Lake-Sumter State College Course Syllabus
Course / Prefix
Number
CRN:
Course Catalog
Description:
PHI 2630
Course Title:
Contemporary Ethics
10058
Credit:
3
Term:
Fall 2014
A study and critical evaluation of major theories of moral values and contemporary
issues. The major emphasis of the course is the application of these theories to current
ethical questions through the analysis of selected writings. The student will investigate
the process of making moral judgments and assess the procedure by which people
decide what is right and wrong behavior.
David Benjamin
Instructor:
Office
Location:
Online
Contact
Information:
benjamid@lssc.edu
Office Hours:
By Appointment.
All students are required to use Lakehawk Mail for official college e-mail
communications.
See the college webpage for instructions on activating Lakehawk Mail.
Prerequisites:
Co-requisites:
Textbook and Other
Course Materials:
Technology and
Online Computer
Access Requirements:
Course Objectives:
(what the course will
do)
Student Learning
Outcomes (SLOs)
Assessed in this
Course:
(what the students take
C or higher in ENC 1101 or documented consent of instructor
Ethics 7th Edition
Author: Mackinnon
ISBN: 9780538452830
Copyright Year: 2012
Publisher: Cengage Learning
Students will be required to use a computer and a word processor (such as Microsoft
Word) for emailing assignments. The faculty webpage will be utilized frequently in
this course for communicating classroom information (such as power point slides used
in class).
This course teaches traditional ethical theories and methods of ethical analysis as
applied to several contemporary moral/social problems.
Upon satisfactory completion of this course, students should be able to do the
following:
1. Develop awareness of diverse ethical perspectives:
Discuss different ethical theories such as utilitarianism, Kantian ethics, care ethics,
and virtue ethics. Discuss different social issues such as abortion, euthanasia,
physician assisted suicide, and sexual morality. Discuss the role of moral principles
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with them beyond this
course)
such as beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice in making moral judgments.
2. Apply critical thinking through problem solving:
Discuss the nature and structure of moral reasoning as it applies to particular moral
problems. Distinguish between moral positions that are backed by evidence and
personal emotional reactions. Identify fallacies of moral reasoning such as the slippery
slope and blind conformity. Use different ethical theories to help clarify a moral
problem. In class--as part of class discussion or group activity--argue, analyze,
critique, and/or debate a particular moral position. Write an essay analyzing a moral
problem and/or defending a particular moral position.
3. Demonstrate tolerance for a wide range of global, social and cultural points of view:
Discuss how different principles applied to the same moral issue can generate
alternative ethical perspectives. Discuss the ways in which cultural and religious
perspectives relate to ethical decision making. Demonstrate moral sensitivity to
human welfare by identifying and discussing moral problems in ordinary life contexts.
4. Make use of technology to organize, acquire, and convey information:
Use a computer, a basic computer operating system, and a word-processing program.
Use an e-mail system to send and receive messages. Use the Internet to link to and
download course information. Use the Internet to research and gather information to
form enlightened ethical judgment.
Academic Integrity:
Important Information
for Students with
Disabilities:
Privacy Policy
(FERPA):
The successful functioning of the academic community demands honesty, which is the
basis of respect for both ideas and persons. In the academic community, there is an
ongoing assumption of academic integrity at all levels. There is the expectation that
work will be independently thoughtful and responsible as to its sources of information
and inspiration. Honesty is an appropriate consideration in other ways as well,
including but not limited to the responsible use of library resources, responsible
conduct in examinations, and the responsible use of the Internet. (See college catalog
for complete statement.)
Any student with a documented disability who requires assistance or academic
accommodations should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities immediately
to discuss eligibility. The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) is located on the
Leesburg Campus, but arrangements can be made to meet with a student on any
campus. An appointment can be made by calling 352-365-3589 and specific
information about the OSD and potential services can be found at www.lssc.edu, then
go to “Quick Links” and click on Disability Services.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34
CFR Part99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of a student’s education records.
