Evangel University, Spring 2007, M, W, F - 11:00 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. AB2 305.
Phil 118, Professor Douglas F. Olena
Evangel Policy regarding term papers and tests
Special Cases Policy for learning or physical disabilities
General Rules for paper writing.
I can not overstate the reasons why a course in Ethics is so essential for a Liberal Arts education. The history of ethical thought runs continuously alongside the history of civilization. Mankind has for all his existence sought to understand what his obligations are and how he should undertake the project of living well. Answers to questions of human obligation have been answered in many ways by many cultures. The most troubling issue proceeding from this is that the answers given are not only in huge variety but often contradictory.
What is one to do in the face of these often contradictory belief systems? The answer is not a simple one and can't be understood by a simple appeal to any authority. Even when we appeal to the Bible, we are faced in Christian civilization with the knowledge that various Christian cultures permit what others don't and forbid what others permit. All this is done in the name of Jesus under the authority of the word of God. As you might expect, there is no firm answer in ethical literature.
However, the study of ethics provides a language and categories to discuss moral problems with. Its usefulness as a foundation to law, government, medicine, the individual, family and society in general shows up in the myriad explanations we give for our behavior. As well, justice demands not only an explanation but justification which ethics gives.
Ethics is a course that helps us put in perspective many of the moral issues that face us in life. It is a course that asks questions unasked anywhere else in the curriculum
One must, however, be ready emotionally and in moral development to apply the ideas and principles in this study. As Aristotle says, "For the immature, ethical study is of no value, any more than it is for persons deficient in self control; but those who regulate their aims and guide their conduct by principle may derive great benefit from the science."
Introduction to ethics, ethical problems, and major ethical systems.
This Introduction to Ethics will survey some history of ethical development, major schools of thought and the modern dilemma arising from a scientific treatment of human character. We will also discuss some contemporary moral issues.
Students explore fundamental Ethical issues in western philosophy such as relativism, egoism, right and wrong, the nature of happiness, moral obligation, virtue, duty, utility and justice. These issues are explored through readings and discussion of major ethical problems, ancient and modern.
A. Ethics, Theory and Contemporary Issues, Edited by Barbara MacKinnon.
This text contains the majority of essays to be discussed. The book excels in drawing a clear view of the major issues while bringing contrasting opinions to bear on the same problems. As well, the introductory material is first rate.
B. The Elements of Moral Philosophy, Fifth Edition, James Rachels and Stuart Rachels.
This text contains essays covering many aspects of moral philosophy. James Rachels illustrates his theory with cogent examples throughout, simplifying comprehension of difficult themes.
Attendance is part of your class participation grade. If you take all the allowable cuts you can not get more than a 90% and possibly only 70% depending on the weight of the calculation of that element in class participation.
The homework, besides reading the essays, will be to prepare one question for each essay you are required to read. These questions will address some fundamental issue with the material. I will use these questions to prepare the sectional quizzes. The list of questions will be due one or two class periods before the sectional quiz. Each of these lists will count 10 points. There will be no credit given for late assignments.
Periodically, the class period will consist of a discussion of a moral problem, say, euthanasia. I will ask students a class period or two before to volunteer to present a report. The assignment will be to find a current report of the specified moral problem and give a short review of it. This is meant to start a general discussion.
This short report will be explicitly comprised of four things.
This presentation is 1/8 your total grade.
Rules and specifications for the research paper and oral report.
1. The paper topic: A list of possible topics is available on the web. A topic should be selected from this list. Any topic not included in this list is subject to approval by the professor. See the calendar for the due date.
2. A thesis, outline and bibliography will be crafted by the student after a review of the literature. These are tentative but will give the student direction for further research. See the calendar for the due date. See this link for help constructing the thesis and outline. An on-time delivery of these three things is worth 10 of the possible 100 points for this paper. Failure to hand it in will lose those 10 points.
3. By Monday the 9th of April it is expected that your research will be complete and your paper well advanced.
4. The length of the paper will be approximately 2000 words. If there is more substance that can not be covered in 2000 words, then write no more than 2500 words.
5. There will be three clearly delineated parts of the paper. Each section shall be titled appropriately.
7. Paper Grading issues:
The paper constitutes one quarter of your grade.
The final exam is optional for those whose grades are (up to that point) an A or B. However for those who's grade is C or below, the final exam is mandatory.
The exam is not punitive (unless the student fails to show up, losing 1/8 of the grade.) If it is below your current average, then it will not be counted.
The topic of the exam will be announced the last day of class during review day.
If you have any questions about any of this syllabus or any of the course requirements, please email me. You are responsible for everything in this syllabus and if you fail to hand in an assignment, you are still responsible for it and will be graded without it. I may remind you the assignment is due, but am not obligated to. I will also direct you to this syllabus if the answer you seek is in it.
I have made and will make mistakes. When I do, I am disposed to favor the student. Begging me to reconsider a grade sometimes will help you, though the last time I read a paper for the second time, I found more mistakes, and realized why I had given the student the grade I did. I did not lower the student's grade. However, in the second class I had with this student she turned in an an extremely good paper that I gave an A for.
If you are having trouble in class, please see me, email me or call me. I am more likely to be generous to you if we have a relationship of some kind. If you sneak into class late, leave early, never say anything in class or out of it, show no interest in the material, etc., there are few options to me when it comes to grading your work. I will be as fair as humanly possible, but if I don't know you, all I will have is the work you give (or don't give) me.
As much as the techne of education disposes us to treat each other perfunctorily, I am convinced that the effort required to master the material is a very humanizing process. We depend on each other for this conversation to be productive. Fostering relationships with fellow students and professors will be to our mutual advantage.
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