|
NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
M / W 9:30 – 10:50 am COR #260
|
|
|
Course Title: Introduction to Ethics
|
|
Course Prefix & Number: PHIL 2306
|
Section Number: 400
|
Semester: Spring 2018
|
|
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 COURSE MATERIALS:
*Michael Morgan. Classics of Moral and Political Theory. 5th edition. Hackett Publishing Company. ISBN #13-978-1-60384-442-0.
In addition, there is one film you will be expected to watch outside the classroom: Planet of the Apes (1968). This can be viewed online at Amazon Instant Video, Netflix, or other (unspecified) places. The Flower Mound library has 1 copy on reserve (24-hrs.). Public libraries might also carry it.
Notebook paper and pencil/pens. These are standard tools of students and should always be carried into class for unannounced and otherwise spontaneously produced assignments.
The TEXTBOOK / HANDOUTS should be brought on days in which we discuss the assigned readings, as we will be referencing certain pages/sections from the text. NO ONLINE or e-BOOKS ALLOWED DURING CLASS TIME!
|
|
|
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
|
Name of Instructor:
|
Mark Thompson
|
|
Campus/Office Location:
|
CORINTH; Room #201 (Office Hours: Mon. and Wed. 12:30 – 1:30 pm AND Tues. 5:30–6:30 pm by appointment; email communication, Tues. and Thurs. 8 – 9 am)
|
|
Telephone Number:
|
--------------------- (use email)
|
|
E-mail Address:
|
mthompson@nctc.edu
|
GRADING CRITERIA
|
# of Graded Course Elements
|
Graded Course Elements
|
Percentage or Point Values
|
|
various
|
Participation Assignments/Attendance
|
20 %
|
|
2
|
Exams
|
45 %
|
|
2
|
Movie Assignments
|
35 %
|
“Suppose that all your objects in life were realized; that all the changes in institutions and opinions which you are looking forward to, could be completely effected at this very instant: would this be a great joy and happiness to you?”
—John Stuart Mill (Autobiography, 1873)
MILL RAND
When English social reformer and thinker John Stuart Mill wrote this, he was reflecting on a moment when, as a youth in 1826, he felt paralyzed by a “mental crisis” that led him to question how one truly found happiness. Was it by seeking it consciously as a goal, or did it come about by focusing on other pursuits? He says that he eventually adopted a new “theory of life,” one in which happiness comes to those who “have their minds fixed on some object other than their own happiness; on the happiness of others, on the improvement of mankind . . . followed not as a means, but as itself an ideal end. Aiming thus at something else, they find happiness by the way.”
In contrast, twentieth-century thinker Ayn Rand believes that not selfishly focusing on one’s happiness leads to an unhealthy fixation on the needs of others, or altruism. Do both have universal, attractive, and practical insights into how one should live, or do both show that questions of ethics, values, and what is “good” are merely a reflection of their environments (Mill in 19th-century England and Rand in 20th-century Russia/United States)?
This short introduction sums a few of the perennial problems that show up in ethics courses: Should people seek individual “happiness” or the greater “good” of the community? Is there a “human nature” that points to a shared set of values and customs? If so, does this mean a common set of morals can be discovered/created? Are the ideas of “right” and “wrong” a product of one’s “ethos” (spirit or customs of a community/nation) or do they derive from some biological force that is internal to all humans for all times? What part do religions play? Is it possible to be “moral” without religion? What’s wrong with “amoral” people? Are they destined to be “psychopaths”?
This course seeks to demonstrate the significance of ethics for everyone who lives, breathes, and functions in the world. Future nurses, lawyers, mechanics, cooks, athletes, musicians, and teachers can find something meaningful in this course.
ATTENDANCE AND ETIQUETTE:
As this is not an online or hybrid class, attendance is extremely important (20% of your grade). I will take attendance starting in week 2 using a seating chart. To avoid being counted “absent,” sit in the same seat and there will be no problems. If one arrives late, please quietly sit down and try not to disrupt class by asking your neighbor what we’re talking about; that will become apparent as class goes on. If you arrive after a certain time, you will not get credit for attending that day. PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE UNTIL CLASS IS DISMISSED. Sometimes we will finish early, but it is a major distraction to the class when you get up and leave 5-10 minutes before class is over: JUST WAIT UNLESS IT’S AN EMERGENCY! (If you have to leave for special work-related or family occasions, please inform me before class).
ELECTRONIC DEVICES, GADGETS, AND WHATNOTS: Your instructor is not anti-technology, but please (ideal situation) turn off and put away cell phones and other tools powered by electricity once class starts. Occasional text messages and use of phones to look up info. is okay, provided one does not remain fixated for 5-10 minutes on the phone. If instructor has to politely request to put away your phone, deductions will result from your attendance grade. Repeated warnings will result in exponential increases in pt. deductions (EVENTUALLY RESULTING IN A ZERO (0) for one’s attendance/participation grade).
Also, NO COMPUTERS are allowed (unless allowed through the Office for Students with Disabilities).
GRADING:
Attendance / Participation Pts. = 20%
Attendance
Lecture Days = 1 pt.
Assigned Reading Days = 2 pts.
Participation/Video Assignments = 2 pts.
Extra-Credit online assignments (THROUGH CANVAS) = 1-3 pts.
Exams (2 @ 25 pts. each) = 45%
Movie projects (2 @ 15 pts. each) = 35%
ABSENCES/MAKEUPS:
There are NO makeups for in-class assignments (participation pts.). As noted above, there will be a few extra-credit assignments scattered throughout the semester, but that’s all.
EXAMS ARE TAKEN IN CLASS ON THE ASSIGNED DAYS (SEE CALENDAR/SCHEDULE). One makeup will be allowed. However, student needs to either bring medical/legal documentation or some other justified reason for why they were not able to make it to class. Student should contact professor via email ASAP. If makeup exam is approved by professor, it will need to be taken within 1 week or a zero will be recorded.
Other Helpful Texts and Support Materials:
Try looking at these books in the LIBRARY. Some items are on both campuses (Flower Mound and Corinth) while others remain in one or the other:
Philosophy in 90 Minutes: One of my favorite series—you can read these literally in 90 minutes. Most of the early philosophers that we have assigned text readings for can be found on reserve at Flower Mound’s library for 2 hours (with the exception of our last 3: Niebuhr, MLK, and Rand). They must be read inside the library, but I found these very helpful when first studying philosophy. In addition to being very concise and to-the-point, the author (Paul Strathern) is usually funny (a little anti-religious, however). You can also buy these online for pennies and find some in used book stores. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BEFORE COMING TO CLASS ON THOSE DAYS IN WHICH WE HAVE ASSIGNED READINGS OVER A PARTICULAR PHILOSOPHER.
Does the Center Hold? This is an introduction to the big ethical/philosophical issues accompanied by bizarrely drawn illustrations.
Wadsworth Philosopher’s Series. A series which gives brief overviews of each thinker. After reading them, you’ll feel it was worth the time and effort.
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (online). plato.stanford.edu: a trusted online source of everything philosophical.
Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is Thursday, April 5th.
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. Bruce King
|
|
Office Location:
|
1525 W. California St., Gainesville, Texas
|
|
Telephone Number:
|
bking@nctc.edu
|
|
E-mail Address:
|
940-668-4267
|