Language skills
Programme length
Part time study for one academic year
Study mode
Face-to-face learning
Application status
International students:
Students with Icelandic or Nordic citizenship:
- Do you want to develop your critical thinking skills?
- Do you want to build the skills needed to respond to ethical dilemmas?
- Do you want to learn how best to approach complex problems and find solutions?
- Would you like to learn time management and how to prioritise tasks?
The programme is offered jointly by the University of Iceland and the University of Akureyri and is open to students at both universities.
This programme is suitable for people who:
- are already working
- are prepared to share their knowledge and experience with fellow students
- are willing to develop their skills and knowledge about how to take a reasoned position on all kinds of controversial issues
Programme structure
The programme is 30 ECTS and is organised as one year of part-time study
The programme is made up of:
- Mandatory courses, 24 ECTS
- Restricted electives, 6 ECTS
Organisation of teaching
The programme is taught in Icelandic.
This programme can be completed alongside employment.
Main objectives
Students should develop the ability to formulate their own opinions and back them up with reasoned arguments.
Students should also acquire knowledge and understanding of methods and theories in philosophical ethics and be able to use critical thinking in order to take a reasoned stance on ethical and academic issues.
Other
It is sometimes possible to transfer credits from this programme to an MA programme.
BA degree with first class grade, 7.25.
A Diploma shall require 30 ECTS.
The following documents must accompany an application for this programme:
- CV
- Statement of purpose
- Reference 1, Name and email
- Reference 2, Name and email
- Certified copies of diplomas and transcripts
Further information on supporting documents can be found here
Programme structure
Check below to see how the programme is structured.
This programme does not offer specialisations.
- Year unspecified
- Fall
- Current ethical issues
- Critical Thinking
- Spring 1
- Ethics of Science and Research
- Bioethics and Ethics of Medicine
- Ethics
Year unspecified | Fall
Current ethical issues (HSP723M)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
10 ECTS, credits
Course Description
The focus of this course is the application of ethics to pressing problems and debates in contemporary society. Possible methods for solving ethical dilemmas, both on an individual and social basis, are discussed. The selection of topics may change from year to year, but possible topics include free speech, the status of refugees, animal rights, poverty and economic inequality, gender discrimination, racial discrimination, environmental issues, and various issues in health care. The relation between theoretical and applied ethics is discussed. While instruction includes lectures, student participation in discussion is greatly emphasized.
Language of instruction: English
Face-to-face learning
Prerequisites
Year unspecified | Fall
Critical Thinking (HSP724M)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
6 ECTS, credits
Course Description
The aim of this course is to show students the importance of critical thinking by introducing its main concepts and methods as well as different understandings of the notion. Furthermore, the aim is to train students in critical thinking and argumentation, both in a philosophical and an everyday context. Special emphasis will be placed on analysing arguments and logical diagrams. Common fallacies and stratagems will be discussed, with the aim of learning how to detect and avoid them. The relationship between critical thinking and ethics will be thoroughly examined.
The teaching involves both lectures and discussion sessions. Assignments will primarily be aimed at practical tasks relevant to everyday experiences.
Language of instruction: Icelandic
Face-to-face learning
Prerequisites
Course taught first half of the semester
Year unspecified | Spring 1
Ethics of Science and Research (HSP806F)
Restricted elective course, conditions apply
6 ECTS, credits
Course Description
The course is intended for postgraduate students only. It is adapted to the needs of students from different fields of study. The course is taught over a six-week period.
The course is taught 12th January - 16th February on Fridays from 1:20 pm - 3:40 pm.
Description:
The topics of the course include: Professionalism and the scientist’s responsibilities. Demands for scientific objectivity and the ethics of research. Issues of equality and standards of good practice. Power and science. Conflicts of interest and misconduct in research. Science, academia and industry. Research ethics and ethical decision making.
Objectives:
In this course, the student gains knowledge about ethical issues in science and research and is trained in reasoning about ethical controversies relating to science and research in contemporary society.
The instruction takes the form of lectures and discussion. The course is viewed as an academic community where students are actively engaged in a focused dialogue about the topics. Each student (working as a member of a two-person team) gives a presentation according to a plan designed at the beginning of the course, and other students acquaint themselves with the topic as well for the purpose of participating in a teacher-led discussion.
Language of instruction: English
Face-to-face learning
Course taught first half of the semester
Year unspecified | Spring 1
Bioethics and Ethics of Medicine (HSP823M)
Restricted elective course, conditions apply
6 ECTS, credits
Course Description
A discussion of some controversial issues in the field of bioethics, in particular those relating to developments in genetics and their possible effects upon medical services and health care policy.
