Arts & Philosophy Department – West Campus
Course Syllabus: PHI 2604 – Critical Thinking and Ethics
Term: 16 Week Syllabus
Instructor
Professor Anthony D’ascoli
Phone
786-501-7064
Office Hours
As per schedule on syllabus
Class
Scheduled time
Email
adascoli@mdc.edu
Website
www.dascolihum.com
What is a syllabus?
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A contract between the student and the instructor
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A written guide and orientation to the course and its expectations
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A written document of the policies and procedures relative to the course
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MDC Mission Statement
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The Mission of Miami Dade College is to change lives through the opportunity of education.
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As democracy’s college, MDC provides high-quality teaching and learning experiences that are
accessible and affordable to meet the needs of our diverse students and prepare them to be responsible
global citizens and successful lifelong learners. The College embraces its responsibility to serve as an
economic, cultural and civic beacon in our community.
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Course Description
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This is a foundation course in philosophy. Students will learn critical thinking skills and
study major theories of ethics. Students will use methods of effective reasoning to reflect critically
on their values, ethical standards and the ethical permissibility of topics such as euthanasia, animal
rights and environmental ethics.
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Prerequisite: ENC 1101
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Gordon Rule class
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3 Credits
Course Objectives
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The student will demonstrate knowledge of basic terminology associated with philosophy
by classifying and/or correctly using philosophical vocabulary.
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The student will demonstrate a comprehension of theories held by major philosophers by
classifying them in relationship to their philosophy.
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The student will demonstrate knowledge of the criteria which can be used to evaluate the
validity of philosophical arguments by identifying underlying values and the logical structure of
arguments.
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The student will demonstrate knowledge of basic philosophical ideas by identifying the
theories of important historical and contemporary philosophers.
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The student will demonstrate comprehension of basic philosophical ideas by explaining
philosophies in their own words.
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The student will demonstrate the ability to analyze the relationship of philosophical
positions by comparing and contrasting them.
Miami Dade Learning Outcomes
As graduates of Miami Dade College, students will be able to:
1.
Communicate effectively using listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
2.
Use quantitative analytical skills to evaluate and process numerical data.
3.
Solve problems using critical and creative thinking and scientific reasoning.
4.
Formulate strategies to locate, evaluate, and apply information.
5.
Demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultures, including global and historical perspectives.
6.
Create strategies that can be used to fulfill personal, civic, and social responsibilities.
7.
Demonstrate knowledge of ethical thinking and its application to issues in society.
8.
Use computer and emerging technologies effectively.
9.
Demonstrate an appreciation for aesthetics and creative activities.
10.
Describe how natural systems function and recognize the impact of humans on the
environment.
Introduction to course:
I look forward to a challenging and thought provoking semester. Please keep in mind that the
subject matter covered in this class requires extensive and concentrated readings and writings
throughout the semester and focused research as assigned. It is not enough to just attend lectures
and participate now and then. Students must be ready to do the readings, classwork and the
homework in a serious and committed manner. Science and its relationship with philosophy will
be given a fair amount of time. The intricate and often intimate relationship between the other
disciplines as well as modern research in DNA and contemporary discoveries in archeology will
also be examined for interdisciplinary relevancy and meaning in our quest for understanding the
nature of self and our place in the scheme of things. The main requirement for this course is a
sincere desire for knowledge and a love of the search. Philosophy is focused on reason and logic,
so emotional opinions (though wonderful) serve little purpose in this course. If you are of a
sensitive nature in regards to matters of usually touchy subjects such as race, sexuality,
politics and religion, then I would suggest you examine yourself closely before taking this
course. This course discusses all these areas in a logical, rational manner and as such I
would suggest those who are easily offended take another humanities course (i.e. Music
Appreciation, Art Appreciation, etc.).
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Textbook and course requirements:
884534
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ISBN: 9781259675188
Title: Think (w/Cnct Access)
 Author: Boss
 Copyright Year: 2015
 Edition: 3rd
 Publisher: McGraw-Hill
For textbook rental, see the link below
http://www.mdc.edu/main/save/rentabook.aspx
Access to internet for additional readings.
Academic Lab Hours (English and Math):
M, T, W, R – 8:00AM – 9:00PM; F-8:00 AM – 4:30PM; S 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Attendance Policy:
In order to succeed in this course, students are required to attend each class ON TIME and
participate in the discussions.
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Missing more than 2 classes will directly affect your participation grade. Any absences
must be excused in order to turn in make-up work or late work.
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Missing the first 2 classes will get you automatically withdrawn.
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Missing 3 classes in a row will get you automatically withdrawn
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Missing more than 5 classes will drop you from the course
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Habitual tardies will be treated as absences
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Failure to attend 3 classes in a row without written notification and documented evidence
as to the valid reason (to be determined by the professor), will result in automatic withdrawal. If
this happens after the W date, then you will receive an F for this class. Please be responsible and
advise your instructor if something comes up. Anyone with 5 or more cumulative absences will
also be automatically withdrawn. Imagine if you will having the same attendance issues with
your work.5 absences in 16 weeks would not keep your job and it will not keep your class.
