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PHI 3670: Ethical
Theory
Syllabus - Spring Term 2004/T-Th 4:30-5:45, COM 116
Assignments, message board, calendar and other utilities and
requirements appear also at http://reach.ucf.edu/~phi3670a .
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Dr. Nancy
Stanlick |
Department
Office: 407-823-2273 |
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Office:
CNH 411-I/Phone: 407-823-5459 |
e-mail: stanlick@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu
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Hours: T
& Th 11:30-12:15, 3:15-4:00, Wed night online
9:00-10:00, & and by appt. |
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Links to Syllabus
Contents
Course Description and Objective: Ethical Theory is an upper-division course in philosophy dealing
with major theoretical movements in normative and meta-ethics in the history of
Western philosophy. Some “applied” topics are relevant to the course. They are ethical issues in personal relationships, supererogatory actions, moral
responsibility, and self-respect.
In this course, you should gain a solid background in major theories of
ethics, developing the ability to discuss these theories from an explanatory
and critical point of view. Many movies contain ethical themes, and
there will be opportunities throughout the semester to incorporate the use of
films, plots of films, and literary sources to illustrate various elements of
course content. Furthermore, since the University’s common theme is
Integration/Desegregation/Brown vs. Board of Education, and since this theme
fits exceptionally well in the content of this course (consider diversity,
reform, individual rights, for example), a component of the course will be
based on the Brown vs. Board of Education case.
The objectives of the course are at least the following. First,
you will become familiar with the history
of and problems of ethics and be able to write about and discuss critically its development and specific
points of emphasis. Second, you will develop and sharpen skills in research and
critical/analytical reading and writing. Third, because the course is
designed for collaborative written and graded assignments, you will work
closely with at least three other students in the course on the development of one major research paper
on a theme, argument, trend or problem in ethics.
Texts:
1. Paul A. Newberry, Ethical
Traditions (Mountainview, CA: Mayfield/McGraw-Hill, 2000).
2. Kelly James Clark and Anne Poortenga, The Story of Ethics (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2003).
3. On-line texts, works, excerpts as noted.
Requirements and Grades: USE OF WEBCT IS A
COURSE REQUIREMENT. ALL COURSE
ASSIGNMENTS (EXCEPT AS NOTED AS “IN CLASS”) ARE TO BE SUBMITTED VIA WEBCT INCLUDING THE FINAL GROUP RESEARCH
PAPER. Three examinations as well as individual assignments or quizzes and a collaborative term
paper are required for the course. See the chart below for assignments,
objectives, and percentages.
Objectives
|
Assignment/Assessment |
Major Elements of Ethical Theories |
Critical/Analytical Reading and Writing on course content |
Research Skills |
Collaboration |
Percent of Grade |
Due Date – |
|
Info Form |
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|
X |
X |
2% |
January 15th.
Get the form
here. |
|
Interest Assessment – used to determine groups for research
papers |
X |
X |
|
|
3% |
January 20th.
Get
the form here. |
|
Exam 1 |
X |
X |
|
|
10% |
February 5 |
|
Exam 2 |
X |
X |
|
|
15% |
March 4 |
|
Exam 3 |
X |
X |
|
|
15% |
Apr. 22, 4:00
p.m. |
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Short Papers (# TBA).
This may include some quizzes online on WebCT. |
X |
X |
|
X (selected, some
are individual) |
10% |
Varied, return here
for dates. Get the
topics here. |
|
Draft of Individual Section of Collaborative Paper Preparation |
X |
X |
X |
X |
10% |
March 30 |
|
Evaluation of individual participation in group |
X |
X |
X |
X |
5% |
April 8, Get the
form here |
|
Final Collaborative Research Paper. Note: The person assigned or chosen to be “chair” of the
group will submit the paper in WebCT. |
X |
X |
X |
X |
20% (Group Grade
= 10%, Individual Grade = 10%) |
Thursday April 15 |
|
Other in-class assignments/”Minute” papers – This includes quiz
1 on a moral problem at 10 points out of 100 total in this category. |
X |
X |
|
X (selected, some
may be collaborative) |
10% |
Varied, see WebCT
or schedule, below. |
Explanation of individual
assignments/assessments.
