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:

COR 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

It is expected that students attend class regularly though there is no grade for it.  It is rather the duty of the student and requisite for doing well in the course.

 

 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Ethics Reading Schedule

  1. :  Orientation To Ethics, Movie - Sicko
  2. Ancient Ethics 1. Plato.  Crito (p.64-71)
  3. :  Plato.  Republic BK II (p.93-110)
  4. :  2. Aristotle. Nicomachean Ethics BK I, II (p.255-273)
  5. :  Aristotle con’t
  6. :  3. Epicurus.  Letter to Menoeceus & Doctrines (p.422-429)
  7. : Medieval Ethics 1.  Augustine.  City of God (p.445-457)
  8. :  Augustine con’t
  9. :  2.  Aquinas.  Summa Theologica Q 90-96 (p.463-485)
  10. :   Modern Ethics 1.  Machiavelli.  The Prince 15-23 (p.534-549)
  11. :  Machiavelli con’t
  12. :   2. Hume.  Treatise on Human Nature (p.803-825)
  13. :  Hume con’t
  14. : 3.  Nietzsche. Genealogy of Morals, First Treatise (p.1257-1271)
  15.  Nietzsche con’t
  16. Final Exams:   (Schedule to be posted by NCTC)

 

Grade Determination

RQ’s = 40%

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

Presentation = 20%

 

 

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

 

There are no Handouts for this set.