Jennifer Bayne Lemma
Rm. 111
jennifer.baynelemma@wwcc.edu
Office Hours: Friday, 11:30-12:30 and by appointment
Philosophy 131
Ethics
Spring 2013
Rm. 121
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.
How it Works
The course has four major components: lectures, in-class study questions, take-home question
responses, and a final exam. There will also be a mid-term quiz. The class is built around a
435-point scale.
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 two quotes
from the textbook readings unless otherwise indicated.
Late work is not accepted.
However, you may drop two in-class questions and one take home question without penalty.
The final exam will be worth 60 points. It is a combination of multiple choice, true and false
and essay questions. It is a cumulative exam, covering the entire course.
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.
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
to write an extra credit paper.
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
Topic/Philosopher Readings/Questions/Assignments
4/1
Introduction: Ethics,
Cultural Relativism,
Absolutes
Introduction/Plato
Plato
Plato/Social Contract
Theory/ Hobbes
Plato/Social Contract
Theory/Hobbes
Syllabus Review; Assign. p. ix-xiv
4/8
4/9
4/10
4/11
4/12
Aristotle/Virtue Theory
Aristotle/Virtue Theory
Stoicism
Epictetus; The Stoics
The Stoics; Col. John
Stockdale
Assign. p. 80-84 (Aristotle)
Question #3
Assign. p. 85-106 (Epictetus)
Question #4
Take Home Question #2
4/15
Epicurus
4/16
4/17
4/18
4/19
Augustine
Aquinas
Kant
Kant
Question #5; Assign. p. 107-109; p. 116-118
(Augustine)
Assign. p. 119-124 (Aquinas)
Assign. p. 188-190 (Kant)
Question #6; Assign. p. 201-213 (Kant)
Take Home Question #3 Assign. p. 213-224
(Kant)
4/22
4/23
4/24
4/25
Kant
Kierkegaard
Kierkegaard
Kierkegaard;
Existentialism
Sartre; The Self and
Other; DeBeauvoir
Question #7
Assign. p. 299-305
Hallie
Hallie/Buber
Guest Lecturer
Question #9
4/2
4/3
4/4
4/5
4/26
4/29
4/30
5/01
Assign. p. 3-5; 38-42Question #1
Question #2; Assign. p. 134-143 (Hobbes)
Take Home Question #1Assign. p. 43-45; p.
66-72 (Aristotle);
Question #8 Assign. 328-332 (Sartre)
Take Home Question #4; Assign. p. 333-349
(Hallie)
5/02
5/03
Lecture/King Discussion
TBD
Take Home Question #5; Assign. p. 356-377
TBD
5/06
5/07
Mid-term Quiz
Coles/Integrity of the
individual
General
Lecture/Discussion
General
Lecture/Discussion
Rawls
Mid-Term Quiz
Assign. p. 350-355 (Coles)
Lecture on
Culture/Custom
No Class Advising Day
MacIntyre
General
Lecture/Discussion on
Epigenetics
General
Lecture/Discussion
Assign. p. 396-423 (MacIntyre)
Noddings
No Class
Noddings and Feminist
Ethics; Motherhood
Levinas, Nussbaum, and
Reciprocity
Leopold
Question #13
No Class
No Class Memorial Day
Leopold/Environmental
Ethics
Economic Ethics
Singer
General
Lecture/Discussion
No Class Memorial Day
General
Lecture/Discussion
Regan
Question #17; Assign. p. 530-544 (Regan)
5/08
5/09
5/10
5/13
5/14
5/15
5/16
5/17
5/20
5/21
5/22
5/23
5/24
5/27
5/28
5/29
5/30
5/31
6/3
6/4
Question #10; Assign. p. 322-327 (Midgely)
Take Home Question #6; Assign. p. 378-395
Question #11
No Class Advising Day
Take Home Question #7
Question #12
Assign. p. 424-444 (Noddings)
Question #14
Take Home Question #8; Assign. p. 486-305
(Leopold)
Question #15; Assign. p. 506-529 (Singer)
Question #16
Take Home Question #9
Take Home Question #10; Assign. p. 545-566
6/5
6/6
6/7
Walzer
General
Lecture/Discussion
Review for the Final
6/10
6/11
6/12
6/13
6/14
Review for Final
Review for Final
No Class
No Class
Final Exam
Question #18
Question #19
Question #20
Exams begin
Exams continue
9:30-11:30
In Class Questions: 20 at 10 points each
= 200 points
Take Home Questions: 10 at 15 points each
= 150 points
Mid-Term Quiz
= 25 points
Final Exam: 60 points
= 60 points
------------------
Total Points Available
435 points
Grading Scale:
94 + = A
73 = C
90 = A-
70 = C-
87 = B+
67 = D+
83 = B
60 = D
80 = B-
59 = F
77 = C+