Jennifer Lemma
jennifer.baynelemma@wwcc.edu
Office Hour: Tuesday, 11:30-12:30 and by appointment
Philosophy 131
Ethics
Spring 2014
Rm. 108
9:30-10:30
“Knowledge is not a guarantee of good behavior, but ignorance is a virtual
guarantee of bad behavior.”
Philosopher, Ethicist and Law Professor, Martha Nussbaum
The Course
Ethical study is the philosophical exploration of right and wrong. We will investigate
theoretical ideas about goodness, happiness, moral law, compassion and choice. Through our
discussions, we will identify the ways in which these theoretical ideas are applicable in our daily
lives. We will analyze the consequences and ramifications of particular ethical beliefs as well as
our participation in developing, challenging and approving or refusing personal and community
codes of morality and ethical conduct. The focus of the course, however, will remain on the
academic study and understanding of ethical theory.
Primarily, we will use the required text; however, we will also discuss articles, internet postings,
videos and other media not listed in the syllabus. Current events and developing stories, as
applicable to the material we are studying, become part of our discussion, too.
The first part of the course begins by exploring the ancient, ethical philosophies of Plato,
Aristotle, Epictetus, and the Stoics. We then move to Augustine, Aquinas, Kant, Kierkegaard
and the Existentialists. It is from this substantial base of ethical theory that we begin discussing
what we could term “the moderns.” The second half of the course focuses on a diverse
collection of essays from a varying set of philosophical viewpoints.
The study of ethical theory, contrary to what you may have heard, is fun. It is an exciting area
of academic inquiry. We will have a fast-paced, dynamic, tolerant and inclusive classroom
setting. Civil behavior is required, not suggested. Diverse opinions are encouraged, tolerated
and respected. We are sure to dive into topics that at one point or another, you and your
fellow students will have strong opinions about and it is essential that we approach these topics
with civility.
Jennifer Lemma
jennifer.baynelemma@wwcc.edu
Office Hour: Tuesday, 11:30-12:30 and by appointment
How it Works
The course has four major components: lectures, in-class study questions, take-home question
responses, and two tests: a mid-term quiz and a final exam.
Lectures focus on the philosopher or philosophical concept we are currently studying. It is your
responsibility to take notes and relate the lectures to the readings. At the conclusion of most
lectures, you will be given a question on that day’s lecture/reading and you will respond in
writing before you leave the classroom. These questions are worth 10 points each and there
are 20 questions throughout the course, resulting in 200 available points. The in-class question
responses make up the bulk of the course points, i.e., if you come to class and do the work, you
will do very well in the overall course. In-class questions should regularly include a
quote/reference citation from the reading of that day. The take-home questions must be
typed, double-spaced and returned on time. Take-home question assignments are worth 15
points each, resulting in 150 available points. Take-home responses should include one to two
quotes from the textbook readings unless otherwise indicated. These assignments, in-class
and take-home questions are worth 65% of your grade. They are the most important
component to your success.
Late work is not accepted.
However, you may drop two in-class questions and one take home question without penalty.
There will be a mid-term quiz worth 20 points and a final exam worth 45 points. The final is a
cumulative exam, covering the entire course. The midterm quiz is worth 10% of your grade
and the final is worth 15%. Class participation is worth 10% of your grade and the final
percentage is awarded at the end of the quarter.
All standard rules apply: No cell phones in class, no texting, no computers or tablets, no
whispering/talking, etc.; any and all distracting behavior will result in a reduction in your
grade. Please remember that texting during class will result in a reduction of your grade (in
addition, you will lose your participation points). Repeated offenses will result in failing or
dropping the course at the instructor’s discretion. Turning in work that is not your own will
obviously result in failing or dropping the project and/or the course.
To request accommodations related to a disability, contact Claudia Angus, Ph.D., Coordinator of
Disability Support Services, Room 133C located in the Student Development Center or call 509
527 4262, or email claudia.angus@wwcc.edu.
Extra Credit projects may be offered for attending and writing about pre-approved lectures, art
events and concerts as are applicable to this course. In addition, students may have the option
Jennifer Lemma
jennifer.baynelemma@wwcc.edu
Office Hour: Tuesday, 11:30-12:30 and by appointment
to write extra credit papers. Extra credit is not to be used as an alternative to attending class in
order to make up class missed class work. Extra credit papers must be pre-approved and
received by designated timeframes. Extra credit will not be accepted at the end of the quarter
in an effort to improve an overall grade before the final.
This is a specific outline of what I am hoping we are able to cover in class. However, it is subject
to change based on student interest, discussion direction and availability of guest lecturers.
