Elective course - Culture & Morality
Course content
Content: Culture and morality are the basis of social life. If the social sciences, and psychology in particular, is going to have anything cogent to say about people and contemporary societies then a firm theoretical comprehension of culture and morality is necessary. The readings on this course are drawn from the social sciences, humanities, and the law. Specifically, we will read foundational texts in cultural and moral psychology, philosophical texts on value pluralism, and examine legal cases from psychological, anthropological, sociological, perspectives. These readings will serve as an entry point into class discussions related to provocative cultural practices (polygamy, education quotas, circumcision, minarets, inequalities, honor killings). Each week different students will present assigned readings. We will then have in-depth discussion based on the material. There will be group work, debates, as well as final presentations, based on students emerging viewpoints. Students must successfully complete continuous class activities (active engagement in weekly classes; a presentation of one text and one final presentation on your topic of choice). Once these conditions are satisfactorily met, students may sit the final exam. You must write two final “op – ed” style essays (100% of grade). One will be a self-chosen topic, approved by me, related to the course discussions. The other opinion piece will be chosen from a choice of three topics provided by me. Our weekly readings, presentations, discussions, and debates will inform the types and content of opinion pieces you will write.
The course is open to:
- Bachelor Programmes in Psychology
Full-degree students enrolled at the Faculty of Social Science, UCPH
- Bachelor Programmes in Sociology
- Bachelor programme in Political Science
- Bachelor Programme in Anthropology
The course is open to:
- Exchange and Guest students from abroad
Knowledge:
- Students will learn foundational theories in culture and morality; the philosophical foundations of value pluralism; and contemporary issues concerned with migration, integration, and provocative cultural practices.
Skills:
- Students will learn how to think, not what to think. They will learn to embody the ontological principle of attempting to obtain “the view from manywheres.”
- Students will learn how to apply theoretical frameworks and philosophical ideas to comprehend, orientate towards, and address, some of the most pressing societal issues of our times.
Competences:
- Students will be taught how to learn generalizable and translatable competencies from this class. This includes developing presentation skills, learning how to analyze cases and reason through logical arguments through in-class discussion and debate, learning to “give and take” during the push and pull of in-class discussion, to speak as though they are right and listen as though they are wrong.
- They will learn how to triangulate their informed viewpoints based. They will learn to succinctly communicate these viewpoints by writing short opinion pieces.
The course will be taught as a Socratic seminar
BA 600 defined pages.
MA students can add 200 self-chosen standard pages.
An up-to-date syllabus list will be available in the course room on Absalon just before the start of the semester.
When registered you will be signed up for exam.
- Full-degree students – sign up at Selfservice on KUnet
- Exchange and guest students from abroad – sign up through Mobility Online and Selfservice- read more through this website.
- Credit students from Danish universities - sign up through this website.
The dates for the exams are found here Exams – Faculty of Social Sciences - University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)
Please note that it is your own responsibility to check for overlapping exam dates.
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
-
Home assignment
- Type of assessment details
- Take-home assignment on topic of student's choice
Students will write an exam consisting of two “op – ed” style essays. One will be a self-chosen topic, approved by the teacher, related to the course discussions. The other opinion piece will be chosen from a choice of three topics provided by the teacher.
BA students can write a max of 8 standard pages.
MA students can write a max of 12 standard pages.
Minimum attendance of 75% to sit the exam. In addition, all students must be deemed to have actively participated in class discussions. They must have presented effectively on one text and also attended and given a final presentation in the last class. Under these conditions can they move forward and take the final assessment. - Examination prerequisites
-
For all elective courses, the attendance requirement is 75%. However, the course is based on full participation.
- Aid
- All aids allowed
Unless otherwise specified, the Department of Psychology prohibits the use of generative AI software and large language models (AI/LLMs), such as ChatGPT, for generating novel and creative content in written exams. However, students may use AI/LLMs to enhance the presentation of their own original work, such as text editing, argument validation, or improving statistical programming code. Students must disclose in an appendix if and how AI/LLMs were used; this appendix will not count toward the page limit of the exam. This policy is in place to ensure that students’ written exams accurately reflect their own knowledge and understanding of the material.
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
- Exam period
-
Exam information:
The examination date can be found in the exam schedule here
- Re-exam
-
Reexam information:
The reexamination date/period can be found in the reexam schedule here
Criteria for exam assessment
Students are assessed on the extent to which they master the learning outcome for the course.
To obtain the top grade “12”, the student must with no or only a few minor weaknesses be able to demonstrate an excellent performance displaying a high level of command of all aspects of the relevant material and can make use of the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the learning outcomes.
To obtain the passing grade “02”, the student must in a satisfactory way be able to demonstrate a minimal acceptable level of the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the learning outcomes.
- Category
- Hours
- Class Instruction
- 30
- English
- 30
Kursusinformation
- Language
- English
- Course number
- APSB21764U
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Programme level
- Bachelor
Full Degree MasterMaster’s minor subject
- Duration
-
1 semester
- Placement
- Autumn
- Schedulegroup
-
C
- Capacity
- 30 students
- Studyboard
- Department of Psychology, Study Council
Contracting department
- Department of Psychology
- Department of Anthropology
- Department of Political Science
- Department of Sociology
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Social Sciences
Course Coordinator
- Seamus Anthony Power (12-7769657179773274737b69764474777d326f7932686f)
Er du BA- eller KA-studerende?
Kursusinformation for indskrevne studerende