Elementary Ethics
PHIL 121
3 Credit Hours

Course Information

Course Description:

Morality is tentatively defined as those rules that tell us what is good or bad, right or wrong.  They govern our behavior.  Ethics is tentatively defined as the rational justification of our moral rules.  These definitions will be refined as the course progresses.  This course, Elementary Ethics, is a critical analysis of the principle ethical theories and their applications to contemporary moral issues.   

Course Objectives:

By the completion of this course, students will:

  1. Be able to recognize, explain and critique the major ethical theories in Western and selected world philosophies, and relate these theories to contemporary moral problems.
  2. Be able to apply techniques of philosophical analysis to ethical arguments, and diagnose fallacies in those arguments.
  3. Be able to apply the moral problem-solving techniques proposed by various moral philosophers and ethical traditions to their own moral thinking.
  4. Develop the ability to analyze and criticize moral arguments and theses, including one's own position.
  5. Demonstrate competent English composition and critical thinking skills, sharpened in this class by the writing of analytical essays, ongoing class discussions, and a peer review of one written assignment.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites:

None

Course Topics:

Part One:  Ethical Theory

 

1.      Ethics and Ethical Reasoning

a.      The Presuppositions of Ethics

i.        Freedom and Determinism

j.        Ethics is intelligible, rational, and concerns the human condition

k.      Conflict of values

l.        Conflict of imperatives

m.    Ethics and law, etiquette and personal taste

b.      The Greeks

i.         Plato

ii.   Aristotle

c.      The Sages

2.      Ethics and Religion

a.      Judaism and the Divine Command Theory

b.      Christianity and the Biblical Tradition

c.      Buddhist Ethics

d.      Confucian Ethics

e.      Ethics and Islam

3.      Ethical Relativism

a.      Ruth Benedict

b.      Mary Midgley

4.      Egoism

a.      Psychological Egoism

i.  Thomas Hobbes

b.      Ethical Egoism

5.      Utilitarianism

a.      The Principle of Utility

i.        Jeremy Bentham

ii.   John Stuart Mill

b.      Act and Rule Utilitarianism

6.      Kant’s Moral Theory

a.      The Categorical Imperative

b.      Duty

7.      Natural Law and Natural Rights

a.      Aristotle

b.      John Locke

8.      Virtue Ethics

a.      Aristotle

b.      Carol Gilligan

 

Part Two:  Contemporary Ethical Issues (Note optional added issue not covered in the textbook*)

 

  1. Euthanasia
  2. Abortion
  3. Sexual Morality
  4. Pornography
  5. Equality and Discrimination
  6. Economic Justice
  7. Legal Punishment
  8. Environmental Ethics
  9. Animal Rights
  10. Cloning and Genetic Engineering
  11. Violence, Terrorism, and War
  12. Global Issues and Globalization
  13. Business Ethics*

 

Specific Course Requirements:

None

 

Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements

Required Textbooks:

 

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course:
http://rodp.bkstr.com

Supplementary Materials:

 

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course:
http://rodp.bkstr.com

 

Hardware Requirements:

The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm. there are no specific hardware requirements for this course.

Software Requirements:

The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm. Specific software requirements for this course include Real Player or Media Player, Acrobat Reader, Microsoft Word.  Streaming video is available from Annenberg CPB.  The Library has many PDF files and one Power Point Presentation.

 

Instructor Information

Please see the separate page inside the course to find instructor contact information as well as a statement of virtual office hours and other communication information.

 

Assessment and Grading

Testing Procedures:

There are two tests, the Ethical Theories Test and the Comprehensive Final Exam. 

 

The Ethical Theories Test will be given online.  It will be timed. There is a Practice Ethical Theories test for review.  Review Questions are provided in the corresponding course module. Neither the Practice Test nor the Review Questions count as part of the course grade. 

 

The Comprehensive Final Exam will be given online.  It will be timed. There is a Practice Final Exam for review.  Review Questions are provided. 

 

Review Questions for each chapter are available on the Assessments Page.  The questions come from the same test bank as the questions for both tests.  The Review Questions are available from the beginning of the class.  There is no limit on the number of times the Review Questions may be accessed. The Review Questions do not count as part of the course grade.   

 

Grading Procedure:

There are two tests. 

The first will be a test on the ethical theories studied in Part 1.  The second test is a comprehensive final exam.  The Test on Ethical Theories will be 20% of the course grade. 

The Comprehensive Final Exam will be 20% of the course grade.

