SYLLABUS
HANDOUT
for
Introduction to Ethics
Philosophy
203 / Section 2 A
Summer
2005
Edward
Abplanalp
1-800-228-9553
COURSE SECTION AND TITLE: Philosophy
203
Introduction
to Ethics
ACADEMIC QUARTER: Summer
2005
INSTRUCTOR’S NAME: Edward
Abplanalp
LOCATION OF CLASS: EVC
154
METHODS OF CONTACTING INSTRUCTOR:
Email
address:philosophered@cox.net
IMPORTANT DATES:
DATE CLASS BEGINS: June
8, 2005
DATE CLASS ENDS: August
10, 2005
LAST DATE TO DROP CLASS: July
26, 2005
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will: (1) raise
the student's understanding of the complex nature of certain prevalent ethical
problems, (2) provide students with a historical background for many of the
ethical traditions within Western philosophy, (3) enable students to
communicate in an intelligent manner on issues regarding morality, (4) increase
the student's adeptness in critiquing an ethical position, and (5) have
students refine their own ethical positions.
COURSE PREREQUISITES: Students are recommended to have completed ENG 101 &
102.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: Students will learn and demonstrate
these specific skills:
· Learn
arguments for and against ethical relativism
· Learn
how to apply and critique the Golden Rule
· Learn
how Just War theory is used to determine the legitimacy of a military operation
· Learn
how to apply Mill’s Greatest Happiness Principle
· Learn
how to apply Kant’s Categorical Imperative
· Learn
how sexism and racism violate the principle of equality
REQUIRED TEXT: We will be using the fourth edition of Nina
Rosenstand’s The Moral of the Story: an introduction to ethics (New
York: McGraw Hill, 2003).
METHODS OF LEARNING: Students are expected to cover assigned
materials before class. This includes
doing the assigned reading and the exercises included in each chapter.
ATTENDANCE STATEMENT: Students are expected to attend each class. Students who are
unable to attend class are expected to bear the burden of understanding the
material on their own.
STUDENT WITHDRAWAL:
If you cannot attend and complete this course, you should officially
withdraw by calling Central Registration, 457-5231. Failure to officially withdraw will result in either an
instructor withdraw (IW) or failing (F) grade.
The last date to withdraw is identified on the first page of this
syllabus handout.
ACADEMIC HONESTY STATEMENT:
Students are reminded that materials used in connection with this course
may be subject to copyright protection.
Additional information about copyright is provided on the library
webpage at http://www.mccneb.edu/library, by your
instructor, or by the College's Copyright
Officer. In response to incidents of
student dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism, etc.), the College imposes specific actions
that may include receiving a failing grade on a test, failure in the course,
suspension from the College, or dismissal from the College. The disciplinary procedures are available in
the Counseling/Advising Centers.
USE OF STUDENT WORK: The ownership of student works
submitted in fulfillment of classroom requirements shall remain with the
student(s): By enrolling in classes offered by Metropolitan Community College,
the student gives the College license to mark on, modify, and retain the work
as may be required by the process of instruction, as described in the course
syllabus. The institution shall not have the right to use the work in any other
manner without the written consent of the student(s).
ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING PROGRAM: Metropolitan
Community College is committed to continuous improvement of teaching and
learning. You may be asked to help us to accomplish this objective. For
example, you may be asked to respond to surveys or questionnaires. In other
cases, tests or assignments you are required to do for this course may be
shared with faculty and used for assessment purposes
TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES: By using the information technology
systems at MCC (including the computer systems and phones) you acknowledge and
consent to the conditions of use as set forth in the Metropolitan Community
College Procedures Memorandum on Acceptable Use of Information Technology and
Resources. It is your responsibility as
a student to be familiar with these procedures. The full text of the Procedures Memorandum may be found at the
following website: http://www.mccneb.edu/itprocedures.htm
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
PROGRAM AREA IDENTIFICATION:
Program
Area: Communication and Industrial
Technology
Dean: John Mangini
Academic
Dean’s office phone: (402) 738-4011
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION: This course will be a combination of
lecture, discussion, and class exercises.
METHODS OF ASSESSING STUDENT PROGRESS:
Student progress will be assessed by in-class and take-
examinations. There will be four exams given during the semester. Materials
asked on exams are covered thoroughly in class. Problems on the exams are often
examples taken from the textbook.
CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING FINAL COURSE GRADE: Each of the
exams will constitute 25% of the final course grade. The Final course grade
will be calculated as follows: 100-90% - A; 90%-80% - B; 80-70% - C; 70-60% -
D; below 60% - F.
MAKE-UP TEST PROCEDURES: A missed exam can only be made up
under dire circumstances (and with good documentation). See the instructor for
details. The final exam given on August 10th cannot be made up.
MAINTENANCE OF STUDENT RECORDS: Records are maintained by
the instructor and are available for review by the student at any time
immediately before or after class. Exams will be returned during the next
class.
SECTION V: SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS:
June 8th: What is Ethics?
June 15th: Ethical Relativism (Chapter 3)
June 22nd: Finish Relativism & Golden Rule
Ethics (Exam #1 – Take Home)
June 29th: Utilitarianism (Chapter 5)
July 6th: Finish Utilitarianism & Start
Kant’s Deontology (Chapter 6)
July 13th: Kant’s Deontology (Exam #2 – Take
Home)
July 20th: Natural Law and Rights Theory (Chapter
7)
July 27th: Justice and Equality (Exam #3 – Take
Home)
August 3rd: Just War Theory & Animal Rights
(Chapter 13)
August 10th: Feminist Ethics (Chapter 11) & Final
Exam (In Class)