Introduction to Ethics Syllabus for 2016-2017
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Course

PHIL-2306-005 Introduction to Ethics

Prerequisites

Course Description

The systematic evaluation of classical and/or contemporary ethical theories concerning the good life, human conduct in society, morals and standards of value.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

1.  Rosenstand, Nina.  The Moral of the Story: An Introduction to Ethics. Seventh edition. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2013
2. This Syllabus.

Supplies

Your textbooks, syllabus, a dictionary, pens or pencils, notebook paper or a notebook, and access to a computer to complete assignments and review class materials.  Access to film rentals and/or library materials is necessary for the successful completion of this course. You will be required to watch and discuss contemporary movies.

Student Performance

ACCESSING AC CONNECT:

Online communication will be achieved between students and the professor by using AC Connect.  It is the student's responsibility to check for email messages and announcements regarding this class by clicking on AC Connect at the top of the Amarillo College home page, and then clicking on the icon identifying this class.  You will be able to communicate with both your classmates and professor, check your syllabus, find required supplemental materials and reviews for the examinations, and find your grades posted there.

OBJECTIVES AND GOALS: We will identify history’s leading paradigmatic philosophers and analyze their philosophies through assigned readings, lectures, discussions and the viewing of appropriate movies and movie clips.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (EXEMPLARY EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES):

Upon successful completion of the course, students will:

1. Read, analyze, and critique philosophical texts. 
2. Define and appropriately use important terms such as relativism, virtue, duty, rights, utilitarianism, natural law, egoism, altruism, autonomy, and care ethics.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of major arguments and problems in ethics.
4. Present and discuss well-reasoned ethical positions in writing.
5. Apply ethical concepts and principles to address moral concerns including living responsibly in a world where people have diverse political priorities.
6. Apply course material to various aspects of life.
7. Discuss ways of living responsibly in a world where people have diverse political beliefs..

THE STUDY OF PHILOSOPHY:  Philosophy is considered the queen of the liberal arts disciplines and is an important part to the foundation of a liberal education, which emphasizes critical thinking, problem solving, communication and other skills.  Courses in philosophy help to provide a deeper understanding of the concepts which have formed human cultures while at the same time helping to develop the students’ skills in critical analysis, their ability to write and interpret texts from all cultures, and to examine the ideas behind theoretical thinking. 

SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS FOR PHILOSOPHY 2306:

1. Reading. A careful reading of all the assigned sections of the textbooks (see the class outline on this syllabus to find your specific reading assignments), and all lectures and informational sheets.  Reading the assigned portions of the textbooks is necessary for the successful completion of this course. 
2. Testing. The successful completion of three major examinations, including the final examination. Only the final examination will be comprehensive. You will have an hour to complete each exam. All three major examinations will close at 11:00 P.M., on the date they are due. See the course outline in this syllabus for the dates of these exams. 
3. Weekly Quizzes. The successful completion of weekly quizzes (one will be a worksheet) every week that you do not have a major examination.  You must take the actual quizzes by Saturday of the week they are due; and you will be limited to ten minutes on each of the short quizzes when you take it.  Only the worksheet will allow more time.  Therefore, you must be prepared to start before you open each quiz.  All weekly quizzes will close at 11:00 P.M., on Saturday evening of the week they are due.
4. Online Discussions. Active participation in all online discussions.  You must speak respectfully to and of your fellow students and the instructor during all class discussions.  If you want to make a 100 on these weekly discussions I will expect you to thoughtfully respond with substantive posts to all of my questions/assignments each week.   And I will also expect you to either . . .

thoughtfully and substantively reply to at least two postings offered by your classmates,  

and post at least one substantive comment or observation about the texts and assignments (start your own thread within the discussion board assignment).

 I will grade your weekly discussions according to the following scale, with points deducted for hurried or thoughtless posts and responses.

• I will give you a 100 if you have a total of five substantive postings in the discussion board assignment for the week. This should include a reply to my question(s), at least one posting of your own that initiates a new thread within the discussion board, and at least three replies to other students’ postings.               
•  I will give you a 90 if you have a total of four substantive postings in the discussion board assignment for the week. This should include one reply to my question(s), your own posting that initiates a new thread within the discussion board, and at least two replies to other students’ postings.
• I will give you an 80 if you have a total of three substantive postings to the discussion board assignment for the week. This should include a reply to my question(s),  a posting of your own initiating a new thread within the assignment, and a reply to one other student’s posting.
• I will give you a 70 if you have posted a substantive reply to my question(s), and have one additional posting that is either your own posting initiating a new discussion thread within that weeks’ assignment or one a reply to one student by replying to their postings.
• I will give you a 60 if you have replied to my questions, but have not replied to other students’ postings and/or initiated your own thread with a posting. 
• I will give you a 50 if you have not replied to my questions, but have at least one post replying to another student’s posting or initiating a thread of your own within the discussion board assignment.  
• You will receive a 0 each week that you do not participate.
• All weekly discussions will close at 11:00 P.M., on Saturday evening.

