essay chosen from a range of titles or negotiated with a tutor. | 0 | 4500 | 80 | No | 40 |
Assessment Matrix
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| LO1 | LO2 | ||
| Literature/book/paper review 1 | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Essay 1 | ✔ | ✔ | |