In order for your information to be released, a form must be signed and in your records
located in the Admissions/Registrar’s Office.
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Attendance /
Withdrawal Policies:
Withdrawal Deadline:
Consistent attendance is absolutely essential for this course. This, of course, will
make available to students the opportunity of class participation, which will be onefifth of the final grade. Withdrawal will follow the LSSC/s policies.
Wed 11/05/14
10% = Participation
15% = Weekly Quizzes
15% = Discussion Forum
30% = Midterm
30% = Final Exam
Participation: 10% of final grade. I reserve the right to deduct a full letter grade from
your final grade due to foul language and poor behavior in the discussion forums.
Inappropriate language and behavior in the online classroom as well as face to face
classroom will not be tolerated. Show respect to both your fellow classmates and your
instructors in all of your courses at whatever college you attend. Your participation
grade will also reflect your lateness on discussions and assignments.
Methods of
Evaluation:
Weekly Quizzes: 15% of final grade (approx. 1% each). Students will take chapter
quizzes online each week. The quizzes will have multiple choice and true/false
questions. You have a maximum of 2 attempts per quiz. The 2nd attempt may only
be taken if the 1st attempt is less than a passing grade of 60% AND you had technical
difficulties while taking the 1st attempt. In this course, quizzes are only a means to
test your knowledge of what you have already learned and are not a medium for
learning. To learn, you need to study the PowerPoint lectures and read your text.
After you complete your quiz, you will only see your score, you will not see the
correct answers to each question since the quiz questions will be re-used on the exams
though you will see the correct answers after completing the exams.
Discussions: 15% of final grade (approx. 1% each). Students will receive points each
week depending upon constructive and productive interaction in discussion forums.
You are expected to post twice to each discussion. Post #1 is your original comment
of 150 words that answers the discussion question due each Wednesday night by
midnight. Post #2 is your 50 word reply to a classmate’s post that is due each Sunday
night by midnight. Those who do not post any comments receive a grade of 0, only 1
comment will receive a grade of 5, and both comments will receive a grade of 6 to 10
depending upon the quality of the posts.
EXAMS: 60% of final grade (30% each). Due to the large amount of material covered
in the book for this class, there will be two fairly large open book exams which will
consist primarily of multiple choice and true/false questions. Again, you only have 2
attempts for exams as with quizzes so make sure your internet connection is strong or
else go to the college and use a free computer to complete them without technical
difficulties. As with quizzes, you may only re-take an exam a 2nd time if your grade
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is less than passing (<60%) and you have technical problems while completing the
exam. If your computer fails during your first attempt, you should use a free computer
on campus for your 2nd attempt to be safe since you will not have a 3rd attempt.
IMPORTANT: Final grades will not be rounded up in this course. Whatever grade
you end up with at the end of the course is your final grade regardless of how close it
may be to the next grade. For example, a final grade of 89.9 is a B not an A. Also,
grades are calculated by percentage NOT points. To calculate your final grade you
will need to multiply the avg per grade category by the percentage listed above for that
category. Since each category is weighted differently, simply adding up all of your
points and dividing by the total possible will not produce your grade for this course.
Grading Scale:
Course Calendar:
Classroom Rules and
Policies:
Violence Statement:
Syllabus Disclaimer:
A= 90 – 100, B = 80 – 89, C = 70-79, D = 60 – 69, F = 50 - 59
TBD
Use only recognized, authoritative sources such as books, news magazines, official
websites—however, absolutely no Wikipedia. Always use appropriate citations in
your manuscript.
Lake-Sumter State College has a policy of zero tolerance for violence as stated in
College Board Rule 2.17. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken in accordance
with Board Rule 2.17.
Information contained in this syllabus is, to the best knowledge of this instructor,
considered correct and complete when distributed to the student. The instructor
reserves the right, acting within policies and procedures of Lake-Sumter State
College, to make necessary changes in course content or instructional techniques
without prior notice or obligation to the student.
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