ETHICAL CHOICE
(PL 200)
Spring, 2007
T TH 9:30-10:50, HC 003
Dr.
Bill Myers
Office:
HC 222
Office
phone: 226-4868
Office
Hours: MW 1-3; TTH 1:00-2:00 and by appt.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to
a philosophical way of thinking about a number of the moral problems facing our
world today. The world in which we live
is complex and pluralistic. The issues that face us as members of both society
and the human race are often dizzying.
As participants in this pluralistic world, we are often faced with
making moral decisions about our everyday lives. This class is designed to
sharpen our skills when it comes to dealing with complex moral problems. To
that end, the class will consist of a blend of both theoretical and applied
reflection.
TEXT: Contemporary Moral Problems, 8th ed. James E. White, ed.
Wadsworth Publishing Company, 2006.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
|
Exam
one: Exam
two: Exam
three: Homework
and case studies: Class
attendance and participation: |
25% 25% 25% 15% 10% |
EXAMS:
There will be three exams in this class. The exams
will be a mix of objective and essay questions. You will need to bring a blue
book to each exam period. IMPORTANT
NOTE: MAKEUP EXAMS WILL NOT BE GIVEN
UNLESS ARRANGEMENTS ARE MADE PRIOR TO THE EXAM. IF YOU DO NOT MAKE PRIOR
ARRANGEMENTS AND YOU MISS AN EXAM, YOU WILL GET A ZERO ON THAT EXAM.
HOMEWORK:
There will be weekly homework. Your homework
assignments are noted in the syllabus. From any given week, you will write on
one (and only one--your choice) of the listed questions. For weeks that we have
case discussions, you will write only for the discussion day. The homework is
to be turned in for the class period assigned. You may turn in your homework on
Tuesday or Thursday, whichever you choose, but it must be the one assigned for
that day. I will take these up every class period and will count five of
them--I will choose which weeks to grade them. Homework assignments cannot be
made up. They may be done in advance, but I will not take them late. These
questions should take no more than a page or so to answer.
CASE STUDIES:
For case study days, you will need to download the case
from the online syllabus. There will be discussion questions provided with the
case studies. Specific directions will be given with each one.
CLASS PARTICIPATION AND
ATTENDANCE:
This portion of your grade will be based on your
actual participation in class and on your attendance. Attendance will be taken
every class period. Attendance is
expected and, as you will soon see, necessary in order for you to do well in
this class. Excessive absences (more
than 3) will result in the lowering of your final letter grade up to one full
letter grade. After your 6th absence, it
will no longer be possible for you to pass the class.
POLICY ON TARDINESS:
Habitual tardiness is irresponsible, rude, and disruptive. To discourage it, every tardy beyond the first two will result in the lowering of the final class average by one point. No excuses will be accepted. You have two—use them judiciously.
CLASSROOM RULES:
Two rules for the sake of courtesy: First, eating is not allowed in HC classrooms. Don’t bring food to class. Second, turn off your cell phone when you come to class. If I hear your cell phone ring, vibrate, or otherwise make its presence known, you will be immediately dismissed from class and counted absent for that day.
HONOR CODE:
You will, of course, be expected to abide by the Honor Code in regard to all of your assignments. Regarding exams, it is acceptable and even encouraged that you study with one another. However, come exam time, your work must be your own. The same applies to your homework. Blatant violations of the honor code will result in your failing this class.
2/6 Introduction and questions
2/8 Philosophy, moral argumentation, and
fallacies
2/13 Ethical Egoism; Religion and Ethics (HW:
page 18, #3; p.27, #4)
2/15 Natural Law, Moral Sentiment; Ethical
Relativism (HW: p. 30, #1; 33, #3; 37 #4)
2/20 Utilitarianism, Kant, and Virtue (HW: p.
44, #1; p. 50, #2; p.59, # 2)
2/22 Justice and Feminism (HW: p. 66, #1; p. 74,
#3)
2/27 Small group case discussion, brief review
(HW: Cases)
3/1 Exam 1
3/6 First Issue: The Moral Status of Animals
(HW: p. 378, #2; p. 387 #3)
3/8 No class—I’m out of town.
3/13 Continued
3/15 Continued
(HW: Cases)
3/20
and 22 –Spring Break!!
3/27 Second Issue: Abortion (HW: p. 103, #6; p.
137, #8)
3/29 Continued (HW: p. 125, #4; p. 147 #8)
4/3 Continued
4/5 Discussion: Problem cases and review (HW:
Cases)
4/10 Exam 2
4/12 Third Issue: Capital Punishment
4/17 Continued (HW p. 248, #2; p. 279, #3)
4/19 Continued (HW—you must do the 17th)
4/24 Continued: problem cases and discussion
(HW: Cases)
4/26 Honors day--no classes
5/1 Fourth Issue: Sexuality (HW p.266,
#1; p.285, # 2
5/3 Continued
(HW: p. 277, #5; p. 283, #5)
5/8 Continued
5/10 Continued: problem cases and discussion
(HW: Cases)
5/16 Exam three:
9 – 12.