This element involves students developing an understanding of ethical concepts and issues.
Students learn to recognise ethical concepts and explore ethical issues in context. They identify, examine and give examples of ethical concepts. They discuss, analyse and explore dimensions of ethical concepts in context. In developing and acting with ethical understanding, students:
- recognise ethical concepts
- explore ethical concepts in context.
Level 5
Typically by the end of Year 8, students:
Recognise ethical concepts
analyse behaviours that exemplify the dimensions and challenges of ethical concepts
Explore ethical concepts in context
analyse the ethical dimensions of beliefs and the need for action in a range of settings
Level 6
Typically by the end of Year 10, students:
Recognise ethical concepts
critique generalised statements about ethical concepts
Explore ethical concepts in context
distinguish between the ethical and non-ethical dimensions of complex issues
This element involves students reasoning when making decisions and acting ethically.
Students consider the consequences of and reflect on ethical action. They analyse the reasoning behind stances when making ethical decisions and evaluate the intended and unintended consequences of actions in an increasing range of scenarios. Students articulate understandings of a range of ethical responses in social contexts. In developing and acting with ethical understanding, students:
- reason and make ethical decisions
- consider consequences
- reflect on ethical action.
Level 5
Typically by the end of Year 8, students:
Reason and make ethical decisions
analyse inconsistencies in personal reasoning and societal ethical decision making
Consider consequences
investigate scenarios that highlight ways that personal dispositions and actions can affect consequences
Reflect on ethical action
analyse perceptions of occurrences and possible ethical response in challenging scenarios
Level 6
Typically by the end of Year 10, students:
Reason and make ethical decisions
investigate reasons for clashes of beliefs in issues of personal, social and global importance
Consider consequences
analyse the objectivity or subjectivity behind decision making where there are many possible consequences
Reflect on ethical action
evaluate diverse perceptions and ethical bases of action in complex contexts
This element involves students identifying and examining values and exploring rights and responsibilities of individuals and groups in a range of contexts and practices.
Students use instances of expressed values to explain social interactions and to determine rights and responsibilities in social and legal domains. They recognise and interpret points of view in ethical contexts. In developing and acting with ethical understanding, students:
- examine values
- explore rights and responsibilities
- consider points of view.
Level 5
Typically by the end of Year 8, students:
Examine values
assess the relevance of beliefs and the role and application of values in social practices
Explore rights and responsibilities
analyse rights and responsibilities in relation to the duties of a responsible citizen
Consider points of view
draw conclusions from a range of points of view associated with challenging ethical dilemmas
Level 6
Typically by the end of Year 10, students:
Examine values
analyse and explain the interplay of values in national and international forums and policy making
Explore rights and responsibilities
evaluate the merits of conflicting rights and responsibilities in global contexts
Consider points of view
use reasoning skills to prioritise the relative merits of points of view about complex ethical dilemmas