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Plagiarism Policy:
Please make yourselves aware of the student policy 4035 on academic dishonesty found on page
18 : http://www.mdc.edu/policy/student_rights_and_responsibilities.pdf
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A student who intentionally plagiarizes will receive an F on the course
A student who accidentally plagiarizes will receive an F on the assignment or be asked to
re-submit if the offense is not flagrant
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Assessment:
The final grade for this course will generally be determined as follows:
Presentation: 15%
Final Essay: 20%
Quizzes (5): 25%
Journals (4): 20%
Class participation/discussion/attendance: 20%
Additionally, there will be extra credit opportunities during the semester.
1. Final Essay Paper:
Essay topics will be chosen by the students and approved by the instructor 4 weeks prior to the due date.
They will involve summarizing and analyzing a reading or set of readings and developing or defending
your own position.
The papers should be handed in at the beginning of the class period on the due date.
In general, unless the student can provide a documented excuse, late paper assignments will not be
accepted.
Papers must be double-spaced, in a folder and paper clipped.
Students should keep copies of all papers.
2. Journals:
There will be four (4) journals for this course. In general, unless a student can provide a justifiable and
documented reason for missing the journal deadline, she or he will not be able to turn in a ‘make up’
journal. These are hand written (not typed) assignments on the readings and topics covered that section in
class.
3. Course Participation/Discussions:
Class participation grades are primarily based on the frequency and quality of a student’s in-class
comments and questions. Additionally, there will be discussions on specific topics to be given that week
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by the instructor. Students will be required to analyze the topic together (in small groups) and then with
the instructor. Frequent absences and/or lateness will be considered in calculating final course grades.
4. Quizzes:
There will be five (5) quizzes on the assigned home reading requirements. These will be take home
quizzes that will determine that the material was read and understood. You will be writing brief essays for
these quizzes on the work that is being read and discussed. These quizzes, if done properly can lead to the
introduction and development of the larger midterm and final papers. Quizzes will be due on the last class
meeting of the week they were assigned. Quizzes may be turned in late, but they will be for a lower grade
and will be expected to be superior to those turned in on time.
5. Presentation
There will be one presentation required of each student on a day assigned by the professor (usually during
midterm week). The outline of the presentation should be handed in one week prior to the due date at the
beginning of the class period. You cannot miss your presentation date, unless you have documented proof
that you could not make it that day. In general, unless the student can provide a documented excuse, late
assignments are not accepted. Each student will present a 10-15 minute power point presentation with
slides, photos, charts and evidence that supports their stance on an issue that is either discussed in class,
the text or from an acceptable outside source.
Withdrawal:
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If you feel that you will be unable to complete the requirements for passing this class, you have
the option to withdraw from the class by the College’s “drop date”. However, there are consequences of
which you need to be aware if you drop a class or stop attending and you should always speak to your
instructor or an advisor first. For example, you must earn at least two-thirds or 67% of the total credits
for which you have registered and that failure to comply with this requirement will adversely impact your
financial aid status with MDC. If after considering the possible consequences, you still opt drop the class,
keep in mind that it is your responsibility to do so (not the instructor’s) and failure to withdraw will result
in you earning a grade of “F” for the course you stop attending.
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If extenuating circumstances (e.g., illness, accident, change in employment situation, etc.) prevent
you from continuing to attend your class before the drop date, speak to your instructor first and if needed,
to the Chairperson to assess your options.
Additional Course requirements and expectations:
Keep up with the reading. Students are expected to come to class having done the assigned reading. If you
think that you couldn’t explain some aspect of the reading, raise a question about the issue in class.
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NOTE: you will not have to read entire chapter(s) or novels, I will tell you in class which parts to read for
the upcoming week.
Document your sources. It is very important that you document the claims that you make about the views
you say each author holds. You can use either footnotes or parenthetical references in the text. Give page
references for direct quotations; and indicate what set of pages you are summarizing even if you are not
directly quoting anything. Failure to acknowledge sources is plagiarism and is a serious offense. In
most cases you will, at a minimum, fail the course. The principle here is: you cannot cheat on a
course and be allowed to pass it.
Keep track of the schedule. Every effort will be made to follow precisely the course outline as specified
below. Nonetheless, changes may be necessary. It is your responsibility to keep up-to-date on any
changes.
Respect. Philosophy places special emphasis on argumentation. However, what philosophers mean by
argumentation is primarily the activity of providing and listening to reasons. The emphasis on argument is
certainly no excuse for rudeness, even if one is in strong disagreement with another person’s perspective.