 

Class Participation:

Students and the instructor will discuss various ethical theories and later ethical issues on the Discussion Board.  The responses to these questions will be evaluated by the instructor.  Specific criteria for high quality responses are given in the course module “Discussion Questions and Responses.”  The quality of the discussion responses will be evaluated and count 20% of the course grade.

 

Critique Paper:

There will be a first paper based on a Critique of an Ethical Theory (Chapters 1-7) studied. This paper is 20% of the course grade. See the Assignments section below.       

 

Ethical Issues Paper:

The second paper is a “peer-reviewed” paper on an Ethical Issue like those studied in the textbook in Part 2.  The ethical issue chosen by the student will be analyzed from the standpoint of an ethical theory of the student’s choice.  This paper will be 20% of the course grade.  See the Assignments section below.          

 

The average of each of these five course requirements taken together will determine the course grade.  

 

Suggested Grading Scale:

The Grading Scale for this class reflects the highest achievement in the course.  The scale may be adjusted by the instructor:

 

A:  92 – 100

B:  82 – 91

C:  70 – 81

D:  60 – 69

F:  Below 60

 

Assignments and Participation

Assignments and Projects:

There will be ongoing Class Discussions on ethical theories and contemporary moral issues throughout the semester.  Information on conducting the threaded discussions and for high quality responses is available in the course module “Discussion Questions and Responses.”  Ideally, the class discussions will take on the form of a Socratic dialogue in which students and the instructor together seek to find knowledge. 

 

After the section on ethical theories has been completed, approximately five weeks into the semester, the Ethical Theories Test will be given online.  A Practice Test for review purposes will be available online.  Review Questions will be available in the assessment module for the test on ethical theories. The Practice Tests and Review Questions do not count as part of the class grade.

 

Review Questions for each chapter covered are found in the assessment module.  These Review Questions consist of true/false and multiple choice questions that are based on the assigned reading materials.  Students are encouraged to use their books, notes and information gained from the Class Discussions when working on the Review Questions.  The Review Questions and the two exams share the same test bank.  The Review Questions are graded so that students know their score and the grades are posted.  However these grades do not count as part of your course grade.   

 

About two weeks after the Ethical theories Test, the first paper will be due.  Detailed instructions, suggested topics and a sample paper will be available in the corresponding course module for the Critique of an Ethical Theory paper.  Students will take one of the ethical theories studied and discuss its strengths and weaknesses by logical analysis. This can be done by different methods. For example the student may choose to critique ethical relativism from the perspective of religious absolutism or the deontological ethical tradition from the Utilitarian perspective.  Another possibility might be to show if a theory is ultimately logically contradictory.  Another possible approach might be to analyze an ethical dilemma and see how different ethical theories might say.  Ethical theories are discussed in Part 1 of the textbook and include Religion & Ethics, Ethical Relativism, Ethical Egoism, Utilitarianism, Kant’s Moral Theory, Natural Law & Natural Rights, and Virtue Ethics. See the Papers Module and the Appendix in the textbook for more information. 

 

 

Approximately 10 weeks into the semester, the draft of the second paper on an ethical issue or moral dilemma will be submitted to the Student Peer Review Group for evaluation and assessment by the group.  Detailed instructions and sample papers will be available in the corresponding course module.  Students will be divided into peer study groups. Each member of the group will submit his or her paper to the group for peer evaluation.  After the paper is evaluated by your fellow classmates, the student will make corrections and adjustments to the paper before submitting it to the instructor for final grading.  Approximately two weeks after that process is complete the final draft of the Ethical Issues Paper will be submitted to the instructor. 

Ethical issues include the topics in Part 2 of the textbook.  Some of these include Euthanasia, Abortion, Sexual Morality, Pornography, etc.  Additional information in available in the Papers Module.  Students may consider any ethical issue not mentioned in the textbook as well.   

 

The Comprehensive Final Exam will be given during the final exam period at the conclusion of the semester.  A Practice Final Exam review test will be available as well as review questions in the corresponding course module. 

 

Class Participation:

Students must participate in the ongoing class discussions of ethical theories and issues.  This class participation will take place on the Discussion pages. These discussions will be threaded and students are expected to participate fully in them.  Students are expected to be current with the threaded discussions and to participate fully in the dialogue.

 

Each student will be assigned to a peer review group of about five students.  The peer review group will engage in a preliminary evaluation of each student’s Ethical Issues Paper before the paper is submitted to the instructor for grading.  The Chat Room option will be opened for the peer review groups to use.  Students are encouraged to contact the instructor for advice. 

 

Students will meet each testing deadline and tests and quizzes will be closed after the deadline passes.  Students will meet each deadline for papers.  Late papers will be penalized by deducting points for each day the paper is past due. The instructor will post the penalty points deducted for late papers.       

