Philosophy 330: Ethics; Section 05
Fall 2012
CRN: 2659 MW 5:30-6:50 Location: Loma Hall 004
Instructor Information: Dr. Ian M. Duckles
Office: Founders Hall 167C
Office Hours: MW 3:00-4:00 or by appointment
Course Objectives: Student should be able to:
- Describe the main tenets of the major ethical theories (Utilitarianism, Kantianism, etc.) in essay form.
- Identify specific moral problems and apply these theories to them.
- Identify
the ethical principles that are important for their own activities, and
examine those principles in light of the views encountered in the
course.
Methodology:
In an effort to make the class more effectively reflect student's own
interests, much of the course will be designed by the students. After
the introductory material is covered in the first few weeks, students
will then vote on which topics selected from the text that they want to read about and discuss next.
Texts: There is only one text for the class, and all readings are from it. The text is: Contemporary Moral Problems,
10th edition. James E. White ed. Thomson-Wadsworth, 2012. ISBN:
978-0-8400-3378-9. You may also use the 9th edition of the text which
can be found online for far less money. Reading assignments can be found
on the schedule.
Assignments: Your grade in the course will be based on your performance on three types of assignments:
- Weekly Journal Entries: Each week a two-page journal
entry reflecting on the past weeks readings and discussions will be due.
More information on this assignment will be announced in class. These
journals will collectively be worth 20% of your grade.
- Essay:
There will be a final essay (4-6 pages) due on
the last day of class. It will be worth 10% of your grade. Though this
assignment is only worth 10% of your grade, failure to complete it will
result in an F in the class. More
information on this assignment will be announced in class.
- Exams: In addition to the first exam, there will
be an exam for each unit covered in class. Each exam will count the same
for a total of 60% of your grade in the course.
- Attendance and Participation: You will be expected to attend class and participate in class discussions. This is worth 10% of your grade.
Schedule: All readings can be found in Contemporary Moral Problems 10th edition. James E. White ed. Thomson-Wadsworth, 2012. Page numbers
refer to this edition, page numbers in parentheses refer to the 9th edition. Reading assignments are subject to change and are
expected to be completed for the day on which they are assigned.
Week 1: Introductions
Wednesday, September 5: Introduction
Week 2: Ethical Theories
Monday, September 10: Aquinas, "The Natural Law" pp. 28-30
Wednesday, September 12: Hume, "Morality is Based on Sentiment" pp. 30-33
Week 3: Ethical Theories
September 17: Mill, "Utilitarianism" pp. 38-46
September 19: Kant, "The Categorical Imperative" pp. 46-51
Week 4: Ethical Theories
September 24: Aristotle, "Happiness and Virtue" pp. 52-60
September 26: Rawls, "A Theory of Justice" pp. 61-67
Week 5: Ethical Theories
October 1: Lindemann, "What is Feminist Ethics?" pp. 67-73
October 3: Extra Day, Exam Prompt Distributed
Week 6: Abortion
October 8: Introduction to Abortion
October 10: US Supreme Court, Roe v Wade, pp. 87-96.
Week 7: Abortion
October 15: Extra Day
October 17: Noonan, "An Almost Absolute Value in History," pp. 97-101, First Exam Due
Week 8: Abortion
October 22: Thomson, "A Defense of Abortion," pp. 102-111.
October 24: Thomson Continued
Week 9: Abortion
October 29: Warren, "On the Moral and Legal Status of Abortion," pp. 111-121.
October 31: Marquis, "An Argument that Abortion is Wrong," pp. 122-132.
Week 10: Drugs
November 5: Introduction to Drugs, Distribute Second Exam Prompt
November 7: Mill, "On Liberty" PDF
Week 11: Drugs
November 12: Dworkin, "Paternalism" PDF
November 14: Szasz, "The Ethics of Addiction" PDF
Week 12: Drugs
November 19: Extra Day, Second Exam Due
November 21: No Class!! Thanksgiving Break!!
Week 13: Drugs
November 26: Szasz continued
November 28: USDEA, "Speaking Out Against Drug Legalization" PDF
Week 14: Drugs
December 3: Wilson, "Against Legalization of Drugs" PDF
December 5: Shapiro, "Addiction and Drug Policy" PDF
Week 15: Food Ethics
December 10: TBD, Distribute Final
December 12: TBD, Essay Due
The Final Exam will be due by email on Wednesday, December 19 by 7:00 PM.ACADEMIC POLICIES:
Student Responsibility to Drop/Withdraw:
It is the student’s responsibility to officially add, drop, or withdraw
from the course stated in the class schedule. Failure to do so can
result in a failing grade.
Class Attendance:
A student may be disenrolled from the course after two absences;
however, a student will be disenrolled from the course after three
absences without exception. (This count will begin on teh first day of
class) ATTENDANCE IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THIS PARTICULAR COURSE.
Tardiness/Early Departure:
If a student arrives unreasonably late or leaves early without
notifying the instructor before the event, then that student will be
considered absent for that class session.
Professionalism:
It is assumed that students will conduct themselves in a professional
manner with a positive attitude. An open mind is one of the most
important tools required for success in academia. If a student is
negative and feels as is there is nothing of value to be gained by the
college experience or this course, he or she will not do well in this course.
Academic Integrity and Conduct:
Plagiarism, cheating and poor student conduct will not be tolerated.
Students are expected to familiarize themselves with the USD Integrity
Policy. This can be found athttp://www.sandiego.edu/honorcouncil/integrity.php.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:
Students with disabilities who may need accommodations in this class
are encouraged to notify the instructor and Disability Services.
Information can be found at http://www.sandiego.edu/disability/.
