Download Introduction to Political Theory

Topics in Texas and American Politics: Ethics
Fall 2006
POL 1213 002
TR 9:30-10:45
Classroom: HSS 2.01.10
Email: [email protected]
Dan Engster
Office: MS 4.03.36
Office hrs.: TR 11:00-12:00
Office phone: 458-5645
Aristotle wrote that ethics, or the study of moral behavior and values, is the primary subject
matter of political science. It helps us to decide what is right and wrong and what goals and
actions to pursue or avoid in our personal and public lives. The study of ethics can be divided
into two main categories: theoretical ethics and applied ethics. Theoretical ethics studies
general philosophies of morality (What is moral? Why should one be moral?). Applied
ethics examines particular moral issues and questions (abortion, euthanasia, personal
freedoms). This course provides an introduction to theoretical and practical ethics focusing
especially on theories and issues relevant to American and Texas politics. In the first part of
the course, we study four major systems of ethical thinking: virtue-based ethics (Plato),
deontological ethics (Kant), utilitarian ethics (Mill), and feminist ethics (Gilligan). In the
second part of the course, we study the application of these theories to practical issues such
as animal rights, abortion, euthanasia, the death penalty, and civil freedoms. By the end of
the course, students should be able to identify the major elements of the four major systems
of ethical thinking studied and express moral arguments for and against a number of
particular issues. Above all, it is hoped that students will clarify their own thinking about
philosophical and practical ethical issues.
REQUIRED BOOKS:
The following books are available at the UTSA Bookstore, the Student Bookstore on
Roadrunner Way, and L&M Bookstores. They are also on reserve at the 1604 library.
Gilligan, Carol, In a Different Voice, (Harvard: Harvard University Press, 1993).
Kant, Immanuel, Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals, (Indianapolis: Hackett, 1993).
Mill, John Stuart, Utilitarianism, (New York: Prometheus, 1987).
Plato, The Republic, (Indianapolis: Hackett, 1992).
Satris, Stephen (ed.), Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Moral Issues, Tenth
Edition, (Dubuque, Iowa: McGraw-Hill, 2006).
Singer, Peter, Practical Ethics, (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1993).
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1) Exams: There are two exams in this class: a midterm exam and a comprehensive final exam.
The midterm exam counts 35% toward your final grade, and the final exam counts 40%
toward your final grade. Both exams will be in class, multiple choice exams. Make-up
exams will be given only to students who present a note from the Dean or a doctor explaining
their absence on the day of the exam. In any case, all make-up exams will be penalized a
minimum of 15 percentage points.
2) Participation: Your participation grade will be based upon two factors: your contributions
to small discussion groups within class and periodic reading quizzes. About once a week,
I will ask you to get into small groups in order to discuss some questions relating to the
class readings and to produce a written group assignment. Your group will receive credit
or no credit for your assignment based upon the quality of your answers. About once a
week, I will also begin class with a multiple choice reading quiz to test whether or not
you have completed the assigned reading for the day. You will receive credit or no credit
for each reading quiz. Your participation grade will be based upon your group project and
reading quiz grades. Participation counts 25% toward your final grade.
Support services, including registration assistance and equipment, are available to
students with documented disabilities through the Office of Disability Services (DSS),
MS 2.03.18. Students can contact that office at 458-4157 to make arrangements.
COURSE SCHEDULE:
8/24: Introduction
VIRTUE_BASED ETHICS
8/29: Plato, Republic, Bk. I, (327a-354c), p 1-31.
8/31: Plato, Republic, Bk. II, III (357a-383c, 412a-417b), p 32-59, 88-93.
9/5: Plato, Republic, Bk. IV, (427d-445e), p 102-121.
9/7: Plato, Republic, Bk. V, (449a-480a), p 122-156.
9/12: Plato, Republic, Bk. VII, (514a-527c), p 186-199.
9/14: Plato, Republic, Bk. VIII, IX, (543a-563d, 588a-592b), p 213-234, 259-263.
DEONTOLOGICAL ETHICS: KANT
9/19: Kant, Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals, preface, first section, and half of
second section, p 1-30.
9/21: Kant, Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals, second section, half of third section,
and “On a supposed right to lie,” p 30-55, 63-67.
UTILITARIANISM: MILL
9/26: Mill, Utilitarianism, chapts. 1-3, p 9-48.
9/28: Mill, Utilitarianism, chapts. 4-5, p 49-83.
FEMINIST ETHICS: GILLIGAN
10/3: Gilligan, In a Different Voice, p 1-34.
10/5: Gilligan, In a Different Voice, p 128-174.
10/10: MIDTERM EXAM.
10/12: No class.
APPLIED ETHICS I (Singer): ANIMALS, EMBRYOS, AND OTHERS
10/17: Singer, Practical Ethics, p 55-82
10/19: Singer, Practical Ethics, p 83-134.
10/24: Satris, Taking Sides, Issue 18: Is it Morally Permissible to Eat Meat?, p 330-344.
10/26: Singer, Practical Ethics, p 135-174.
10/31: Satris, Taking Sides, Issue 4, Is Abortion Immoral?, p 59-79.
11/2: Singer, Practical Ethics, p 175-217 + video.
11/7: Satris, Taking Sides, Issue 17, Should Physician-Assisted Suicide Be Legalized by the
States?, p 317-327.
11/9: Singer, Practical Ethics, p 218-246 + handout.
APPLIED ETHICS II (Satris): CLONING, PUNISHMENT, AND PERSONAL
FREEDOMS
11/14: Satris, Taking Sides, Issue 7: Should Human Cloning Be Banned?, p 109-124.
11/16: Satris, Taking Sides, Issue 16: Should the Death Penalty Be Abolished?, p 289-315.
11/21: Satris, Taking Sides, Issue 10: Should Drugs Be Legalized?, p 160-182.
11/23: THANKSGIVING DAY. NO CLASS.
11/28: Satris, Taking Sides, Issue 15: Should Handguns Be Banned?, p 258-288.
11/30: Satris, Taking Sides, Issue 13: Should Same-Sex Marriage Be Allowed?, p 221-246.
12/11: FINAL EXAM 10:30 am-1:15 pm.