Sample Syllabus: Contemporary Moral Issues

1. Method & Course Description

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To be in a position to determine the moral status of specific actions

or persons, one must understand ethical theories: general explanations of
why, and guidelines for, what sorts of actions are morally permissible,
morally required or morally impermissible. Is an action morally required
because the outcome of that action is the greatest good for the greatest
number? Or is an action morally permissible because it has a certain form
common to all morally tolerable actions? Should we, on the other hand, use
as our model for morally permissible actions the behavior of those we take
to be paragons of virtue?
Only after we have understood the fundamental ethical theories can we
begin to approach the contemporary moral issues which might be decided as
consequences of these theories. Even though the issues of pressing
importance often rouse the passions of proponents of particular views (and
the critics of those views), thought and discussion are most productive
when passions and excitements have cooled. We can keep clear and cool heads
in matters of contemporary issues by letting the ancient philosophical
method of dialectic and argument set the parameters for our investigation.
When someone holds a particular view they take to be the correct one
(perhaps in terms of a specific issue of morality) and that person wishes
to convince someone else of the correctness of that view, the best method
is not an appeal to emotion, but rather an appeal to reason. An argument
(philosophically speaking) is the clear and concise presentation of one of
more starting points (or premises) from which, by the process of sound and
careful reasoning, one can come to a conclusion. The process of reasoning
represented by an argument should be such that if the premises from which
one logically infers the conclusion are good ones, a rational person will
accept that conclusion. We test the strengths of premises and arguments by
engaging in dialectic or Socratic dialogue – the process of careful,
dispassionate examination of premises and the steps by which we reason to a
conclusion. Dialectic is most productive when the participants take each
other seriously, listen to one another carefully, think carefully about
what is being said, think carefully before speaking in response, try to
criticize constructively every aspect of any position that is put forward,
yet refrain from personal attacks or criticism of a person rather than a
position. We shall engage in dialogues of this sort in this class.

2. Instructor Information
-------------------------

Dr. Jesse Butler

<dept. info>

<contact info>

<office hour info>

Appointments: Please set up an appointment if you're confused

about something, need help getting started on an assignment or
would like to receive feedback for what you've written.

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 Sample Syllabus: Contemporary Moral Issues

3. Course Information
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A. Meeting Places & Times

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<MTWRF> <time> <place>

B. Texts
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Required
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Daniel Bonevac Today’s Moral Issues: Classic and Contemporary

Perspectives (TMI)

Farhad Manjoo True Enough: Learning to Live in a Post-Fact Society (TE)

[These books are on reserve at the library -- visit the circulation

desk.]

Recommended
-----------

Edward C. Banfield The Moral Basis of a Backward Society (MBBS)

Bill McKibben Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and the Durable
Future (DE)

Walter Benn Michaels The Trouble With Diversity (TD)

[These books are on reserve at the library -- visit the circulation

desk.]

C. Grades
---------

Grades are assigned based on the number and length of written assignments
successfully completed, performance on five surprise quizzes during the
semester and class attendance. Letter grades are assigned based on the
number of “points” a student earns during the semester.

i. Written Work
---------------

To receive credit for a written assignment a student must respond to a

specific prompt <more info>, and the response must

(a) be written in clear, cohesive and grammatical English.

(b) address, in a straightforward way, the issue raised by the

prompt.

(c) contain a bare minimum of quoted material (* AT MOST 10% * of

the total number of words of the assignment can be quotation).

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 Sample Syllabus: Contemporary Moral Issues

(d) be original work (not plagiarized).

(e) <submission particulars stub>

If a submitted assignment fails to satisfy all of (a)-(e) then no

credit will be given for that assignment. The submission will be
marked ‘0’.

ii. Points
----------

a. Points are awarded for each satisfactorily completed written

assignment (hereafter 'response') according to the following
scheme:

If the response is

+ less than 100 words, zero (0) points are awarded.