Date
WEEK ONE
4/2
4/3
4/4
WEEK TWO
4/7
4/8
4/9
4/10
4/11
WEEK THREE
4/14
4/15
4/16
Topic/Philosopher Readings/Questions/Assignments
Introduction: Ethics,
Cultural Relativism,
Absolutes
Introduction/Plato
Syllabus Review; Assign. p. ix-xiv
Assign. p. 3-5; 38-42Question #1 (Assignment
#1)
Plato
Plato/Social Contract
Theory/ Hobbes
Plato/Social Contract
Theory/Hobbes
Aristotle/Virtue Theory
Aristotle/Virtue Theory
Stoicism
Question #2 (Assignment #2); Assign. p. 134143 (Hobbes)
Take Home Question #1 (Assignment #3)
Assign. p. 43-45; p. 66-72 (Aristotle);
Assign. p. 80-84 (Aristotle)
Question #3 (Assignment #4)
Assign. p. 85-106 (Epictetus)
Epictetus; The Stoics
The Stoics; Col. John
Stockdale
Epicurus
Question #4 (Assignment #5)
Take Home Question #2 (Assignment #6)
4/17
4/18
WEEK FOUR
4/21
Augustine
Aquinas
4/22
Kant
4/23
4/24
Kant
Kierkegaard
Kant
Question #5 (Assignment #7) Assign. p. 107109; p. 116-118 (Augustine)
Assign. p. 119-124 (Aquinas)
Assign. p. 188-190 (Kant)
Question #6; (Assignment #8) Assign. p. 201213 (Kant)
Take Home Question #3 (Assignment #9)
Assign. p. 213-224 (Kant)
Question #7 (Assignment #10)
Assign. p. 299-305
Jennifer Lemma
4/25
WEEK FIVE
4/28
4/29
4/30
5/01
5/02
WEEK SIX
5/05
5/06
5/07
5/08
5/09
WEEK SEVEN
5/12
5/13
5/14
5/15
5/16
WEEK EIGHT
5/19
5/20
5/21
5/22
5/23
WEEK NINE
5/26
5/27
jennifer.baynelemma@wwcc.edu
Office Hour: Tuesday, 11:30-12:30 and by appointment
Kierkegaard
Kierkegaard;
Existentialism
Sartre; The Self and
Other; DeBeauvoir
Hallie
Hallie/Buber
Guest Lecturer
Question #8 (Assignment #11) Assign. 328332 (Sartre)
Take Home Question #4 (Assignment #12);
Assign. p. 333-349 (Hallie)
Question #9 (Assignment #13)
Lecture/King Discussion
Take Home Question #5 (Assignment #14);
Assign. p. 356-377
TBD
Mid-Term Quiz
Assign. p. 350-355 (Coles)
TBD
Mid-term Quiz
Coles/Integrity of the
individual
General
Lecture/Discussion
Question #10 (Assignment #15); Assign. p.
322-327 (Midgely)
General
Lecture/Discussion
No Class—Advising Day
Rawls
Take Home Question #6 (Assignment #16);
Assign. p. 378-395
No Class—Advising Day
Question #11 (Assignment #17)
Lecture on
Culture/Custom
MacIntyre
Assign. p. 396-423 (MacIntyre)
General
Lecture/Discussion on
Epigenetics
General
Lecture/Discussion
Noddings
Noddings and Feminist
Ethics; Motherhood
Levinas, Nussbaum, and
Reciprocity
Question #12 (Assignment #19)
No Class—Memorial Day
Leopold
No Class—Memorial Day
Take Home Question #8 (Assignment #22);
Assign. p. 486-305 (Leopold)
Take Home Question #7 (Assignment #18)
Assign. p. 424-444 (Noddings)
Question #13 (Assignment #20)
Question #14 (Assignment #21)
Jennifer Lemma
5/28
5/29
5/30
WEEK TEN
6/02
6/03
6/04
6/05
6/06
WEEK ELEVEN
6/09
6/10
6/11
jennifer.baynelemma@wwcc.edu
Office Hour: Tuesday, 11:30-12:30 and by appointment
Leopold/Environmental
Ethics
Economic Ethics
Singer
General
Lecture/Discussion
General
Lecture/Discussion
Regan
Walzer
General
Lecture/Discussion
Review for the Final
Review for Final
Final Exam
Question #15 (Assignment #23); Assign. p.
506-529 (Singer)
Question #16 (Assignment #24)
Take Home Question #9 (Assignment #25)
Question #17 (Assignment #26); Assign. p.
530-544 (Regan)
Take Home Question #10 (Assignment #27);
Assign. p. 545-566
Question #18 (Assignment #28)
Question #19 (Assignment #29)
Question #20 (Assignment #30)
conferencing
9:30-11:30