PHIL 2306 300 - INTRODUCTION TO ETHICS

Introduction

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title: Introduction to Ethics

Course Prefix & Number: PHIL2306

Section Number:  

Semester:

Semester Credit Hours: 3

Lecture Hours: 3

Lab Hours: 0

Course Description (NCTC Catalog):

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

Course Prerequisite(s): None

Required or Recommended Course Materials:

Morgan, Michael.  Classics of Moral and Political Theory.  5th edition.  Hackett Publishing Company.  ISBN #13-978-1-60384-442-0

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Dr. Jack O’Connor

Campus/Office Location:

Corinth, 337

Telephone Number:

940-498-6258

E-mail Address:

joconnor@nctc.edu

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Point Values

 

Grading Policy and Procedures:  You will be evaluated by three criteria in this course.  The first is Reading Quizzes, the second a term Paper, and the third, a Presentation.  The Reading Quizzes (RQ’s) will be short answer responses to the assigned readings.  They will be random, and will be given in class in advance of the readings for that day.  You can expect to have six of them, but 5 will count.  The questions are geared more for basic reading comprehension and being aware of the organization of the reading rather than understanding everything.  If you miss one of these tests, c’est la vie.  You cannot make them up, that is why I drop one.  If you arrive late, you will get no extra time.  You will have 15 minutes to do them.  The Paper will be 5-6 pages and will be based on a prompt that I give you in class.  I will provide a separate handout which lists more details about it.  Half of the paper will be based on an outline that I will make due before the final version.  (I expect that you can write a college level term paper in English if you cannot, seek help).  The Presentation will be an analysis of an ethical issue in current events.  You will choose an issue that is relative to current society, and present your analysis of the issue and its ethical implications in a way that is modeled for you in class.  It is not to be an argument for or against the author’s opinion, but rather an exercise in isolating the ethical foundations, assumptions and presuppositions the piece is grounded on. 

RQ’s = 40%

Paper = 40% (half of it is your outline)

Presentation = 20%

A = 90-99, B = 80-89, C = 70-79, D = 60-69, F = 0-32, Plagiarized Papers = F as 0 (zero)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

Read, analyze, and critique philosophical texts.

Define and appropriately use important terms such as relativism, virtue, duty, rights, utilitarianism, natural law, egoism, altruism, autonomy, and care ethics.

Demonstrate knowledge of major arguments and problems in ethics.

Present and discuss well-reasoned ethical positions in writing.

Apply ethical concepts and principles to address moral concerns.

Apply course material to various aspects of life.

Discuss ways of living responsibly in a world where people have diverse ethical beliefs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Attendance Policy:  I tend to allow students a great deal of autonomy, as I assume you are adults and are here by choice.  Consequently, I will not include attendance as part of your grade, and leave you to take responsibility for your performance.  I have neither the time nor the interest in dealing with excuses for missed classes; if you don’t care to show up, you needn’t do so.  However, I strongly caution you NOT to miss these lectures for Philosophy can be a tricky subject and the internet is not necessarily a help to what you miss in class.  It is pretty much a rule that if you fail to attend, you will fail.   Also, bear in mind that half of your grade is determined from the surprise Reading Quizzes which are given IN CLASS and CANNOT BE MADE UP.  That is why I will drop one of your quizzes; I do not want to have to deal with multifarious reasons for absences, and think it fair to allow everyone to have one “freebie.”  Further, if you do not attend classes, do not be surprised if I am not very giving my time to help you catch up.  Those who attend and try to comprehend the ideas in the course will find in me a patient source of help, those who try to use me to summarize what they miss due to lack of attendance will not find this to be the case.  In addition, any changes to tests and assignments and important dates are your responsibility to keep track of and “I missed that class” is not a viable excuse for late work.

 

 

 

 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

 

Ethics Detailed Reading Schedule

  1. (Aug.22-26): Orientation To Ethics, Movie – Sicko
  • The point of this movie is to see the “principles of action” that motivate ethical decision making – often in a political environment.
  1. (Aug.29-Sep.2): Ancient EthicsCrito (p.64-71)
  • While everyone has AN opinion on what is good and right, they are not all correct. Ethics must be based on correct opinion of what is good
  1. (Sep.5-9):   Republic BK II(p.93-110)
  • Plato’s point is that “justice” (ie. Ethics) cannot be relative to personal opinion even though it seems that is how the world works.
  1. (Sep.12-16): Aristotle. Nicomachean Ethics BK I, II(p.255-273)
  • Ethics is a search for what is “good” and how to behave to achieve it. For this reason, analyzing and understanding “good” is actually a complex and difficult exercise – especially when we think of a universal human good that should serve to motivate our actions.  Aristotle defines human good and how to attain it
  1. (Sep.19-23): Aristotle con’t
  2. (Sep.26-30): Epicurus.  Letter to Menoeceus & Doctrines(p.422-429)
  • This passage prescribes a simple and self-sufficient life of reason as the foundation for ethical action
  1. (Oct.3-7): Medieval EthicsCity of God (p.445-457)
  • Augustine was the first great Christian ethicist, and his understanding of “good” is related to God
  1. (Oct.10-14): Augustine con’t
  2. (Oct.17-21): Aquinas.  Summa TheologicaQ 90-96 (p.463-485)
  • Aquinas, a Christian monk, built on Augustine’s ideas and focused on the role of law in ethics
  1. (Oct.24-28): Modern EthicsThe Prince 15-23 (p.534-549)
  • This work diverges from ancient and medieval ideals of rational or spiritual self-disciple and roots “ethics” in practical things especially power
  1. (Oct.31-Nov.4): Machiavelli con’t
  2. (Nov.7-11): Hume.  Treatise on Human Nature(p.803-825)
  • This perspective is from a foundation of human nature, that we are essentially emotional not rational, and that ethics comes from “sentiment” rather than rational argument
  1. (Nov.14-18): Hume con’t
  2. (Nov.21-25): 3. Genealogy of Morals, First Treatise(p.1257-1271)
  • This perspective holds that “good” is defined by will to power – or the desire to self-create
  1. (Nov.28-Dec.2) Nietzsche con’t
  2. Final Exams: Dec.5-8 (Schedule to be posted by NCTC)

 

 

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is _______________.

 

 

DISABILITY SERVICES (OSD)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability. On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 or call 940-668-4209.  Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209.

North Central Texas College is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, ADA Amendments Act of 2009, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-112).   http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices/Disabilityservices.aspx

 

CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA______________________________

 

o         Communication

o         Mathematics              

o         Life and Physical Science

X         Language, Philosophy & Culture

o         Creative Arts

 

o         History

o         Government/Political Science

o         Social and Behavioral Sciences

o         Component Area Option

 


REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES

 

X            Critical Thinking

X            Communication

o           Empirical and Quantitative

 

o           Teamwork

X            Personal Responsibility

X            Social Responsibility

 

COURSE TYPE

o           Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)

X         Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

o        WECM Course

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook. http://nctc.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2014-2015/Catalog/North-Central-Texas-College-Student-Handbook

 

 

Name of Chair/Coordinator:

Crystal R.M. Wright

Office Location:

Gainesville Campus, Room 824

Telephone Number:

940-668-7731, ext. 4320

E-mail Address:

cwright@nctc.edu

Name of Instructional Dean:

Dr. Larry Gilbert

Office Location:

Corinth Campus, Room 305

Telephone Number:

940-498-6216

E-mail Address:

lgilbert@nctc.edu

 

Syllabus File(s)

There are no Handouts for this set.