1. Information form. Designed to provide
general information regarding your interests and background, why you are taking
this course, and your experience with upper level courses and writing research
papers.
2. Interest Assessment. Provide
information regarding elements of this course you find most interesting and
about which you would be interested in researching and writing.
3. Midterm and Final Exams. Determine grasp of
course content and ability to evaluate and compare/contrast arguments and
positions in ethics.
4. Short Papers – may be collaborative or individual and can deal with any
aspect of course content.
5. Draft of individual section of
collaborative paper preparation and final collaborative paper. The final research
paper will be a collaborative project written by all the members of the group
to which you are assigned. One or
two people will write the summary of a position, argument or problem. All group members will be responsible
for writing the introduction and conclusion. Others will write individual critical analyses of the
position, argument or problem that is the subject of the paper. Each person will submit a draft of his
or her contribution to the paper individually. Groups may consist of 4-6
members. One person (who is
appointed “chair” of the group) will submit the final paper over WebCT for the
group. Note that the grade for the
final paper is split evenly between the group grade and the individual grade.
6. Evaluation of individual participation
in the group.
Every person will evaluate all others (as well as themselves) in the
group. The average of all
evaluations of each individual will determine your group participation grade.
7. Other in-class assignments/”Minute”
papers.
From time to time, very short “1-minute,” “2-minute,” or “3-minute”
papers will be done in class. They
are timed (hence the name “minute” papers) and constitute, collectively, 10% of
your grade. So be sure to attend
regularly. They cannot be made up
if they are missed.
No grades are dropped. Be sure
to attend class regularly since you are responsible for meeting all obligations
for the course. Make-up examinations and assignments are given only with
good, legitimate and verifiable reasons. Papers are due absolutely no
later than the date listed in the schedule in this syllabus, and/or listed in
the calendar or
"assignments" link in WebCT. Late papers are not
accepted. Incomplete grades are given only in cases of extreme hardship
or verifiable emergencies and are subject to conditions as appropriate.
Any late exam or assignment must be made up within 3 class meeting days of its
initial administration. If you will miss an examination or assignment due
to a recognized religious observance, you must provide at least 2 weeks notice
in writing to be able to make up what you miss. There is no extra credit
offered or available in this course. Grades are earned, not given.
Explanation of Collaborative Research Paper
The
research paper is a major component of this course, and between preparation for
it, peer evaluations, and the final product, it accounts for 35% of your grade
for the course (see draft, evaluation, and final paper, above). So it is very important that you define
your interests very early in the course, that you work cooperatively and
productively with others, that you submit your element of the paper to the
other members of your group at a reasonable time, and that you read the entire
work before the final version is submitted. Every member of the group is responsible for finding and
correcting errors in content, critical analysis, and grammar, spelling and
punctuation in the final product.
Use MLA style for the paper.
The
collaborative paper will consist of the following parts:
1. Introduction – the section of the
paper explaining the problem to be addressed and briefly outlining the approach
to be taken in examining, solving, or analyzing the problem. (Usually 1-2 pages – All group members
write this section.)
2. Summary of the main argument or
position – the section of the paper summarizing the original work/problem that
is the subject of the critical analyses in the next section. (Usually 2-3
pages. One or two people write
separate versions of this section that will ultimately be combined into one in
the final paper. This is the
“factual” AND interpretive element of an original work or problem.)
3. Individual critical analyses – the
section of the paper devoted to your critical appraisal of the argument or
position summarized in section 2.
(Usually 2-3 pages. At
least two group members will write two separate critical analyses – one per
person.)
4. Conclusion – the section of the paper
summarizing the connection between the critical analyses in section 3 and the
summary of the argument or position in section 2. (Usually 1-2 pages –All group members write this section.)
5. Bibliography – alphabetical listing of
sources used. MLA Format.
Topics for the Collaborative Paper
There
will be 11-13 groups of 3-5 people per group. Each group will write ONE paper with contributions from all
the members of the group. The
topics for the paper (general) are the following:
1. Aristotle’s conception of the moral
value of friendship in social/political context. Based on journal article or book chapter TBA.
2. An analysis of the moral status of
supererogatory (saintly, heroic) actions.
Based on Susan Wolf’s article (in text) and one other article or book
chapter TBA.
