Course Details

Introduction to Ethics
Camden County College, Blackwood Campus
Philosophy 131, Spring 2008
Section 01: Monday, Wednesday, & Friday 10:00 – 10:50 a.m. in Madison 311
Section 02: Monday, Wednesday, & Friday 11:00 – 11:50 a.m. in Madison 311

Instructor: Sean Landis
Email: slandis@camdencc.edu
Phone: 609-980-8367
Course Blog: http://cccethics08.blogspot.com

Required Texts
Vice & Virtue in Everyday Life, 7th Edition, Christina & Fred Sommers (VV)
Do the Right Thing, 2nd Edition, Francis J. Beckwith (DTRT)

About the Course
This course is designed to get us thinking hard about morality. We're going to ask and try to answer a bunch of broad and fundamental questions. We'll ask the obvious questions: what are the right things to do, and what are the wrong things to do? But we'll also examine trickier questions. What makes an action good or bad? What does it mean to be morally good or bad?

The course is split into two parts. In the first half of the course, we'll study several ethical theories. We'll examine different answers philosophers have offered to the above questions. In the second half of the course, we'll apply these theories to particular ethical problems, including abortion, euthanasia, world hunger, and animal rights. The goal of this course is to develop a philosophical understanding of what underlies moral claims and apply this understanding to our own ethical beliefs.

Grades
90-100% = A
80-89% = B
70-79% = C
60-69% = D
below 60% = F.

Quizzes (2) 7.5% each (15% total)
Midterm 15%
Final 25%
First Paper 5%
Second Paper 15%
Homework 5% total
Oral Report 15%
Attendance/Participation 5%

Exams: The midterm tests everything covered during the first half of the course, and will last the full period (50 minutes) on the scheduled day. The final exam is cumulative—that is, it tests everything covered throughout the whole course, not just the second half. The final lasts 50 minutes, and will take place on the last day of class.

Quizzes: Unlike the exams, quizzes will not be cumulative. Quiz #1 tests everything covered during the first 4 weeks of class, and quiz #2 tests everything covered after exam #1 (weeks 7 through 9). Quizzes will last 20 minutes, and be held at the beginning of the period on the scheduled day.

Oral Report: The oral report will be a group project presented in front of the class toward the end of the semester. Each group of 3-4 students will research an ethical topic not explicitly discussed in class and present a 10-15 minute presentation on it.

Papers: There will be two papers, the first a short one on ethical theory and the second a longer one on one or more of the applied topics we discuss.

Homework: Homework assignments are due at the beginning of class the day they are due.

Classroom Policies
Academic Integrity: Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. Students found guilty of either will definitely fail the test, quiz, or assignment – and possibly the entire class. NOTE: Working with fellow students on group projects or homework assignments is not cheating. Copying a fellow student’s completed homework assignment is cheating. (Come to me if you are unsure what constitutes cheating or plagiarism.)

Excused Absenses: Make-up exams, quizzes, in-class projects, or oral reports will only be rescheduled for any excused absences (excused absences include religious observance, official college business, and illness or injury – with a doctor’s note). An unexcused absence on the day of the exam or quiz will result in a zero on that exam or quiz.

Important Dates
January 18: Last day to drop a course & receive a 100% refund.
February 4: Last day to drop a course & receive a 50% refund.
February 11: Last day to sign up to audit a course.
April 28: Last day to withdrawal from Fall Classes.