MSc Global Ethics and Justice

Program Overview

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Through interdisciplinary studies of key issues like climate change and international trade, graduates develop critical perspectives that prepare them for careers in academia, research, advocacy, and international development. The program offers flexibility for full-time or part-time study, opportunities for research placements with NGOs, and a choice between standard and practice-based dissertations.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

The MSc Global Ethics and Justice is a postgraduate degree program offered by the University of Birmingham's Department of Philosophy. It aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of key global issues and provide them with the conceptual and analytical frameworks necessary to critically analyze the ethical dimensions of these issues. The program focuses on topics such as international trade, climate change, war and violence, terrorism, and applies ethical theories to these areas.

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Objectives:

• Develop knowledge of key global issues.
• Provide conceptual and analytical frameworks to understand and reflect on the ethical dimensions of global issues.
• Offer a range of core modules to provide a foundation for studies.
• Allow students to apply their learning to areas of specific interest through dissertation topic selection.
• Provide opportunities for research seminars and placements with NGOs or equivalent organizations.

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Description:

The program is designed to be flexible and can be studied full-time or part-time. It is suitable for recent graduates, post-experience students, those seeking PhD research in related fields, and individuals with a personal interest in global ethics. The Department of Philosophy boasts a team of world-leading researchers working on topics such as health and wellbeing, climate change, human rights, war and intervention, bioethics, and gender justice. The program often requires an interdisciplinary approach to ethics and international affairs to critically analyze complex issues in a globalized world.

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Outline:

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Content:

The program covers a range of topics related to global ethics and justice, including:

• International trade
• Climate change
• War and violence
• Terrorism
• World poverty
• Global economic order
• Global distributive justice
• Structural injustice
• Human rights theory
• Human development and care ethics
• Cosmopolitanism vs priority for compatriots
• Immigration and freedom of movement
• Just war theory
• Humanitarian intervention
• Global gender justice

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Structure:

The program consists of six taught modules and a dissertation. Students can choose to complete a standard dissertation or a practice-based dissertation.

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Course Schedule:

• Full-time: Modules are spread over the first two teaching terms, with three modules typically taken in each term.
The dissertation is completed in the summer.
• Part-time: Modules are spread over four teaching terms (autumn and spring of year one, and autumn and spring of year two).
The dissertation is completed in year two.

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Modules:

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Core Modules:

• Ethics and Global Ethics: This module introduces key concepts and debates in ethics, with a focus on the global dimension of current ethical problems.
It explores prominent traditions in ethical theory and applies normative ethical theories to concrete ethical questions. Assessment: One or two written assignments totaling 4,000 words.
• Topics in Global Justice: This module focuses on applying dominant contemporary moral theories to significant issues in global ethics and politics.
Topics include world poverty, justice and the global economic order, global distributive justice, structural injustice, human rights theory, human development, climate change, cosmopolitanism, immigration, just war theory, terrorism, humanitarian intervention, and global gender justice. Assessment: One or two written assignments totaling 4,000 words.
• Research Skills and Methods in Philosophy: This module provides an introduction to the methods of contemporary philosophy, covering critical thinking, reading in philosophy, research skills, dissertation planning, and presenting philosophical arguments.
It also includes online sessions focused on generic research skills. Assessment: Two 2,000-word essays.

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Optional Modules:

• Bioethics
• God, Freedom and the Meaning of Life
• Human Rights
• Philosophy and Mental Health
• Global Ethics Placement: This module involves a placement in an organization of choice, such as an NGO or policy-making organization, allowing students to explore the practice of global ethics.
Assessment: 6,000-word project report.

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Dissertation:

• Standard Dissertation: A substantial and sustained investigation of a topic related to global ethics and justice, culminating in a 15,000-word dissertation.
• Practice-Based Dissertation: A more applied, contextualized approach to independent research, ideal for those with careers or seeking to enhance employability.
It involves a placement at an NGO or policy-based organization, producing a practical output, and writing a theoretically informed dissertation about the experience.

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Assessment:

The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods, including:

• Written assignments
• Essays
• Project reports
• Dissertations

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Teaching:

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Methods:

• Seminars
• Research seminars
• Online sessions

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Faculty:

The program is taught by a team of world-leading researchers in the Department of Philosophy.

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Unique Approaches:

• Interdisciplinary approach to ethics and international affairs.
• Opportunities for placements with NGOs or equivalent organizations.
• Choice between standard and practice-based dissertations.

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Careers:

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Potential Career Paths:

• Teaching and lecturing
• Social work
• Policy analysis
• Research
• Advocacy
• International development
• Human rights work

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Opportunities:

• The program provides excellent preparation for a range of careers in academia and beyond.
• The University of Birmingham's Careers Network offers expert guidance and activities for postgraduates.
• The College of Arts and Law has a dedicated careers and employability team.

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Outcomes:

• Graduates develop highly desirable skills, including articulacy, analytical thought, and argumentation.
• The program provides a strong foundation for careers in various fields.

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Other:

• Students are encouraged to participate in the Postgraduate Seminar and PhilSoc meetings to gain insights from academics and peers.
• The program offers support for academic writing through the Academic Writing Advisory Service (AWAS).
• International students can access English Language development support through the Birmingham International Academy (BIA).

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UK: £10,530 full-time; £5,265 part-time

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International: £24,120 full-time

The above fees quoted are for one year only; for those studying over two or more years, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme. Are you an international applicant? All international applicants to this course will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of £2,000 on receipt of an offer, to secure their place. Find out more about the deposit >>. Postgraduate loans Government-backed Masters loans are available to help UK and EU students to finance their studies. For those starting courses after 1 August 2020, loans are available of up to £11,836 for Masters students in all subject areas. Scholarships and studentships Scholarships to cover fees and/or maintenance costs may be available. International students can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships or their home government.