Fall 2003        Philosophy 120 (sec. 7)

MWF 12:10 – 1 pm

 

Ethics

 

 

 

Course Description: What does it mean to act ethically? Why should we choose to do so? How clearly and precisely are we able to define ethically right action? This course will provide an introduction to ethics through the study of normative ethical theories such as Utilitarianism, Kant’s ethics, and Greek virtue ethics, and considering how these theories fare when applied to thorny moral issues such as capital punishment and sexual morality. The objective of this course is for the students, while sharpening their critical skills, to develop a familiarity with moral principles and issues and an appreciation of their complexity.

 

 

Texts: 1. Mappes and Zembaty, eds., Social Ethics: Morality and Social Policy. 6th Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2001.

2. Immanuel Kant, Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals: With on a Supposed Right to Lie Because of Philanthropic Concerns, trans. James W. Ellington, 3rd ed. (Indianapolis: Hackett, 1993).

3. John Stuart Mill, Utilitarianism, 2nd ed. (Indianapolis: Hackett, 2002)

            4. Assorted photocopies distributed in class

 

 

Grading:         Attendance and                                                                

     Class Participation               10%                            

                        Group Projects                         20%                            

                        Take Home Quiz                      10%                

                        Exams (3)                                 60%                

                                                                                               

                        A+       97-100                                                                                    

                        A         93-96                                                                                      

                        A-        90-92

                        B+       87-89

                        B          83-86

                        B-        80-82

                        C+       77-79

                        C         73-76

                        C-        70-72                                                                                                              

                        D+       67-69

                        D         63-66

                        D-        60-62

                        F          0-60                                                                                                                            

 

1. Exams and Take-Home Quiz: Most of your grade will be based on a take-home quiz and three in-class exams. These will include an essay question and several short-answer questions. Each student can only make up one exam: You must have a valid excuse (e.g., illness or family emergency) and make it up before the next session of class. Contact me as early as possible to make arrangements.

 

2. Group Assignments: There will be several group assignments, including discussions, class presentations, and papers. Some class time will be provided, but these assignments will require additional time outside of class. Plagiarism will not be tolerated.

 

3. Class Participation: Most of our class time will be spent in discussion, and each student’s participation is encouraged and expected. Informed participation requires a careful reading of assigned texts ahead of class. Achieving an adequate grasp of the material and doing well on the written assignments is only possible through careful reading and active class participation.

 

4. Attendance: Prompt and consistent attendance is expected and is in your best interest because poor attendance and tardies will inevitably affect your other grades. Also, attendance is weighed heavily when determining final grades in borderline cases. Excessive absences will reduce your grade: If you have more than 3 absences, your final grade will be reduced one letter grade. You must have less than 6 absences to pass the class. Tardies and leaving early will be counted as half-absences. Valid excuses will be accepted, but they only excuse half of any given absence, tardy, etc. If you miss a class, I recommend that you make arrangements to copy the notes of another student.

 

 

I strongly encourage students with disabilities, including invisible disabilities like chronic diseases and learning disabilities, to discuss with me after class or during my office hours appropriate accommodations that might be helpful to them.