Introduction to Ethics Syllabus for 2017-2018
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Course

PHIL-2306-001 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

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact your advisor, the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

1. Shafer-Landau, Russ, The Fundamentals of Ethics Oxford University Press, 2018. ISBN: 9780190631390;
2. Shafer-Landau, Russ, The Ethical Life Oxford University Press, 2018. ISBN: 9780190631314;
3. AND this syllabus (you will be tested over the assigned materials in all three).

Supplies

Your textbook, 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 library materials is necessary for the successful completion of this course. Access to film rentals may be necessary if you cannot attend on the days we view and discuss contemporary movies (all of which are listed in your course outline which I will follow closely.

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.

You will also find a Formative Feedback form online that must be completed and submitted this week. These will not receive a grade, but I will add ten points to your first examination if you complete and submit them in person. It gives me a chance to get to know you.

OBJECTIVES AND GOALS: We will identify the ethical theories which support our ethical decisions through the writings of great philosophers. However, we will explore the practical applications of our moral and ethical actions through the age-old practice of narrative and storytelling.

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 an important part to the foundation of a liberal arts education. 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. Attendance. Regular attendance and classroom participation. Two unexcused absences will result in the loss of one letter grade for the semester unless at least one is made up. Absences may be excused if they are the result of illness, official Amarillo College business, or personal emergencies. It is your responsibility to talk with the instructor about this, though. He will never bring it up to you. Unexcused absences may be made up by doing extra work as approved by your instructor.
2. 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 informational sheets given to you in class or online.  
3. Testing. The successful completion of three examinations, including the final examination. The final examination will be comprehensive—but there will be no questions asked on the final that cover material you have been previously tested over unless those questions are worded in exactly the same way that they were worded on the previous examination. See the course outline for the dates of these exams.
4. Research. You will all be divided into teams at the beginning of the semester, with each group being assigned one of the ethical problems covered in Part IV of your textbook, The Ethical Life.
   1. Each group will then work together to (1) identify and clarify that problem, (2) identify the most common ethical solutions which have been offered for that problem, and (3) defend the solution that the group thinks is the best. This is the outline that I expect you to follow in writing your papers.
   2. These groups will work together to produce a five to seven page epistemological paper that (using good form) addresses each of the issues identified in sub-point “a” above.
   3. This paper must include internal documentation for all of the sources the team has used.
   4. The paper submitted must also have an attached “Works Cited” page so that the sources may be checked and verified by your teacher. And, this “Works Cited” page must include at least five different sources other than your textbooks which are also cited in the body of the paper.
   5. The members of each group will then read their paper to the class, clearly and with careful pronunciation, with that reading to be followed by each member of the group helping to defend the conclusions of the group by answering questions and challenges that come from the rest of the class and the instructor.
   6. Each team member will also be required to explain and defend her/his own personal conclusions for the problem covered; and provide a written “minority opinion” if their conclusions do not agree with those of the rest of the group.
   7. A rubric will be used for grading the paper. Consult the project grading rubric on this syllabus; and visit the “Writer’s Corner” in room 102 of Ordway Hall, for free and personal help writing and documenting this paper.
   8. You may also choose to use an up-to-date edition of the MLA Handbook available in the college bookstore and/or the Lynn library for guidance regarding both form and documentation.
   9. The assigned topics for these papers are:

Team 1: World Hunger (The Ethical Life, chapters 20-21)

Team 2: Euthanasia (The Ethical Life, chapters 22-23)

Team 3: Abortion (The Ethical Life, chapters 28-30)

Team 4: The Limits of the Law (The Ethical Life, chapters 35-38)

     

Research Paper Grading Scale

For select courses taught by Jerry L. Klein

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.        Oral Presentation                 20     17   15   12    8     0     20%

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

       C.        Use of Logic/Thoughtfulness/

                           Analysis                        10     8     6     4     2     0     10%

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

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

        F.        Future Value of Research      10     8     6     4     2     0     10%

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

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

3.  Total Points/Letter Grade:   ______\______  

4.  Comments:

 

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

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             25%                            90-100                A

Second Examination        25%                             80-89                 B

Final Examination            25%                             70-79                 C      

Research Paper               25%                             60-69                 D

                                       100%                              0-59                  F                                            

Attendance

Calendar

Additional Information

OFFICES:     Byrd Business Building, Room 316 

OFFICE HOURS:

9:15-10:15 AM, Mondays through Thursdays at Byrd 316.

I can be available at almsot any time I am not in class, by appointment.  

PHONE:       806-371-5397, Philosophy Office (during office hours only)

                    806-683-7465, Cell (available anytime other than when I am in class)

EMAIL:         jlklein@actx.edu; and in AC Connect