3. Hobbes’s Ethics and the Possibility of a
Good Life. Based on a journal
article or book chapter TBA.
4. Moral Responsibility in Stoicism. Based on a journal article or book
chapter TBA.
5. The moral significance of self-respect.
Based on the article by Thomas Hill, Jr. (in text) and one other article or
book chapter, TBA.
6. Can there be ethics without God? Based on a journal article or book
chapter TBA.
7. Brown v. Board of Education case and
self-respect, Kantian ethics, Rawls, or Utilitarianism
8. Other topics TBA. How X would respond to Y regarding Z,
etc.
Groups will be determined based on interest and explanation of
interest provided by each person.
You should discuss among your group members, as soon as possible after
assignment in groups, whether you are interested in altering in some way the
topic listed above to specify it more particularly. You need to let me know about this and have changes in the topic
approved.
Procedures for the Collaborative Paper
Remember
that this is a group project that is graded both individually and as a
group. So make sure that you work
closely with each other on the production of the paper.
During
the first week of classes, we will discuss some of the major features of all of
the topics for the course in overview form. During the second week, everyone needs to fill out the form
on WebCT indicating their interests, choosing their top four generic topic
choices above and explaining briefly why you are interested in the topic.
From
that point, you should begin to read the primary works related to your topic
that appear in the texts for the course or in links in appropriate areas of
this syllabus. You should use the discussion area of WebCT to talk to the
members of your group about the topic, about your interpretation of the
problem, and so on. You also need
to decide among yourselves which people will do which sections (section 2 or
section 3) of the paper. Then, you
need to start looking at secondary sources and even additional primary sources
(works written by the person on whom you are working or on whose problem you
are writing) and begin writing your section of the paper. Remember that all group members write
the introduction and conclusion, and these elements of the paper cannot be
written properly (or at all) without the summary(ies) and critical analyses
being done first.
Your
individual draft version of your contribution to the paper is due on the date
listed in the schedule. You need
to provide all the people in your group with a copy of your draft.
Grades and Grading Scale:
Grades are based on the following numerical values and are assigned using the
+/- grading system.
Grading Scale and Policies
|
A = Superior, far exceeds average understanding as evidenced in
course work and goes significantly beyond the basics. |
95-100% |
C = Average, meets minimum expectations and satisfies course
requirements. |
74-76.x% |
|
A- = Excellent, exceeds average understanding as evidenced in
course work and goes well beyond the basics. |
90-94.x% |
C- = Slightly below average, meets bare minimum expectations and
satisfies course requirements. |
70-73.x% |
|
B+ = Far above average, meets or exceeds average understanding as
evidenced in course work and fully understands the basics and goes somewhat
beyond that level. |
87-89.x% |
D+ = Below average, meets most minimum expectations and satisfies
all or most course requirements. |
67-69.x% |
|
B = Far above average, fully meets average understanding as
evidenced in course work and fully understands the basics and can deal with
concepts somewhat beyond that level. |
84-86.x% |
D = Below average, meets many minimum expectations and satisfies
all or most course requirements. |
64-66.x% |
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B- = Just above average, fully meets expectations for basic
understanding as evidenced in coursework and fully understands the basics and
can deal with concepts at that level. |
80-83.x% |
D- = Far below average, but meets most minimum expectations and
satisfies most course requirements with minimal understanding evidenced in
course work. |
60-63.x% |
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C+ = Slightly above average, fully meets expectations for basic understanding
as evidenced in coursework and understands the basics. |
77-79.x% |
F = Fails to meet minimum expectations in understanding and
course work as evidenced by performance and submission of graded elements. |
0-59.x% |
I will not take attendance
in this course. It is up to you to
keep track of yourself. If you do
not intend to attend on a regular basis, you may wish to re-think taking this
course. You do not get "credit" for showing up for class. Being
in class, one would think, is a given. Although attendance will not be
taken, you are responsible for meeting all the course requirements, being
present for examinations, quizzes, and assignments, and submitting all required
coursework on time. Graded
assignments for this course can be made up only
with good, legitimate, and verifiable reason. Otherwise, missed examinations or any graded element may not
be made up. There is no extra credit available in this course. Also keep in mind that grades are
earned, they are not "given." Changes of grade are made only for legitimate reasons (e.g.,
clerical errors) after the semester has ended.