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Disabilities: Students should contact ACCESS: www.mdc.edu/wolfson/student/access/
Learning Outcomes: http://www.mdc.edu/learningoutcomes/
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (subject to change if a topic seems to interest the class more we may
spend more time or less time on each area):
Week 1 – Introduction to class. Classroom etiquette, expectations. Defining key terms – defining proper
argument techniques. Introduction to Ethics and ethical terminology/types. Go over presentation rules
and requirements. Aristotle/Bentham/Mill/Kant/Rawls/Locke/Noddings/Nhat Hanh. Chapter 1. Selected
Readings and handouts in class.
Week 2 – Moral Theories - Aristotle/Bentham/Mill/Kant/Rawls/Locke/Noddings/Nhat Hanh/Confucius.
Chapter 1. Selected Readings Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics and handouts in class. Choose topic for
presentation/debate. Quiz 1 due Week 3 on Divine Command Theory or Aristotle.
Week 3 – The Morality Debate on Abortion – History of Abortion/Abortion and Law/Abortion and
Religion/Methods. Chapter 2. Selected Readings Mills’ Utilitarianism and handouts in class for Quiz 2
on Week 5. Presentations. Quiz 1 due this week!
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Week 4 – The Morality Debate on Genetics, Cloning, Stem Cell Research – History of Genetics/Human
Genome/Genetic Engineering/Cloning/Stem Cell Research – Chapter 3. Selected Readings by Joseph
Butler and handouts in class. Presentations. Quiz 2 Due Week 5 on Utilitarianism. Journal 1 Due on
Intro to Morality, Moral Theories, Abortion theories, or readings.
Week 5 – The Morality of Euthanasia. Definition/Debate over the Issue/Philosophical
Perspective/Euthanasia and Law/Hospice/Physician Assisted Suicide – Chapter 4. Kant’s Groundwork
for Quiz 3 on Week 7. Selected Readings by Bentham, Nussbaum and Rawls and handouts in class.
Presentations. Quiz 2 due this week!
Week 6 – The Morality of the Death Penalty. History of Death Penalty/Juveniles/Medical
Executions/DNA Testing/Philosophical Perspective – Chapter 5. Selected Readings by Gilligan & Rorty
and handouts in class. Presentations start week 7. Quiz 3 due week 7 on Kantianism.
Week 7 – The Morality of Drug and Alcohol Use. History of Drugs and Alcohol/Legal and Illegal/Sports
Drugs/Addiction/Philosophical Perspective – Chapter 6. Selected Readings by Hobbes and Plato and
handouts in class for Quiz 4 on Week 11. Presentations begin. Quiz 3 due this week!
Week 8 – Presentations. Journal 2 on Euthanasia, Death Penalty, Drugs & Alcohol or readings.
Selected readings by Annette Baier and Plato. Presentations continue.
Week 9 – The Morality of Free Speech. Define Freedom of Speech/Limits/First
Amendment/Cyberspace/Pornography/Hate Speech/Philosophical Perspective – Chapter 7. Selected
Readings by Marcus Aurelius, William James, & James Dewey and handouts in class. Quiz 4 on
Stoicism, Pragmatism Due Week 11.
Week 10 – Open Topic Week – Possibly chapters 8 or 9 but we will let class decide. Class will decide on
readings and discussions on any moral or ethical topic. Selected Readings and handouts in class. Journal
3 on Genetics & Free Speech or readings. Quiz 4 due next week on Stoicism, Pragmatism.
Week 11 – The Morality of Global Justice. Defining Key Terms. Globalization/Colonialism/Immigration.
Imperialism/Philosophical Perspective. – Chapter 10. Selected Readings by Bhabha, Anzaldua and
Derrida 5 and handouts in class. Quiz 5 on postmodern ethics, feminist ethics due Week 13. Quiz 4
due this week!
Week 12 – The Morality of Racism. Defining of Terms. Philosophical Perspective. Roots of American
Racism. Moral Issues. The Race Card. Affirmative Action. – Chapter 10. Quiz 5 due next week, Week 13
on postmodernism and feminist ethics.
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Week 13 – The Morality of War and Terrorism. Philosophical Perspective. Just War Tradition/Weapons
of Mass Destruction/Pacifism/Conscription/Guerrilla Tactics/Suicide or Homicide Bombers? – Chapter
11. Quiz 5 due this week!
Week 14 – The Morality of Animal Rights. Meat is Murder. Philosophical Perspectives. Legal Status of
Non-Human Animals/Animal Farming/Vegetarianism/Animal Experimentation. Chapter 12.
Presentations. Journal (4) Four on Globalism, racism, animal rights, war or readings due Week 15.
Week 15- The Morality of Environmental Ethics. Philosophical Perspectives. Legal Status of the
Environment. Environmental Degradation. Global Warming/Climate Change. Value of the Environment.
Chapter 12.
Week 16 – Final Paper due!/Make up Presentations (with justified excused absence).
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