 

 

Suggested Assignment Schedule:

s

 

Week:

Assignment/Topic:

Due Date:

 

Part 1:  Ethical Theory

 

Week 1

Ethics & Ethical Reasoning + Review Questions on Chapter 1

Ongoing Discussions

 

Week 2

Ethics and Religion + Review Questions on Module materials

 

Week 3

Ethical Relativism and Egoism + Review Questions on Chapters 2 & 3

 

Week 4

Utilitarianism and Kantian Ethics + Review Questions on Chapters 4 & 5

 

Week 5

Natural Law, Natural Rights and Virtue Ethics + Review Questions on Chapters 6 & 7

 

Part Two:  Ethical Issues

Week 6

Chapter 8: Euthanasia + Review Questions on Chapter 8

Test on Ethical Theories

Ongoing Discussions

 

Week 7

Chapter 9:  Abortion + Review Questions on Chapter 9

Consider Ethical Theory  paper topic

Ongoing Discussions

 

Week 8

Chapter  10:  Sexual Morality and

Chapter  11:  Pornography + Review Questions on Chapters 10 & 11

First Paper – Critique of an Ethical Theory Due

Ongoing Discussions

 

Week 9

Chapter 12: Equality & Discrimination + Review Questions on Chapter 12

Peer Groups formed

Ongoing Discussions

 

Week 10

Chapter  13:  Economic Justice and

Chapter  14:  Legal Punishment + Review Questions on Chapters 13 & 14

First Draft of second paper – Ethical Issues Paper – submitted to peer group

Ongoing Discussions

 

Week 11

Chapter 15:  Environmental Ethics and

Chapter 16:  Animal Rights + Review Questions on Chapters 15 & 16

Ongoing Discussions

 

Week 12

Chapter  17:  Cloning & Genetic Engineering and

Business Ethics + Review Questions on Chapter 17 and the module on Business Ethics

Final Draft of  the Ethical Issues paper submitted to instructor

Ongoing Discussions

 

Week 13

Chapter  18:  Violence, Terrorism & War and

Chapter  19:  Global Issues and Globalization + Review Questions on Chapters 18 & 19

Ongoing Discussions

 

Week 14

Final Exam Period

 

 

 

Punctuality:

A detailed Course Calendar will be prepared by the instructor.  This feature will give all test and paper deadlines.  Dates that discussion questions will be posted will be given.  Reminders and exact deadline dates will be posted on the calendar.  The Course Calendar may contain some internal links to relevant course content.   

 

Course Ground Rules

Participation in the threaded class discussions is required during the week reserved for each topic.  Late discussions added after the topic of discussion has passed will not be evaluated.

 

Students are expected to meet all assignment deadlines.  Assignments and their deadlines will be posted on the Course Calendar.

 

Students will communicate with each other within their student peer review groups. 

 

Students will learn how to navigate in D2L and should feel free to ask the instructor for assistance when needed. 

 

Students will keep abreast of course announcements by checking D2L email and the Discussions Board on a daily basis.

 

Students should use the assigned college or university e-mail address as opposed a personal e-mail address.  All course requirements can be meet by using the D2L email feature or other D2L features such as the Discussions Board or Chat rooms.

 

Students should address technical problems immediately by contacting the RODP Help Desk or the instructor.   

 

Students should observe course “netiquette” at all times. 

 

Guidelines for Communications

Email and discussions:

 

Students are expected to follow the following suggestions when using D2L email or the “Discussions” feature: 

  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members

Discussion Groups:

 

The Discussions Board of D2L will be utilized by students to conduct ongoing class discussions.  Students may want to consider the following suggestions for the course discussions:

  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

Chat:

 

The Chat Room feature of D2L can be utilized by the Peer Review Groups if they so choose.  Students may want to consider the following suggestions for the Chat Room feature:  

  • Introduce yourself to the other learners in the chat session.
  • Be polite. Choose your words carefully. Do not use derogatory statements.
  • Be concise in responding to others in the chat session.
  • Be prepared to open the chat session at the scheduled time.
  • Be constructive in your comments and suggestion

Web Resources:

Library

 

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in the Regents Degree Program. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading must be included in all courses.

 

Students With Disabilities

 

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

 

Syllabus Changes

 

The instructor reserves the left to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

 

Technical Support

Telephone Support:

If you are having problems logging into your course,
timing out of your course, using your course web site tools, or other technical problems, please contact the AskRODP Help Desk by calling

1-866-550-7637 (toll free)

or go to the AskRODP website at:

http://help.rodp.org