+ between 100 words and 199 words, 1 point is awarded.
+ between 200 words and 299 words, 2 points are awarded.
+ between 300 words and 399 words, 3 points are awarded.
+ between 400 words and 499 words, 4 points are awarded.
+ between 500 words and 599 words, 5 points are awarded.
+ between 600 words and 699 words, 6 points are awarded.
+ between 700 words and 799 words, 7 points are awarded.
+ between 800 words and 899 words, 8 points are awarded.
+ between 900 words and 999 words, 9 points are awarded.
+ greater than 1000 words, 10 points are awarded.

b. Points and attendance & punctuality.

+ For each period a student attends, 1 point is awarded.

+ For each period for which a student is late, no points are
awarded or subtracted.
+ For each period during which a student is absent, 1 point
is subtracted.

c. Points and the five surprise quizzes.

+ For each of the quizzes successfully completed, one 1 point

is awarded.

iii. Final Grade Calculation

----------------------------

Points are then tallied and letter grades are assigned based on the
number of total points in accord with the following table:

90+ Points........A
85 - 89 Points........B+
80 - 84 Points........B
75 - 79 Points........C+
70 - 74 Points........C
60 - 69 Points........D
Less that 60 Points...E

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 Sample Syllabus: Contemporary Moral Issues

D. Determining Grades
---------------------

Navigate to "My Grades" on E-Learning for your scores. Grades will

be updated every Friday. A submission which is plagiarized will be
scored -1.* An instance of a submission which doesn't otherwise
meet criteria 3.c.i.(a)-(e) will be scored 0. If you notice that
you've received a -1 or 0 on an assignment, and you wish to challenge
this evaluation, it's your responsibility to set up a meeting with
me and present your case.

Examples of a Grade calculation

------------------------------

(1) Andrew Sample attends 33 (out of a total of 45) periods of class

meetings, is never late when he shows up, completes three (out of
a total of five) surprise quizzes, completes 9 assignments (each
of which meets criteria 3.c.i.(1)-(4) above) of the following
lengths: 555 words, 401 words, 1001 words, 1003 words, 400 words,
612 words, 478 words, 1120 words and 1098 words, and turns in one
assignment of length 1556 words which is copied straight from
en.wikipedia.org - a 75% match according to turnitin. Ouch!
Andrew Sample's final grade is:

33 points (for attendances)

-12 points (for absences)
+3 points (for surprise quizzes)
+5 points (for satisfactory assignment of 555 words)
+4 points (for satisfactory assignment of 401 words)
+10 points (for satisfactory assignment of 1001 words)
+10 points (for satisfactory assignment of 1003 words)
+4 points (for satisfactory assignment of 400 words)
+6 points (for satisfactory assignment of 612 words)
+4 points (for satisfactory assignment of 478 words)
+10 points (for satisfactory assignment of 1120 words)
+10 points (for satisfactory assignment of 1098 words)
+0 points (for an unsatisfactory assignment)
----
87 Points = B+.**

(2) Ferit Ontime attends all 45 class periods, is never late,

successfully completes all five surprise quizzes and completes
just four assignments (each of which meets criteria 3.c.i.(1)-(4)
above) of the following lengths: 1001 words, 1023 words, 1011 words
and 1200 words. Ferit's final grades is:

45 points (for attendance

+5 points (for surprise quizzes)
+10 points (for satisfactory assignment of 1001 words)
+10 points (for satisfactory assignment of 1023 words)
+10 points (for satisfactory assignment of 1011 words)
+10 points (for satisfactory assignment of 1200 words)
----
90 points = A

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 Sample Syllabus: Contemporary Moral Issues

E. Feedback and Comments on Written Work

----------------------------------------

If you'd like to discuss what you've written, please set up an

appointment to talk about your work. This feedback is especially
helpful for philosophy majors or students considering majoring
in philosophy.

