Course Requirements

1.  Attendance at all classes is expected.  Numerous absences will definitely affect your ability to satisfactorily meet the goals of this course.

2.  Reading the articles and cases assigned for each class is essential.  The assigned readings form the basis for your understanding and participation in class discussions as well as for Opinion Papers, and exams.  Please bring the assigned text to class every day.

 3. Participation in class discussions is strongly encouraged.  Active engagement with others in the consideration of ethical issues is central to the development of critical analysis skills and a well-supported personal position.

4. You will write five short Opinion Papers (one-two typed pages) during the semester.  The Opinion Paper on assisted suicide will also include interviews on this topic.  Each Opinion Paper will be worth a maximum of 8 points for a total of 40 possible points. Late Opinion Papers will lose one point for each day late. Papers may not be submitted by e-mail.

5. There will be three exams during the semester.  The first exam is on Tuesday, September 16.  The second exam is on Thursday, October 30.  The final exam is on Tuesday, December 9 at 3:00 PM (section 02) and Thursday, December 11 at 3:00 PM (section 01).  Each exam is worth 20 points.

6. The papers (40 points) and the exams (60 points) will combine to make up your final grade.  The total possible points for the class will be 100.  Total points of 90 will be an "A," total points of 80 will be a "B," and total points of 70 will be a "C."

7. Make-up exams will not be available, except in extraordinary circumstances.  The exams for this course include terms, concepts, arguments, and essay questions based on the assigned readings, handouts, and class discussions.  Final grades will include “plus” modifiers, when appropriate.  

         The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the philosophical area of ethics, the study of right and wrong human behavior.  The objectives of the course are (1) to understand classical and contemporary ethical theories, (2) to be able to explain arguments on opposite sides of several current ethical questions, (3) to develop a personal view on these questions and be able to explain supporting arguments for this view.

Text: Morality and Moral Controversies,  John Arthur, Seventh Edition (Eighth Edition)

Required Readings and Discussion Topics  

Thurs. August 21                          Introduction and Sylllabus