UWG Philosophy Program
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PHIL 2120 INTRODUCTION TO ETHICS (3 hours)Fall Semester 2009 sec.01: MWF 10-10:50am (Anthropology Rm.2) sec.02: MWF 11-11:50am (Pafford Rm.102) Prerequisites: NONE Web Site: http://www.westga.edu/~rlane/ethics Email: rlane@westga.edu * |
Instructor: Dr. Robert Lane, TLC 2247 Office Hours: M: 9-9:45am; 12-12:45; 2-3:30pm W: 9-9:45am; 2-3:30pm F: 9-9:45am; 12-12:45; 2-3pm and by appointment My office telephone:
(678) 839-4745 |
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*All email communication must be conducted from your official UWG email account. Students are obligated to check their UWG email accounts on a regular basis and to ensure that their mailboxes do not become full. |
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COURSE DESCRIPTION: Everyone has beliefs about morality, and to some extent we all agree about what actions are right and wrong; for example, we all agree that murder is wrong and that helping those less fortunate than us is right. But there are many moral questions about which people disagree: is abortion immoral? what about physician-assisted suicide? is it wrong to spend money on expensive cars and homes when people in other parts of the world are dying from malnutrition? do non-human animals have rights? This course will enable you critically to evaluate your own beliefs about concrete ethical issues like these. We'll also be dealing with more theoretical questions, such as: where does morality come from? (God? society? or somewhere else?); what makes an ethical argument good or bad?; and what general rules or principles ought we to live by? No prior experience in philosophy is necessary, so if you want to start thinking critically about morality, this course is a great place to begin.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of the semester, each student will be able to
· recognize and apply basic patterns of logical reasoning within ethical contexts
· describe selected theories within meta-ethics and normative ethics, as well as selected arguments for and against those theories
· describe positions and facts relevant to selected issues within applied ethics (such as abortion, physician-assisted suicide, capital punishment, animal rights, torture, and homosexuality)
· summarize the contributions of historically important figures (such as J. S. Mill, Immanuel Kant and Aristotle) to ethical thought
· discuss in both oral and written discourse the ethical theories and issues explored in the course
These course-specific learning outcomes contribute to the departmental learning outcomes of the Philosophy Program by enabling students better to
· discuss the general historical development of the discipline of philosophy and selected major historical figures in philosophy
· ask philosophical questions
· incorporate philosophical positions in oral and written communications
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION: Because of the size of the class, this is primarily a lecture course, although we will regularly take time for class discussions. Reading assignments will be made on a regular basis. In order to benefit fully from lectures, it is a must that you do the reading when it is assigned (especially since you will have regular pop quizzes on your reading).
READING:
· The Right Thing to Do: Basic Readings in Moral Philosophy (5th ed), ed. James Rachels and Stuart Rachels, ISBN = 0073407401 (required)
· The Elements of Moral Philosophy (6th ed.), by James Rachels and Stuart Rachels, ISBN = 0073386713 (required)
· Online lecture notes (after most class meetings, I will post my own lecture notes for that day on the class web site; you are expected to read and study these notes on a regular basis).
EVALUATION:
· Two in-class examinations (30% each). Definition, short answer, essay.
· Comprehensive final examination (30%). Definition, short answer, essay.
· Unannounced pop quizzes on reading assignments and lecture material (10%). We will have at least 12 pop quizzes over the course of the semester. Only the 10 quizzes on which you do best will count toward your grade (i.e., I will drop at least two quizzes). Questions will come both from daily reading assignments and from previous lecture material. These quizzes are intended to motivate you to keep up with assigned readings and to study the lecture notes on a regular basis.
· GRADING SCALE:
100 - 91% A* 90 - 81% B 80 - 71% C 70 - 61% D 60 - 0% F
· You may miss six class meetings with no effect on your grade. Beginning with your seventh absence, you will lose three points from your final average for every class meeting you miss. This policy applies to the first week of class, even for days on which you have not yet registered for the class. I will make exceptions for absences necessitated by UWG-sponsored events or by other circumstances that were absolutely outside your control. However, I will make these exceptions only if ALL of your absences can be accounted for in one of these ways (e.g., if you miss seven classes and you have documented, acceptable reasons for missing only six classes, then your seventh absence will still count against you). Documentation will be required in all cases in which I make an exception to this absence policy.
· Students who miss 12 or more class meetings (four weeks, or one month, worth of classes) will not earn a passing grade in this course. In this case the reason for your absences is irrelevant. If you are unable to attend class for a month due to medical reasons, a family emergency, or any other reason, you should withdraw from the class; if the withdrawal date has passed, you should apply for a hardship withdrawal.
