sample syllabus: contemporary moral issues

8/14/2019 sample syllabus: contemporary moral issues

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Sample Syllabus: Contemporary Moral Issues

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1. Method & Course Description------------------------------

To be in a position to determine the moral status of specific actionsor persons, one must understand ethical theories: general explanations of

why, and guidelines for, what sorts of actions are morally permissible,morally required or morally impermissible. Is an action morally required

because the outcome of that action is the greatest good for the greatestnumber? Or is an action morally permissible because it has a certain formcommon to all morally tolerable actions? Should we, on the other hand, useas our model for morally permissible actions the behavior of those we take

to be paragons of virtue?Only after we have understood the fundamental ethical theories can we

begin to approach the contemporary moral issues which might be decided as

consequences of these theories. Even though the issues of pressingimportance often rouse the passions of proponents of particular views (andthe critics of those views), thought and discussion are most productive

when passions and excitements have cooled. We can keep clear and cool headsin matters of contemporary issues by letting the ancient philosophical

method of dialecticand argument set the parameters for our investigation.

When someone holds a particular view they take to be the correct one(perhaps in terms of a specific issue of morality) and that person wishes

to convince someone else of the correctness of that view, the best methodis not an appeal to emotion, but rather an appeal to reason. An argument(philosophically speaking) is the clear and concise presentation of one of

more starting points (or premises) from which, by the process of sound andcareful reasoning, one can come to a conclusion. The process of reasoningrepresented by an argument should be such that if the premises from which

one logically infers the conclusion are good ones, a rational person willaccept that conclusion. We test the strengths of premises and arguments byengaging in dialectic or Socratic dialogue the process of careful,

dispassionate examination of premises and the steps by which we reason to aconclusion. Dialectic is most productive when the participants take eachother seriously, listen to one another carefully, think carefully about

what is being said, think carefully before speaking in response, try tocriticize constructively every aspect of any position that is put forward,

yet refrain from personal attacks or criticism of a person rather than aposition. We shall engage in dialogues of this sort in this class.

2. Instructor Information-------------------------

Dr. Jesse Butler

Appointments: Please set up an appointment if you're confusedabout something, need help getting started on an assignment or

would like to receive feedback for what you've written.


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3. Course Information---------------------

A. Meeting Places & Times

-------------------------

B. Texts--------

Required--------

Daniel Bonevac Todays Moral Issues: Classic and ContemporaryPerspectives (TMI)

Farhad Manjoo True Enough: Learning to Live in a Post-Fact Society (TE)

[These books are on reserve at the library -- visit the circulationdesk.]

Recommended-----------

Edward C. Banfield The Moral Basis of a Backward Society (MBBS)

Bill McKibben Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and the DurableFuture (DE)

Walter Benn Michaels The Trouble With Diversity (TD)

[These books are on reserve at the library -- visit the circulation

desk.]

C. Grades---------

Grades are assigned based on the number and length of written assignmentssuccessfully completed, performance on five surprise quizzes during the

semester and class attendance. Letter grades are assigned based on thenumber of points a student earns during the semester.

i. Written Work---------------

To receive credit for a written assignment a student must respond to aspecific prompt , and the response must

(a) be written in clear, cohesive and grammatical English.

(b) address, in a straightforward way, the issue raised by theprompt.

(c) contain a bare minimum of quoted material (* AT MOST 10% * ofthe total number of words of the assignment can be quotation).


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(d) be original work (not plagiarized).

(e)

If a submitted assignment fails to satisfy all of (a)-(e) then nocredit will be given for that assignment. The submission will be

marked 0.

ii. Points----------

a. Points are awarded for each satisfactorily completed writtenassignment (hereafter 'response') according to the following

scheme:

If the response is

+ less than 100 words, zero (0) points are awarded.+ between 100 words and 199 words, 1 point is awarded.

+ between 200 words and 299 words, 2 points are awarded.+ between 300 words and 399 words, 3 points are awarded.

+ between 400 words and 499 words, 4 points are awarded.+ between 500 words and 599 words, 5 points are awarded.+ between 600 words and 699 words, 6 points are awarded.

+ between 700 words and 799 words, 7 points are awarded.+ between 800 words and 899 words, 8 points are awarded.+ between 900 words and 999 words, 9 points are awarded.

+ greater than 1000 words, 10 points are awarded.

b. Points and attendance & punctuality.

+ For each period a student attends, 1 point is awarded.+ For each period for which a student is late, no points are

awarded or subtracted.+ For each period during which a student is absent, 1 point

is subtracted.

c. Points and the five surprise quizzes.

+ For each of the quizzes successfully completed, one 1 pointis awarded.

iii. Final Grade Calculation----------------------------

Points are then tallied and letter grades are assigned based on thenumber of total points in accord with the following table:

90+ Points........A

85 - 89 Points........B+80 - 84 Points........B75 - 79 Points........C+

70 - 74 Points........C60 - 69 Points........DLess that 60 Points...E


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D. Determining Grades---------------------

Navigate to "My Grades" on E-Learning for your scores. Grades will

be updated every Friday. A submission which is plagiarized will bescored -1.* An instance of a submission which doesn't otherwise

meet criteria 3.c.i.(a)-(e) will be scored 0. If you notice thatyou've received a -1 or 0 on an assignment, and you wish to challengethis evaluation, it's your responsibility to set up a meeting with

me and present your case.

