Nebraska Methodist College

Core Values:  Caring, Excellence, Holism, Learning, Respect

 

HU 210-01

PRINCIPLES OF ETHICS

 

SYLLABUS

Summer 2005

 

 

FACULTY MEMBER:

Edward Abplanalp

LOCATION:

Room 002: Watson Classroom

CLASS TIMES:

M, W, F from 8:30 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.

E-MAIL:

philosophered@cox.net

OFFICE HOURS:

See me to set up an appointment.

 

 

CREDIT HOURS:

3

 

TEXTBOOKS:       

 

Barbara MacKinnon’s Ethics: theory and contemporary issues, Wadsworth (4th ed.)

           

COURSE OVERVIEW:

 

Introduction to Ethics introduces students to theories and practices of individual, communal, and societal obligation in a multicultural context. The course investigates selected moral problems with particular attention to race, class and gender. Moral inquiry in the course incorporates scholarship from sources such as the social sciences, literature, history, philosophy, religion, and other disciplines. Community-based learning and case studies serve as resources for investigating contemporary moral problems and analyzing ethical theories.

 

GENERAL COURSE OBJECTIVES:

 

I.            Define and describe ‘ethics’.

II.          Define, describe and contrast major ethical theories.

III.        Identify how proponents of various ethical theories would respond to specific moral problems and identify which moral theories inform various ethical arguments.

IV.       Understand ethical issues related to social class, gender, and race.

V.         Develop skills of careful and disciplined reading, discussion, argumentation, writing, and editing.

 

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES:

 

Reading texts and case studies, lectures, small and large group discussions, formal and informal writing, take-home and in-class exams.


Course Evaluation:

 

 

Exam #1

25 points

 

 

Exam #2

25 points

 

 

Exam #3

25 points

 

 

Final Exam

25 points

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE

100 points

 

 

Responsibilities:

 

1.     Attendance and Participation: Regular attendance is expected of all class participants.  A student who is absent from class is responsible for all material and assignments given during that class period.

 

The success of this course depends largely on the shared process of questioning and dialogue among a community of learners.  Students are expected to enter class prepared to discuss their responses to the texts.  Preparation of readings and review of notes are essential to individual and group success in this class.

 

2.      Academic Honesty: All work submitted for this class is expected to be your own original work. Any idea that is not your own must be documented (i.e. the source must be cited). Any cheating or plagiarizing will result in an F.

 

3.      Other Responsibilities:

·       Students are expected to cover assigned materials before class.

·       A missed exam can only be made up under dire circumstances (and with good documentation). See the instructor for details. The final exam cannot be made up.

·       Cell phones are expected to be off during lectures, unless there is a why they need to be on.

·       Please try to arrive on to class on time. If you are late to class, do not speed in your vehicle; simply be courteous to other students when you enter the classroom.

 

4.     Exams: Student progress will be assessed by in-class and take-home examinations. There will be five exams given during the semester. Materials asked on exams are covered thoroughly in class. Exams that are missed without prior notification and a legitimate excuse cannot be made up and will receive a grade of zero.

 

 

5.     Final Exam: The final exam will be held in our classroom.  It will be cumulative.  Students must take the final exam in order to pass the course.

 

NOTE: Your continued registration in the course indicates your acceptance of the terms of the syllabus.  The procedures and schedule are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.

 

Tentative Schedule