· An early departure or late arrival may be counted as an absence, depending on the circumstances. I will decide in each case whether an early departure or a late arrival counts as an absence. If you know before class that you will not be able to stay for the entire class session, please inform me of this before class and sit as close to the door as possible, so as to cause as small a distraction as possible when you leave.
· Leaving the classroom while class is in session (e.g., to visit the restroom) is both disrespectful and distracting. Do not leave the room during class unless it is absolutely essential that you do so.
· Do not study material from other classes while this class is in session. While you are in this class, I expect your attention to be focused on it rather than on your other courses.
· Please do not eat while class is in session. Drinks are OK).
· Turn off all cell phones and other noise-making electronic devices before class begins.
MISSED TESTS / EXTRA CREDIT:
· If you know that you will need to miss class on a day on which a test is scheduled (for example, due to a UWG sponsored event), you must let me know about your absence as far in advance as possible so that we can schedule another day and time for you to take the test (or a make-up test). If you miss a test without receiving my explicit permission beforehand and making arrangements for a make-up test, you will be permitted to take a make-up test if and only if one of the following conditions applies: (a) Your absence was due to illness or injury serious enough to require professional medical care and which prevented you from contacting me before the test; or (b) Your absence was due to other extenuating circumstances beyond your control. I will determine on a case-by-case basis what constitutes "extenuating circumstances beyond your control." You may be required to provide documentation pertaining to your absence before you are allowed to take a make-up test. Make-up tests will usually be longer and potentially more difficult than the original test that you missed.
· Because you will have at least 12 chances to earn the 10 pop quiz credits you need for full credit, you may not make up missed pop quizzes. To ensure that you do not miss a pop quiz, you should be on time for class every day.
· Extra-credit work will not be given under any circumstances. Work completed for other courses will not be accepted in this course.
RELEVANT INFORMATION FROM THE UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG:
· "each student is responsible for everything which happens in class and is responsible for making specific arrangements with the instructor for the work missed, including that missed during illness or university-sponsored activities"
· "any student who is unable to continue attendance in class should either drop the course, withdraw from the University, or make appropriate arrangements with the instructors"
· "any student who must be absent for more than three successive days is required to notify the Student Development Center, Parker Hall, telephone 770-836-6428."
· "Students who do not intend to remain in a course must drop the course before the end of the official drop/add period. Failure to drop a course during the drop/add period may result in grades of F in courses not attended."
· Academic Honor. "At West Georgia, the student is expected to achieve and maintain the highest standards of academic honesty and excellence. Not only does academic honesty preserve the integrity of both the student and the institution, but it is also essential in gaining a true education. The West Georgia student, therefore, pledges not to lie, cheat or steal in the pursuit of his or her studies and is encouraged to report those who do." Students who commit plagiarism (using someone else’s words or ideas without attribution of credit) will receive an “F” for the entire course and may be reported to the office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs for additional action.
COURSE SCHEDULE: INTRODUCTION TO ETHICS (PHIL 2120)
THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE IS TENTATIVE AND MAY CHANGE AS THE SEMESTER PROGRESSES. THIS INCLUDES TEST DATES AND DUE DATES FOR PAPERS, WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. If the class finds a specific topic especially interesting and/or difficult, then we may spend more than the allotted time on that topic. I will maintain an up-to-date version of the course schedule on the class web site. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to keep up with test dates, due dates, and reading assignments, either by checking the class web site or contacting me directly.
"RTD" refers to The Right Thing to Do; "EMP" refers to The Elements of Moral Philosophy. All readings are fair game for pop quizzes at the beginning of that day’s class, as are the lecture notes from the previous class.