Plagiarism of any kind is a violation
of the "Golden Rule" as published in the UCF Catalog. Academic
honesty and integrity are expected of everyone all the time. In other
words, don't cheat. Academic dishonesty results in at least an “F” for
the particular assignment concerned and may be subject to further action as
appropriate. Visit the UCF Website for information on the "Golden Rule."
Your papers and other written work are all subject to submission to
"turnitin.com." Remember
that the group is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of papers and the
integrity of research. In other
words, each person in a group working on a group paper should carefully read
the work of others, and evaluate that work honestly and with care. Evaluations of group work and
individual participation are part of your grade for the course.
Common courtesy is expected at all
times. Wandering in late is disruptive and impolite - so are ringing,
singing, and musical cell phones and screeching beepers. Please turn them
off, or set them to a silent alarm. I prefer that you not record
lectures.
You are responsible for being in class
and for any exams or assignments you may miss. Much of the material
covered in class may not appear in the text or in any notes in the syllabus or
website. If you miss a class, you are responsible for obtaining any notes
or information you missed. Office hours are not held to repeat a lecture
already given in class. They are held to clarify points, provide
assistance, and otherwise attend to academic matters relevant to this
course.
Schedule & Other Information:
From time to time, course materials beyond the texts may appear in this
syllabus or in WebCT (or both). Watch for them. Review questions
that are useful for exams appear at the ends of selections in Ethical Traditions and are also part of
your participation in the course.
Make sure to keep up with the readings since, from time to time (and
usually unannounced), there will be “minute” papers that, collectively, count
as 10% of your grade.
A message board and e-mail appear in
WebCT. The message board is for
on-line review and discussion of topics, issues, and collaborative
papers. You should use it or e-mail for posting questions to other people
registered in this course and for studying for exams. It may also prove
useful in completing course assignments.
The schedule is meant only as a
guide. Changes and alterations in
the schedule of topics, examination dates, paper due dates, assignments and
other schedule-related information may be made from time to time to facilitate
completion of all major sections listed.
Schedule
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Date |
Topic |
Chapter in Newberry |
Chapter in Clark & Poortenga |
Online Readings or Notes and Study Questions/Optional Readings |
Other Info |
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Tue Jan. 6 |
General course information, major branches of philosophy, topics
in ethics |
Introductory Meeting, Course Requirements, WebCT use, etc. |
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Note: Use the reading questions at the ends
of the chapters in Ethical Traditions for
review for exams and possible content of “minute” papers. |
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Thur Jan. 8 |
More information on background in Ethical Theory |
Background information on topics in Ethical Theory |
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Notes: Background
information on ethics Notes: Cases in Ethics |
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Tue Jan 13 |
Ancient and
Medieval Ethical Theories (Virtue Ethics) |
·
Plato, 22-35 (Euthyphro) and 36-44 (Republic) ·
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·
The Ancient World, 5-30 |
Notes: Plato’s Euthyphro Notes: Plato’s
Republic |
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Thur Jan 15 |
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Assignment 1 is due today
– information form. Get the
form here. Submit it on
WebCT. |
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Tue Jan 20 |
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·
Aristotle, 45-67 (Nic. Ethics) |
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Notes: Aristotle’s
Ethics and Aristotle’s
Political Theory |
Assignment 2 is due today
– interest survey to establish groups for final papers and other
collaborative work. Get the
survey here. Submit it on
WebCT. |
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Thur Jan 22 |
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Plato and Aristotle Continued |
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Class Cancelled |
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Tue Jan 27 |
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·
Plato and Aristotle |
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Group
Assignment Information here. Check this page to find out the group
to which you have been assigned, who is chair of the group, and who will do
which sections of the paper. |
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Thur Jan 29 |
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·
Epicurus, 68-77 (Letter to Menoeceus & Principal Doctrines) ·
Epictetus, 78-96 (Enchiridion) Aquinas, 108-121 (Summa
Theologica) |
The Medieval World, 31-50 |
Notes: Epicurus Notes: Virtue Theory
(General) Notes: Virtue Theory
Graphic File |
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Tue Feb 3 |
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·
Continuation and Review |
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Thur Feb 5 |
TEST 1 |
