Philosophy 202: ETHICS
Spring Semester, 2007
INSTRUCTOR: Jesse Shearin
CLASSROOM: 272 PEARSALL
CLASSROOM BUILDING
CLASS MEETING TIME:
11:20-12:50, Tuesdays and Thursdays
OFFICE: 184 BRASWELL
EMAIL: jesseshearin@vol.com or js307182@ncwc.edu
HOME PHONE: 252-826-3767
OFFICE HOURS: I will usually be available immediately after
class. It will be my normal practice to eat lunch in the cafeteria after each
class, and you are welcome to join me to discuss any matter of interest or
concern. Call me or email me at any time
if you have a specific question about any matter pertaining to the course or if
you desire a conference.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course
is an introduction to philosophy through the examination of ethical
conflicts.
Ethical
conflicts come in a variety of forms.
One form of ethical conflict may be called a "moral struggle,"
in which we perceive our duty to be one thing and our desire to be another....
or perhaps we find ourselves torn between two opposing obligations. A second form of conflict may be called an
"existential struggle." For example, I may become dissatisfied with
the life I am living because I have had a vision of a life truly worth
living... or perhaps I feel morally obligated to take my life in one direction
but I feel led by something "higher" to move in a different
direction. A third form of ethical
conflict may be called a "moral dispute," in which different
individuals or groups have opposing moral views about a particular kind of
behavior, for example, abortion or civil disobedience.
Philosophy has traditionally been considered to be the
love of wisdom. The primary objective of this course is to assist you in your
search for wisdom as you address a variety of ethical conflicts.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
The Elements of Moral Philosophy, James Rachels
(5th edition).
The Trial and Death of Socrates, Plato.
Albert Schweitzer: Essential Writings, ed.
Brabazon
Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand
OTHER RESOURCES: You may want
to consult the following websites, which have valuable discussion and
hyperlinks to other resources: (1) socrates.clarke.edu
[a thorough review of the dialogues of Plato dealing with the Death of Socrates,
including a recording of short speeches
attributed to Socrates] and (2) plato.stanford.edu [a reputable online
encyclopedia of philosophy].
CLASS TIME:
A. Study of Primary Text. Most of our class periods will be devoted to
informal lecture and discussion of the ethical issues raised in our primary
text, The Elements of Moral Philosophy.
This text is primarily a consideration of classical moral theories,
particularly as these theories may apply to current moral disputes.
Usually we will devote two
class periods to each chapter. At the
beginning of the first period there will be a quiz on the assigned
chapter, followed by discussion. For the second period, I will give a specific
written assignment dealing with questions provoked by our discussion during the
first day.
The number of chapters that
we can cover will depend primarily upon the number and complexity of the issues
that arise as we work through the text.
We will not rush through issues for the sake of completing a certain
number of chapters. Accordingly, you
should consult your email for daily assignments.
B. Collateral Reading. You will also read The Last Days of Socrates,
The Essential Writings of Albert Schweitzer, and Atlas Shrugged (a
novel). Each of these works offers for
your consideration a different model of "a life worth living."
We will devote seven class
periods to these readings. During three
of those periods I will give you a test to measure your knowledge of the
contents of each book. For the
other four periods I will assign questions which will invite you to respond
critically and creatively to each author.
ASSIGNMENTS: Anticipated
daily reading assignments as well as test dates are listed at
the end of this syllabus. However, you
should check your email for confirmation or changes in assignments. Assignments for each class will be emailed
to you at least 36 hours in advance.
GRADING POLICY:
Your grade will be depend
upon how many points you earn in various aspects of the course.
A. Class
Attendance. 100 possible points.
The very heart of this course
is the dialogue that we have in class.
You cannot participate in or learn from this dialogue if you are not
present. Bear in mind that we meet only
two days per week, which means that missing two classes in this course is like
missing three classes in a typical course.
Points will be awarded for
attendance on the following basis: 0 absences = 100 points; 1 absence
= 95 points; 2 absences = 90 points; 3 absences = 75 points; 4 absences = 60 points; 5 absences = 40
points; 6 absences = 20 points; 7 absences or more = 0 points.
Since you are earning points
for attending class, there will be no such thing as an "excused
absence." However, if you need help
because of an absence, for any reason, please let me know.
B. Daily quizzes/written assignments. 20 points
per day. Total of 460 possible points.
If an unavoidable absence
causes you to miss a quiz, you may "make up" the quiz provided: (1)
You notify me by email of the reason for your absence within 24 hours
after the class period; and (2) You submit a 250-word summary of the assigned
reading no later than one week after your absence.
Likewise, if an unavoidable
absence prevents you from submitting a written assignment on time you may
submit it later if: (1) You notify me by
email of the reason for your absence within 24 hours after the class period;
and (2)
You submit the written assignment
no later than one week after your absence.
In cases of extreme hardship,
additional extensions of time may be granted.
