Liverpool Hope University, BA (Hons), Disability Studies and Philosophy and Ethics

Disability studies Modules will focus upon current practice and contemporary issues as well as the historical context from which these emanate; this wide-ranging course is designed to stimulate the student’s awareness and increase their understanding on a personal, intellectual, moral, ethical and professional level. Level 1: Core areas of study: The module, conceptualising disability, considers diverse attitudes and approaches to disability from historical, legislative and ethical perspectives; this provides the understanding for current thinking on issues of inclusion. Level 2: the effective practice module (including a placement) is compulsory; optional modules may include: cognitive, behavioural and mental health difficulties; physical and sensory disability; disability and the family. Level 3: optional modules may include: ethical issues; therapeutic approaches; policy, practice and management in special educational needs (SEN); if the student is majoring in disability studies the research project module is compulsory. Philosophy and Ethics Level 1: The student studies the foundation module explorations in philosophy and ethics; the student is introduced to key ideas and methods in philosophy and ethics. Level 2: typical areas of study include: ethical and political philosophy: we ask questions such as: what is the relationship between political authority and personal freedom? what are our rights, and what are our responsibilities? can terrorism ever be justified? themes in the philosophy of religion: can the existence of God be reconciled with the presence of suffering in the world? does it make sense to talk of life after death? key thinkers in moral philosophy: what do major historical and contemporary figures have to say about ethics and morality? Level 3: typical areas of study include: philosophy, film and identity: in recognising a being as a person, what moral obligation do we owe them, if any? can an artificially constructed entity be considered a person, and what qualities would be required for this to be the case? evil, ethics and texts: how are good and evil represented in literary and cultural texts? dissertation: an 8,000-word independent study

This is a combined Honours programme which allows the student to combine the 2 subjects; the disability studies course represents an opportunity to engage with extremely topical issues relating to disability throughout society and across the lifespan; the course offers the student the opportunity to examine society’s response to its members with disabilities; the philosophy and ethics course explores central questions about what is valuable, what is true and how we ought to act; the student is encouraged to think deeply about important issues, and to relate theoretical ideas to real life concerns, for example, is there such a thing as human rights, and what implications might this have for state treatment of asylum seekers? the student develops powers of critical reasoning and decision making.