       5.  The online submission in Rich Text Format (RTF) of an acceptable research paper.

1.  For this paper, you are to choose one of the ethical problems included in chapter 13, “Applied Ethics: A Sampler” (a chapter in your textbook that we are otherwise not covering in class).  Then, having chosen one of the ethical problems discussed, write your paper (1) identifying and clarifying that problem, (2) identifying the most common ethical solutions which have been offered for that problem, and (3) defending the solution that you think is best.  This is the outline I expect you to follow.
2. Look for and use respected, academic level sources which are written by philosophers and ethicists who really believe in the correctness of the ethical solutions they are explaining.  In other words, do not limit your sources to those which agree with your personal conclusions.  And, do not use sources which disagree with a certain point-of-view to define that point-of-view. Be objective and open minded. 
3. In using the various resources and writers available to you, always remember that “before one can say ‘I disagree’ one must be able to say ‘I understand’”  (William James).
4. This paper must be 5-7 double spaced typed pages in length, excluding the bibliography, using size 12 point font (the size font you are reading in this syllabus).  It must also use one inch margins on all four sides of the page.
5. This paper must also use good form; include either footnote or parenthetical documentation inside the text, and a complete bibliography attached as a last page for the paper (See the MLA Handbook available in the college bookstore, and good libraries regarding form and documentation.  You are also encouraged to visit the "Writers Corner" in room 102 of Ordway Hall on the main campus for free and personal help if you are in Amarillo. 
6. Your attached bibliography or "works cited" page must include at least five sources other than your textbook which are documented inside the text of your paper. 
7. If you use internet resources, make sure that they come from reliable, academic level websites, and are properly documented so that your instructor may check your references.  DO NOT resort to non-academic internet resources such as Wikipedia (which may be edited and changed by anyone). 
8. This paper must be submitted in the designated drop box by 11:00 p.m. on November 26, 2016.
9. See the Research Paper Weighing Scale below to understand how your paper will be graded.

 

Research Paper Grading Scale

For select courses taught by Dr. Vess

Documentation and Form are graded by the standards in the MLA Handbook (consult your syllabus).

1.  Mechanics: 20%

             A.        Introduction                           5     4     3     2     1     0     5%

                        Grammar/Spelling

                               Evidence of Proof-Reading

                               Neatness

                               Documentation/Form               

         B.        Body                                       5     4     3     2     1     0     5%

                        Grammar/Spelling

                               Evidence of Proof-Reading

                               Neatness

                               Documentation/Form

         C.        Conclusion                             5     4     3     2     1     0     5%

                        Grammar/Spelling

                               Evidence of Proof-Reading

                               Neatness

                               Documentation/Form               

         D.        Bibliography                           5     4     3     2     1     0     5%

                        Form/Content

                               Completeness/Consistency

                               Neatness

                               Spelling

                               Any Obvious Sources Not Consulted?      

                                

2.  Content:  80%

  A.        Research                                 10     8     6     4     2     0     10%

         B.        Thesis Statement                    10     8    6     4     2     0     10%           

         C.        Documentation                        10     8     6     4     2     0     10%

         D         Use of Logic/Thoughtfulness/

                     Analysis                                   10     8     6     4     2     0     10%

         E.         Completeness/Consistency  10     8     6     4     2     0     10%

         F.         Reactions/Conclusions          10     8     6     4     2     0     10%

         G.        Potential Future Value of

                     the Research                          10     8     6     4     2     0     10%

         H.        Is the Paper Interesting?        10     8     6     4     2     0     10%

         I.          Length:  - ______ points (acceptable length loses zero points)

3.  Total Points/Letter Grade: 

______\______  

Points    Letter   

4.  Comments:

 

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

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If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

ACADEMIC HONESTY:

All matters of academic dishonesty including plagiarism, collusion, and fabrication and cheating will result in a failing grade for the assignment in question.  All violations will be reported to the proper college authorities for review. 

STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

All students are required to follow the AC Student Rights/Responsibilities Statement (On the internet, go to www.actx.edu  and look under the “campus bookmarks”).

Grading Criteria

COURSE GRADE BREAKDOWN:               COURSE GRADING SCALE:                 

First Examination            20%                            90-100                 A

             Second Examination      20%                             80-89                  B

             Final Examination           20%                             70-79                  C      

             Research Assignment    20%                             60-69                  D

    Discussions                   10%                              0-59                   F

    Weekly quizzes              10%

     Total                              100%

Attendance

Calendar

Additional Information

Contact info for Dr. Deborah Vess

OFFICE:     Ware Student Commons, Room 210 

 

OFFICE HOURS:

4:00-5:00 PM, Mondays through Thursdays in WARE 210

 I am also available by appointment through the Virtual Office hours in your course package.  

PHONE:       806-371-5296, Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs

                      

                     

EMAIL:         deborah.vess@actx.edu; and in AC Connect