On the other hand, the privilege of making up quizzes and written work
will be withdrawn if it is abused.
Please note that making up a
quiz or a written assignment will not give you credit for attending class.
C. Three tests on collateral reading. Total of 200 possible points. Socrates,
50; Schweitzer, 50; and Atlas Shrugged, 100.
D. Final Exam.
240 possible points.
F. TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS FOR THE COURSE =
1000.
G.
CALCULATING FINAL GRADE. Your final grade will be determined by calculating the
number of points you have earned as a percentage of the total possible
points. Thus, if you have earned 830
points out of a possible 1000 points, you will have earned 83% of the total
possible points, a grade of B.
Specific letter grades
will be based upon the following percentages:
93%=A, 90%=A-, 87%=B+,
83%=B, 80%=B-,…70%=C-,... 60%=D,...below
60%=F.
H. CLASS PARTICIPATION. Participation
includes attentiveness, responding to questions posed by me and your
classmates, willingness to pose questions to me and your classmates, and, in
general, a good faith effort to make class time a valuable learning experience
for everyone involved.
Admittedly, judging the
quality of your participation is highly subjective...in the same way that
judging ice skating and diving are subjective.
Nevertheless, just as we want to recognize those who excel at skating
and diving, I want to recognize those who excel in class participation.
After calculating your
final grade as a percentage of the total possible points, I will evaluate your
participation over the course of the semester. For outstanding participation, I will add 5
percentage points to your grade. For
solid participation, I will add 3 percentage points. For example, if your grade as a percentage
is 72% and your participation is judged to be outstanding, you will end up with
5 more percentage points, or 77%, thus improving your grade from a C- to a
C+.
DISABILITY SUPPORT
SERVICES (DSS):
If you have a disability and need accommodations in this
class, please contact the office of DSS at 985-5137 as soon as possible so that
arrangements can be made to assist you.
The office is located in the Student Support Center, Pearsall 188.
PLAGIARISM:
I assume that you are enrolled in this course to
learn. I also assume that you realize
that doing your own work is an important part of the learning process. On the other hand, I realize that you are a human being and I
will do my best not to “lead you into temptation.“ Furthermore, I will do my best to actively
discourage plagiarism by hereby announcing that plagiarism is a very serious
matter, and any plagiarized work will receive a failing grade. You may want to consult the plagiarism
policy in the college catalog (p. 68).
SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS, TESTS, ETC.
Except for the first class,
the last class, and the three test days, there will always be a quiz on the
reading or some kind of written assignment to be submitted at the beginning of
each class. The schedule below is
subject to change. Please check
your email for daily assignments.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 9 -- Distribute
and Review Syllabus, Distribute Specific Reading
Assignments for Socrates and Schweitzer,
Discuss Course Objectives, Discuss Philosophical Method
THURSDAY, JANUARY 11 -- Chapter
1, What is Morality?
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16 -- Continued.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18 -- Chapter
2, The Challenge of Cultural Relativism
TUESDAY, JANUARY 23 -- Continued.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 25 -- Chapter 3, Subjectivism in Ethics
TUESDAY, JANUARY 30 -- Continued
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1 -- TEST
ON SOCRATES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6 -- Chapter
4, Does Morality Depend On Religion?
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8 -- Continued.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13 -- Chapter
5, Ethical Egoism.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15 --
Continued.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20 -- TEST
ON SCHWEITZER
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22--
Chapter 6, The Utilitarian Approach
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27 --
Chapter 7, The Debate Over Utilitarianism
THURSDAY, MARCH 1 -- Continued
TUESDAY, MARCH 6 -- SPRING
BREAK
THURSDAY, MARCH 8 -- SPRING
BREAK
TUESDAY, MARCH 13 -- Chapter
8, Are There Absolute Moral Rules?
THURSDAY, MARCH 15 -- Continued
TUESDAY, MARCH 20 -- Chapter
9, Kant and Respect for Persons
THURSDAY, MARCH 22 --
(INSTITUTIONAL ASSESSMENT DAY -- NO CLASS)
TUESDAY, MARCH 27 --
Continued
THURSDAY, MARCH 29 -- Chapter
10, The Idea of the Social Contract
TUESDAY, APRIL 3 --
Continued.
THURSDAY, APRIL 5 -- TEST
ON ATLAS SHRUGGED
TUESDAY, APRIL 10 --
Discussion of Socrates, Schweitzer, and Rand
THURSDAY, APRIL 12 --
Discussion of Socrates, Schweitzer, and Rand
TUESDAY, APRIL 17 --
Discussion of Socrates, Schweitzer, and Rand
THURSDAY, APRIL 19 --
Discussion of Socrates, Schweitzer, and Rand
TUESDAY, APRIL 24 -- Lecture:
Universal Values, Authenticity, and The Ethics of Caring; Preview Exam;
Faculty Evaluation