Examples of a Grade calculation------------------------------

(1) Andrew Sample attends 33 (out of a total of 45) periods of classmeetings, is never late when he shows up, completes three (out of

a total of five) surprise quizzes, completes 9 assignments (eachof which meets criteria 3.c.i.(1)-(4) above) of the followinglengths: 555 words, 401 words, 1001 words, 1003 words, 400 words,

612 words, 478 words, 1120 words and 1098 words, and turns in oneassignment of length 1556 words which is copied straight from

en.wikipedia.org - a 75% match according to turnitin. Ouch!Andrew Sample's final grade is:

33 points (for attendances)-12 points (for absences)+3 points (for surprise quizzes)

+5 points (for satisfactory assignment of 555 words)+4 points (for satisfactory assignment of 401 words)+10 points (for satisfactory assignment of 1001 words)


+4 points (for satisfactory assignment of 478 words)+10 points (for satisfactory assignment of 1120 words)

+10 points (for satisfactory assignment of 1098 words)+0 points (for an unsatisfactory assignment)----

87 Points = B+.**

(2) Ferit Ontime attends all 45 class periods, is never late,

successfully completes all five surprise quizzes and completesjust four assignments (each of which meets criteria 3.c.i.(1)-(4)above) of the following lengths: 1001 words, 1023 words, 1011 words

and 1200 words. Ferit's final grades is:

45 points (for attendance

+5 points (for surprise quizzes)+10 points (for satisfactory assignment of 1001 words)


----90 points = A


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E. Feedback and Comments on Written Work----------------------------------------

If you'd like to discuss what you've written, please set up an

appointment to talk about your work. This feedback is especiallyhelpful for philosophy majors or students considering majoring

in philosophy.

F. Classroom Conduct

--------------------

(1) We'll engage in discussion for much of our class time. In order

to have a productive discussion, only one person may speak at a time.(2) Please be on time to class.(3) Please silence your cell phones before class. If your phone rings,

don't answer it.(4) Anyone disrupting will be asked to leave.

G. E-Learning Message Policy

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Only e-Learning messages that are concise and relevant will receive

a response. Don't expect an immediate answer.

H. Academic Assistance-------------------

Free tutoring is available on campus. Individual instruction tohelp improve reading and writing skills is available from theReading and Writing Center.

I. Special Needs-------------

Students requesting special accommodations must first registerwith the Dean of Students Office.

J. Tentative Schedule---------------------

(Week 1) Subject Relativism, Cultural Relativism (TMI pp. 1-14)

M: TMI pp. 1-14 (Bonevacs introduction)W: TE: pp. 1-26 (chapter 1)

F: TE: pp. 27-58 (chapter 2)

(Week 2) Relativism Continued

M: TE: pp. 59-96 (chapter 3)W: TE: pp. 97-142 (chapter 4)

F: TE: pp. 143-182 (chapter 5)


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(Week 3) Relativism Continued

M: TE: pp. 183-220 (chapter 6)W: TE: pp. 221-242 (epilogue)

F: The Thuggees (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thuggees)

(Week 4) Theory: Consequentialism / Utilitarianism (TMI pp. 38-45)

M: TMI: pp. 38-45 (J.S. Mill from Utilitarianism)W: TMI: pp. 77-84 (Peter Singer from Animal Liberation)

F: TMI: pp. 100-118 (sundry readings on environment)

(Week 5) Consequentialism / Utilitarianism continued

M: The Oil We Eat from Harpers Feb. 2004 (on e-reserve)W: TMI: 119-128 (more on environment)

F: TBA

(Week 6) Consequentialism / Utilitarianism continued

M: TBA: Freedom & Liberty & the difference

W: TBA: RightsF: TBA: Drug Use & Sexual Practices

(Week 7) Theory: Deontology

M: Explication

W: Difference between Deontology & ConsequentialismF: Theory and Intentions Do they matter?

(Week 8) Deontology Continues

M: The Philanthropic Misanthrope example

W: Modifications to Deontology from a Conseq. perspec.F: Deontology and a Current Moral Issue

(Week 9) Theory: Virtue Ethics

M: ExplicationW: Differences in V.E., Consequentialism And DeontologyF: Virtue Ethics and some current moral issues

(Week 10) Virtue Ethics Continued

M: What distinguishes Virtue Theory?W: Virtue Ethics and some current political issuesF: TBA

(Week 11) Divine Command Theory

M: ExplicationW: Problems; the Euthyphro Objection

F: Divine Command Theory and current moral issues

(Week 12) A Current Moral Issue: The Power of Corporations

M: The Corporation (film)


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W: The Corporation contdF: Discussion

(Week 13) A Current Moral Issue: The Role of Govt in our lives

M: TDselectionW: TDselection

F: Discussion of TD

(Week 14) A Current Moral Issue: Globalization and the Local Economy

M: DEselectionW: DEselectionF: Discussion of DE

(Week 15) (Class chooses a contemporary moral issue to discuss)

M: TBAW: TBAF: TBA

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* Assignments will be submitted to e-Learning but will be evaluatedwith turnitin software which rates the originality of the work bycomparing it with Internet sources, databases of student papers and

assignments submitted by members of the this class. A turnitin "score"that indicates a too high degree of similarity of will not count assuccessful. In assignment of such short length, there is no need for

any sort of quotation.

** Andrew also has to live with the eternal shame and disgrace of

trying to pass off wikipedia's work as his own. His GPA mightrecover, but he'll never forget what he tried to do...

sample syllabus: contemporary moral issues

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