F. Classroom Conduct
--------------------

(1) We'll engage in discussion for much of our class time. In order
to have a productive discussion, only one person may speak at a time.
(2) Please be on time to class.
(3) Please silence your cell phones before class. If your phone rings,
don't answer it.
(4) Anyone disrupting will be asked to leave.

G. E-Learning Message Policy

-------------------------

Only e-Learning messages that are concise and relevant will receive
a response. Don't expect an immediate answer.

H. Academic Assistance
-------------------

Free tutoring is available on campus. Individual instruction to

help improve reading and writing skills is available from the
Reading and Writing Center.

I. Special Needs
-------------

Students requesting special accommodations must first register

with the Dean of Students Office.

J. Tentative Schedule
---------------------

(Week 1) Subject Relativism, Cultural Relativism (TMI pp. 1-14)

M: TMI pp. 1-14 (Bonevac’s introduction)

W: TE: pp. 1-26 (chapter 1)
F: TE: pp. 27-58 (chapter 2)

(Week 2) Relativism Continued

M: TE: pp. 59-96 (chapter 3)

W: TE: pp. 97-142 (chapter 4)
F: TE: pp. 143-182 (chapter 5)

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 Sample Syllabus: Contemporary Moral Issues

(Week 3) Relativism Continued

M: TE: pp. 183-220 (chapter 6)

W: TE: pp. 221-242 (epilogue)
F: The Thuggees (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thuggees)

(Week 4) Theory: Consequentialism / Utilitarianism (TMI pp. 38-45)

M: TMI: pp. 38-45 (J.S. Mill from Utilitarianism)

W: TMI: pp. 77-84 (Peter Singer from Animal Liberation)
F: TMI: pp. 100-118 (sundry readings on environment)

(Week 5) Consequentialism / Utilitarianism continued

M: “The Oil We Eat” from Harper’s Feb. 2004 (on e-reserve)

W: TMI: 119-128 (more on environment)
F: TBA

(Week 6) Consequentialism / Utilitarianism continued

M: TBA: Freedom & Liberty & the difference

W: TBA: Rights
F: TBA: Drug Use & Sexual Practices

(Week 7) Theory: Deontology

M: Explication
W: Difference between Deontology & Consequentialism
F: Theory and Intentions – Do they matter?

(Week 8) Deontology Continues

M: The Philanthropic Misanthrope example

W: Modifications to Deontology from a Conseq. perspec.
F: Deontology and a Current Moral Issue

(Week 9) Theory: Virtue Ethics

M: Explication
W: Differences in V.E., Consequentialism And Deontology
F: Virtue Ethics and some current moral issues

(Week 10) Virtue Ethics Continued

M: What distinguishes Virtue Theory?

W: Virtue Ethics and some current political issues
F: TBA

(Week 11) Divine Command Theory

M: Explication
W: Problems; the Euthyphro Objection
F: Divine Command Theory and current moral issues

(Week 12) A Current Moral Issue: The Power of Corporations

M: The Corporation (film)

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 Sample Syllabus: Contemporary Moral Issues

W: The Corporation cont’d

F: Discussion

(Week 13) A Current Moral Issue: The Role of Gov’t in our lives

M: TD selection
W: TD selection
F: Discussion of TD

(Week 14) A Current Moral Issue: Globalization and the Local Economy

M: DE selection
W: DE selection
F: Discussion of DE

(Week 15) (Class chooses a contemporary moral issue to discuss)

M: TBA
W: TBA
F: TBA

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* Assignments will be submitted to e-Learning but will be evaluated
with turnitin software which rates the originality of the work by
comparing it with Internet sources, databases of student papers and
assignments submitted by members of the this class. A turnitin "score"
that indicates a too high degree of similarity of will not count as
successful. In assignment of such short length, there is no need for
any sort of quotation.

** Andrew also has to live with the eternal shame and disgrace of
trying to pass off wikipedia's work as his own. His GPA might
recover, but he'll never forget what he tried to do...