Download PHI 2320 syllabus 2021 fall

INTRODUCTION TO ETHICS
Philosophy 2320 – Fall 2021
Section 002/CRN 15079
Online
Instructor: Brian Fields
Email: [email protected]
Office: 5057 Woodward, Room 12206.1
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 11:30 am-1:00 pm
Required Textbooks:
The Fundamentals of Ethics (Fourth or Fifth Edition) by Russ Shafer-Landau; published by Oxford
University Press, 2017 or 2020. ISBN: 9780190631390 or 9780190058319.
The Ethical Life (Fourth or Fifth Edition) by Russ Shafer-Landau; published by Oxford University Press,
2017 or 2020. ISBN: 9780190631314 or 9780190058241
Course Description:
In this course we will examine classical and modern views concerning ethics. We will explore such questions
as: What determines the rightness and wrongness of actions? Are there objective moral standards? What
constitutes a moral life? You will learn the basic skills needed to critically evaluate arguments concerning
these issues.
Learning Outcomes:
Students who complete this course should be able to:
* Read a philosophical text and be able to identify and summarize the author’s main
philosophical claims or positions as well as some of the arguments used to support those claims.
* Write a clear essay in which they identify and summarize another philosopher’s argument
and/or evaluate that argument, or in which they raise an objection to another philosopher’s
argument or defend a philosophical view of their own.
* Identify, define, and apply some basic philosophical terms and distinctions in the field of
ethics.
* Identify and display familiarity with some of the issues, questions, and problems in ethics, as
well as with some of the main philosophical views that have been taken on those topics.
* Demonstrate an increased ability to communicate their views clearly and effectively, and to
engage in constructive philosophical debate, with others both in the classroom and out-side of
the course.
Evaluation:
Grading Scale: A= 93-100; A- = 90-92; B+ = 87-89; B = 83-86; B- = 80-82; C+ = 77-79; etc…
Weekly Discussion Board Questions 20%
Students are required to respond to discussion questions every week. Each question is worth a total of ten
points. In order to receive full credit for this assignment, students must meet the following criteria: 1)
Answers must be at least a paragraph in length (four or five sentences); 2) Responses must fully answer
the discussion question; 3) Responses must be submitted by Friday each week. Those who miss the
deadline for submission will receive no discussion points for that week (see policies and procedures.) You
are not required to respond to other students, but I strongly encourage you to do so. No disrespectful
comments will be tolerated. All criticisms should be directed at specific claims and never at the individual
who holds them. Any student who leaves a disrespectful comment to another student will receive a zero
for that assignment, and any further disrespectful comments will result in a failing grade for the course.
All comments given must be your own. Any student caught plagiarizing a response will receive a zero on
that particular assignment. Students who claim that they were unable to submit their responses before the
deadline due to technical problems must provide proof in order to be eligible for a late submission.
Weekly Quizzes 20%
Students must take a multiple choice quiz each week starting the third week of classes. The quizzes will
cover the readings assigned for that week. I will also provide a study guide a week before the quiz is due
to help you focus on the relevant material. The quizzes are timed, so be sure to read the assignments and
go over the study guide before you attempt to take the quiz. You will only be allowed to take the quiz
once. No makeup quizzes will be given for any reason. Quizzes must be taken by noon on Monday.
Students who miss the deadline will receive a zero for that particular quiz (see policies and procedures.)
Each quiz will have ten questions and be worth a total of ten points. Students who claim that they were
unable to submit their responses before the deadline due to technical problems must provide proof in order
to be eligible for an excused quiz.
Three Essays 60% (20 % each):
Students are required to submit three short essays throughout the semester (see course schedule for
deadlines.) The first two essays will have three parts: 1) A general summary of one of the theories
discussed in the lecture; 2) An explanation of one of the strong objections to that theory, including
examples to help make the objections clear; and 3) A response to the objection. The final essay will
have two parts: 1) A detailed summary of one of the readings from Part IV of The Ethical Life; and 2) A
detailed objection to the author’s argument. You will be graded on clarity, accuracy, and consistency.
Your essays must be double-spaced and free of spelling errors. You will only need the textbook and
class notes to complete the essay. Students should avoid using any other outside sources. Any
additional sources that contribute to your paper must be cited via footnotes or other references. You
may not use direct quotes. You are being graded on your understanding of the material, so explain the
view of the author in your own words. *Any student caught plagiarizing will receive a zero for that
assignment (see policies and procedures.*) Students must submit their essays through Canvas in the
proper format (Word or PDF). No emailed papers will be accepted. No late papers will be accepted.
Policies and Procedures
Late Assignments: It is the student’s responsibility to submit assignments on time and in the proper format.
No late work is accepted without written proof showing why the assignment deadline could not be met.
Students must contact me BEFORE a deadline is missed in order to be eligible for a late submission or to be
excused from a quiz, this includes missing a deadline due to technical issues or internet connection problems.
I recommend that students attempt to take quizzes and submit assignments well before the deadline so that
there is plenty of time to contact me if an issue arises. Students may only submit assignments once. There are
no opportunities to redo assignments once they are submitted.
Scholastic Dishonesty: All work submitted must be your own. Any sources that contribute to your work must
be cited via footnotes or other references. Any student caught plagiarizing will receive a zero for that
assignment and may receive further disciplinary action from the University. I strictly enforce this policy.
Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities should register with Student Disability Services (5771851) and see me regarding any special arrangements.