Ethics (PHI-102) at YCCC

Ethics and Contemporary Society

PHI 102 – 2C1

He who knows others is learned;

he who knows himself is wise.

— Lao-Tze

Spring 2009

Wednesdays, 5:30 – 8:10

Room C120

Instructor: Wayne Boardman

Telephone: 767-5210 x4119 (daytime) Email:

Course Description: This course introduces students to classical, historical, and contemporary perspectives on the theory and practice of ethics. Students will apply this knowledge by examining a variety of contemporary personal, social, and professional ethical issues and problems and by practicing methods for arriving at ethical solutions and decisions. The course emphasizes critical thinking skills and reasoning, and the expression of ideas in writing.

Prerequisite: ENG 101

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. Identify and explain the various schools of ethical thought.

2. Research and examine a contemporary ethical dilemma.

3. Explain the concept of ethical relativism.

4. Explore the conflict between ethical relativism and human rights in a cross-cultural context.

5. Recognize and understand ethical issues in everyday life.

6. Articulate their own system of ethical reasoning.

7. Apply a step-by-step reasoning process for ethical decision-making.

Texts:

Kidder, Rushworth. How Good People Make Tough Choices. New York: Harper Collins, 1995.

Applying Ethics: A Text with Readings 9^th Edition. Belmont, CA: Thompson Wadsworth, 2008.

Attendance policy:

Because much of the learning in Phi 102 occurs during class discussion, attendance is required and will be taken. Students are expected to attend all classes regularly and punctually. If you miss a class, you are responsible for completing all assignments and for requesting missed handouts. Four points will be deducted from your final grade for each missed class after the first absence. For extraordinary circumstances, consideration will be given, provided you contact me as soon as possible.

Schedule of Reading and Assignments*

1/21	Syllabus review – Ethical lapses vs. ethical dilemmas
1/28	Kidder: Chapters 1-2
2/4	Applying Ethics: Chapter 1, p. 2-22
2/11	Applying Ethics: Chapter 1, p. 23-53
2/25	Kidder: Chapters 3-4
3/4	Kidder: Chapters 5-6
3/11	Kidder: Chapters 7-8
3/18	Kidder: Chapter 9; Applying Ethics: Chapter 2
3/25	Applied Ethics: Chapter 4 – Abortion, p. 127-144, 167-177
4/1	Applied Ethics: Chapter 6 –Human Cloning, p. 228-263, 284-292
4/8	Applied Ethics: Chapter 7 – Capital Punishment, p. 293-303, 308-312, 321-333
4/15	Applied Ethics: Chapter 8 – Terrorism and Civil Liberties, p. 334-361
4/29	Applied Ethics: Chapter 11 – Environmental Ethics, p. 452-465, 485-505
5/6	Group Presentations
5/13	Group Presentations

* Reading assignments subject to change with advanced notice.

Grading:

Assignment	% in Final Grade
Class Participation	10%
Reading Quizzes	10%
Text Review Papers	20%
Position Paper	20%
Personal Essay	20%
Group Presentation	20%

Class Participation – includes coming to class prepared, participating in class discussions, and listening attentively to classmates and instructor.

Reading Quizzes – Most classes begin with a reading quiz to ensure that students are prepared for an informed discussion of texts and issues. You may prepare notes for use during the quiz. You may not photocopy someone else’s notes for this purpose nor share a page of notes during the quiz. Because classes typically start with a quiz, latecomers may miss all or part of a quiz. Quizzes cannot be made up. At the end of the term, the two lowest quiz scores will be dropped.

Text Review Papers – Written reviews for selected chapters will be submitted on the dates that the reading is due. These reviews should be no more than one page in length, and should include the following: 1) One paragraph to summarize the chapter; 2) One or two paragraphs to highlight one or two specific points of interest; 3) A final paragraph which offers personal comment and conclusion. Reviews will be assigned at least one week before they are due.

Position Paper – This assignment consists of a written discussion of any ethical dilemma of interest to you. The paper should include some consideration of and explanation of opposing views. The written presentation should include at least the following: 1) An introductory explanation of the issue and what’s at stake; 2) A brief summary of opposing views; 3) An analysis of personal and social concerns; 4) A statement of possible resolution or conclusion (with your own ethical position on the subject). The total length of the written report should be about 400 words (3 pages) and should include bibliographic information on sources consulted. Your proposed topic must be submitted by March 18, an annotated bibliography by April 15, and the competed paper by April 29.

Personal Essay – You are to write a two-page paper called This I Believe. In it, you will summarize your own system of ethical reasoning. It can take numerous forms as long as you show evidence of thinking seriously about your own ethical system of beliefs. This paper will be due on 5/6 or 5/13, depending on the date of your group presentation.

Group Presentation – As part of a randomly selected team, you will give a 20-minute group presentation to the class using PowerPoint. All group members must speak with an even distribution of work and words. Some class time will be made available to work on the project. A rubric will provide guidance on the structure and grading of the assignment. An annotated bibliography is due one week before the group’s presentation.

ACADEMIC HONESTY:

YCCC expects its students to maintain the highest standards of academic honesty. Students who are academically honest produce new work for each class that they take. When writing, academically honest students correctly document all quoted and paraphrased material. They resist the temptation to copy and paste material from the Internet with out citing sources. Penalties for plagiarism, cheating, or other academic dishonesty range from failure of an assignment, to failure of a course, to expulsion from the institution.

RESOURCES & SUGGESTIONS FOR STUDENT SUCCESS:

a. Free writing tutoring is available by signing up at the Library Front Desk.

b. YCCC is required to make reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. You must provide documentation of your disability to Student Services before accommodations can be granted. Timely accommodations are dependent on early registration with Student Services.

Believe those who are seeking the truth.

Doubt those who find it. – Andre Gide