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Tue Feb 10 |
Early Modern
Ethical Theories (Rights Based), Emotivism & Early Feminist Theory |
·
Hobbes, 122-136 (Leviathan) |
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The Modern World, 51-78 |
Notes: Hobbes Notes: Hobbes on Equality Notes: Hobbes
Graphic File Notes: Egoism |
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Thur Feb 12 |
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·
Hobbes continued ·
Locke – go to Locke’s Second Treatise of Goverment |
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Notes: Locke Notes: Locke Graphic File Notes: Hobbes &
Locke Combined |
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Tue Feb 17 |
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·
Locke ·
Hume, 152-169 (Enquiry Conc. The Principles of Morals) |
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Notes: Hume NEW INFORMATION:
UPDATE AND CLARIFICATION ON COLLABORATIVE PAPERS. GO TO http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~stanlick/finalcollabpaper.html |
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Thur Feb 19 |
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Hume Continued |
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Tue Feb 24 |
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Kant, 170-184 (Fundamental
Principles of the Metaphysics of Morals) |
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Notes: Kant Ethics
Updates Presentation on Kantian Ethics |
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Thur Feb 26 |
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Kant continued |
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Tue Mar 2 |
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Kant, end – and in-class review for test 2 |
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Thur Mar 4 |
Test 2 |
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Also see this link
for the text of Locke’s Second Treatise of
Government Chapters 1-5
are essential. Chapters 7, 8, 9,
18 and 19 are suggested. Other
chapters are completely optional.
(But you should someday read the whole thing.) |
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Tue Mar 9 |
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SPRING BREAK |
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Thur Mar 11 |
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SPRING BREAK |
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Tue Mar 16 |
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·
Mary Wollstonecraft, 194-201 (Vindication of the Rights of Woman) ·
Marx, 217-229 (Comm. Manifesto) |
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Notes: Wollstonecraft Notes: Rights-Based
Ethics Notes: Marx |
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Thur Mar 18 |
Late Modern Ethics |
·
Mill, 202-216 (Utilitarianism) |
The Late Modern World, 79-104 |
Notes: Mill Ethics
Updates site on Utilitarianism Notes: Kant and Mill in
one File Notes: Act and Rule
Utilitarianism |
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Tue Mar 23 |
Utilitarianism Contd |
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Thur Mar 25 |
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·
A.J. Ayer, 286-299 (Language, Truth and Logic) ·
Elizabeth Anscombe, 310-326 (“Modern
Moral Philosophy”) |
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Notes: Paper on Emotivism
Notes: Anscombe |
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Tue Mar 30 |
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Rawls, 327-338 (A Theory
of Justice) |
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Notes: Rawls Notes: More on Rawls |
DRAFTS OF
INDIVIDUAL SECTIONS OF FINAL PAPERS ARE DUE. Submit papers on WebCT. |
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Thur Apr 1 |
Class is cancelled
today, but individual sections of papers are DUE today. |
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Class is cancelled
today. I will be attending an
international teaching conference to present a paper and receive a teaching
with technology award. The
website for the conference is here:
http://www.teachlearn.org |
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Tue Apr 6 |
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·
Bernard Williams, 339-354 (Utilitarianism: For and Against) |
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Thur Apr 8 |
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·
Thomas Hill, 355-368 (“Servility and
Self-Respect”) |
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Notes: Hill’s Article Link: To Emerson’s
“Self-Reliance” and
notes on
“Self-Reliance” |
COLLABORATION
EVALUATION FORMS ARE DUE. Get the
form here. Submit the form
on WebCT. |
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Tue Apr 13 |
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·
Susan Wolf, 369-387 (Moral Saints) |
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Notes: Wolf’s Article |
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Thur Apr 15 |
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·
Virginia Held, 397-end (“Feminism and
Moral Theory”) |
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Notes: Feminist
Ethics |
FINAL GROUP PAPER
IS DUE. Chair of Group: Submit
it on WebCT |
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Final Exam Week |
APRIL 22, 4:00 P.M. |
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YOUR FINAL EXAM IS
NOT CUMULATIVE, SO YOU WILL NOT NEED 3 HOURS TO TAKE IT. THE EXAM WILL END AT 5:30 P.M. |
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Additional Resources/Links