Language of instruction: Icelandic
Face-to-face learning
Prerequisites
Year unspecified | Spring 1
Ethics (HSP808F)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
8 ECTS, credits
Course Description
This course provides an overview of three principal moral theories: Aristotle's virtue ethics as presented in his Nichomachean Ethics, Kant's deontoloical ethics as presented in his Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals and John Stuart Mill's rule ethics as presented in his Utilitarianism.
Language of instruction: Icelandic
Face-to-face learning
Year unspecified
- Fall
- HSP723MCurrent ethical issuesMandatory (required) course10A mandatory (required) course for the programme10 ECTS, creditsCourse Description
The focus of this course is the application of ethics to pressing problems and debates in contemporary society. Possible methods for solving ethical dilemmas, both on an individual and social basis, are discussed. The selection of topics may change from year to year, but possible topics include free speech, the status of refugees, animal rights, poverty and economic inequality, gender discrimination, racial discrimination, environmental issues, and various issues in health care. The relation between theoretical and applied ethics is discussed. While instruction includes lectures, student participation in discussion is greatly emphasized.
Face-to-face learningPrerequisitesHSP724MCritical ThinkingMandatory (required) course6A mandatory (required) course for the programme6 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThe aim of this course is to show students the importance of critical thinking by introducing its main concepts and methods as well as different understandings of the notion. Furthermore, the aim is to train students in critical thinking and argumentation, both in a philosophical and an everyday context. Special emphasis will be placed on analysing arguments and logical diagrams. Common fallacies and stratagems will be discussed, with the aim of learning how to detect and avoid them. The relationship between critical thinking and ethics will be thoroughly examined.
The teaching involves both lectures and discussion sessions. Assignments will primarily be aimed at practical tasks relevant to everyday experiences.
Face-to-face learningPrerequisitesCourse taught first half of the semester- Spring 2
HSP806FEthics of Science and ResearchRestricted elective course6Restricted elective course, conditions apply6 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThe course is intended for postgraduate students only. It is adapted to the needs of students from different fields of study. The course is taught over a six-week period.
The course is taught 12th January - 16th February on Fridays from 1:20 pm - 3:40 pm.
Description:
The topics of the course include: Professionalism and the scientist’s responsibilities. Demands for scientific objectivity and the ethics of research. Issues of equality and standards of good practice. Power and science. Conflicts of interest and misconduct in research. Science, academia and industry. Research ethics and ethical decision making.
Objectives:
In this course, the student gains knowledge about ethical issues in science and research and is trained in reasoning about ethical controversies relating to science and research in contemporary society.The instruction takes the form of lectures and discussion. The course is viewed as an academic community where students are actively engaged in a focused dialogue about the topics. Each student (working as a member of a two-person team) gives a presentation according to a plan designed at the beginning of the course, and other students acquaint themselves with the topic as well for the purpose of participating in a teacher-led discussion.
Face-to-face learningPrerequisitesCourse taught first half of the semesterHSP823MBioethics and Ethics of MedicineRestricted elective course6Restricted elective course, conditions apply6 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionA discussion of some controversial issues in the field of bioethics, in particular those relating to developments in genetics and their possible effects upon medical services and health care policy.
Face-to-face learningPrerequisitesHSP808FEthicsMandatory (required) course8A mandatory (required) course for the programme8 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThis course provides an overview of three principal moral theories: Aristotle's virtue ethics as presented in his Nichomachean Ethics, Kant's deontoloical ethics as presented in his Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals and John Stuart Mill's rule ethics as presented in his Utilitarianism.
Face-to-face learningPrerequisites
The University of Iceland collaborates with over 400 universities worldwide. This provides a unique opportunity to pursue part of your studies at an international university thus gaining added experience and fresh insight into your field of study.
Students generally have the opportunity to join an exchange programme, internship, or summer courses. However, exchanges are always subject to faculty approval.
Students have the opportunity to have courses evaluated as part of their studies at the University of Iceland, so their stay does not have to affect the duration of their studies.
An education in this area can open up opportunities in various different fields.
Examples include:
- public administration
- finance and business
- pedagogical roles, teaching
- non-governmental organisations
- freelance work
This list is not exhaustive.
There is no specific student organisation for this programme, but students meet frequently in the Student Cellar.
Students appreciate the University of Iceland for its strong academic reputation, modern campus facilities, close-knit community, and affordable tuition.
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School of Humanities
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