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Aug. |
topic |
reading due |
tests |
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14 F |
Introduction to the course |
-- |
-- |
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17 M |
Introduction to philosophy and ethics |
-- |
-- |
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19 W |
Logic and ethical arguments |
EMP ch.1 pp.1-13; RTD ch.2 pp.20-22 |
pop quiz possible |
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21 F |
The Limited Cultural Differences Argument |
RTD ch.2 pp.22-25 |
pop quiz possible |
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24 M |
The Provability Argument |
RTD ch.2 pp.25-28 |
pop quiz possible |
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26 W |
Moral-Cultural Relativism |
EMP ch.2 pp.14-17 |
pop quiz possible |
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28 F |
Moral-Cultural Relativism |
EMP ch.2 pp.17-22 |
pop quiz possible |
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31 M |
Moral-Cultural Relativism |
EMP ch.2 pp.23-31 |
pop quiz possible |
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Sept. |
topic |
reading due |
tests |
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2 W |
Morality and religion |
EMP ch.4 pp.48-53 |
pop quiz possible |
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4 F |
Morality and religion |
-- |
pop quiz possible |
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7 M |
NO CLASS: LABOR DAY HOLIDAY |
-- |
-- |
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9 W |
Morality and religion: abortion |
EMP ch.4 pp.57-61 |
pop quiz possible |
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11 F |
Abortion: Don Marquis |
RTD ch.11 pp.85-91 |
pop quiz possible |
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14 M |
Abortion: Don Marquis |
-- |
pop quiz possible |
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16 W |
Abortion: Thomson |
RTD ch.12 pp.92-102 |
pop quiz possible |
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18 F |
Abortion: Thomson |
RTD ch.12 pp.102-108 |
pop quiz possible |
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21 M |
Abortion: Warren |
RTD ch.13 pp.109-114 |
pop quiz possible |
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23 W |
Abortion: Warren |
RTD ch.13 pp.114-119 |
pop quiz possible |
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25 F |
Catch-up & review |
-- |
pop quiz possible |
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28 M |
-- |
-- |
TEST 1 |
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30 W |
Utilitarianism and Euthanasia |
EMP ch.7 pp.97-108 |
pop quiz possible |
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Oct. |
topic |
reading due |
tests |
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2 F |
Euthanasia: Rachels |
RTD ch.34 pp.306-310 |
pop quiz possible |
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5 M |
Euthanasia: Doerflinger |
RTD ch.35 pp.311-315 |
pop quiz possible |
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7 W |
Euthanasia: Doerflinger |
RTD ch.35 pp.315-320 |
pop quiz possible |
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9 F |
Classical vs. Modern Utilitarianism |
EMP ch.8 pp.109-111 |
pop quiz possible |
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12 M |
Criticisms of utilitarianism |
EMP ch.8 pp.111-116 |
pop quiz possible |
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14 W |
Defending utilitarianism |
EMP ch.8 pp.116-23 |
pop quiz possible |
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16 F |
NO CLASS: FALL BREAK |
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19 M |
World Poverty: Engel & Singer |
RTD ch.17 pp.151-53, ch.18 pp.154-60 |
pop quiz possible |
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21 W |
Animal Rights: Singer |
RTD ch.14 pp.120-29 |
pop quiz possible |
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23 F |
Animal Rights: Norcross |
RTD ch.15 pp.130-37 |
pop quiz possible |
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26 M |
Torture: Luban |
RTD ch.23 pp.189-98 |
pop quiz possible |
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28 W |
Torture: Luban |
RTD ch.23 pp.198-202 |
pop quiz possible |
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30 F |
Catch-up / review |
-- |
pop quiz possible |
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Nov. |
topic |
reading due |
tests |
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2 M |
-- |
-- |
TEST 2 |
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4 W |
Kant & Absolute Rules |
EMP ch.9 pp.124-29; RTD ch.7 pp.61-66 |
pop quiz possible |
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6 F |
Kant & Absolute Rules |
EMP ch.9 pp.129-35 |
pop quiz possible |
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9 M |
Kant & Respect for Persons |
EMP ch.10 pp.136-45 |
pop quiz possible |
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11 W |
Capital punishment: Pojman |
RTD ch.24 pp.203-210 |
pop quiz possible |
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13 F |
Capital punishment: Bright |
RTD ch.25 pp.211-222 |
pop quiz possible |
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16 M |
Virtue Ethics |
EMP ch.12 pp.158-66 |
pop quiz possible |
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18 W |
Virtue Ethics |
EMP ch.12 pp.166-72 |
pop quiz possible |
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20 F |
Rachels: Morality Without Hubris |
-- |
pop quiz possible |
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23 M |
Rachels: Morality Without Hubris |
EMP ch.13 pp.173-77 |
pop quiz possible |
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25 W |
NO CLASS: THANKSGIVING |
-- |
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27 F |
NO CLASS: THANKSGIVING |
-- |
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30 M |
Rachels: Morality Without Hubris |
EMP ch.13 pp.177-83 |
pop quiz possible |
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Dec. |
topic |
Reading |
tests |
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2 W |
Same-sex marriage & homosexuality: Leiser |
RTD ch.27 pp.237-45 |
pop quiz possible |
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4 F |
Catch-up / review |
-- |
pop quiz possible |
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7 M |
11AM SECTION (Sec.02) -- TEST #3: FINAL EXAM from 11am to 1pm |
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9 W |
10AM SECTION (Sec.01) -- TEST #3: FINAL EXAM from 8am to 10am |
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