EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN UNIVERSITY
COURSE OUTLINE
COURSE LEVEL Undergraduate
SEMESTER
OFFERED
COURSE CODE
PSYC360
COURSE TITLE
Ethical Development: Theory and Empirical Evidence
COURSE TYPE
Area Elective
LECTURER(S)
Mehmet M. Erginel
Office: AS 217 Office phone: 2416
Office Hours: Wed. 13:30-14:20, Thurs. 14:30-15:20, Fri. 14:30-15:20
E-mail: mehmet.erginel@emu.edu.tr
CREDIT VALUE
3
PREREQUISITES
None
ECTS VALUE
2014-2015
Fall
Semester
6
COREQUISITES
None
DURATION OF COURSE One Semester
WEB LINK
My website: http://brahms.emu.edu.tr/merginel/
Facebook for my students: http://www.facebook.com/phil.emu
EMU Open Courseware: http://opencourses.emu.edu.tr/
AIMS
This is an interdisciplinary course that brings together Ethics (a branch of Philosophy), Developmental
Psychology (a branch of Psychology), and other disciplines that may be considered relevant. It aims to examine
critically the theories of ethical development that philosophers put forward as parts of their ethical theories. We
will examine the ethical and developmental theories of such philosophers as Plato and Aristotle and
contemporary discussions of their views. We will then examine the evidence for, or against various empirical
claims and/or assumptions made within these theories. Students will be expected to play an active role in
identifying empirical claims and/or assumptions in theories of ethical development, and investigating the
relevant empirical evidence.
GENERAL LEARNING OUTCOMES (COMPETENCES)
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
 Explain some of the main views in ethical development
 Identify psychological claims/assumptions within theories of ethical development
 Discuss the empirical evidence that is relevant to theories of ethical development
 Apply critical thinking, by showing that they can respond critically to issues, form and articulate
opinions as well as justify them in both the written and spoken medium
 Exhibit academic honesty and avoid plagiarism of all sorts
RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER COURSES
This course is meant to provide the students with philosophical and theoretical tools that can be applied in their
other courses as well. The ability to argue for their views in a clear way will also benefit them throughout their
undergraduate education. Students are also expected to develop the ability to consider the ethical implications
of issues raised in other courses
LEARNING / TEACHING METHOD
This course will be conducted primarily through a combination of lectures and classroom discussion. Students
will also be expected to engage in self-directed learning through homework requiring research.
ASSIGNMENTS
Homework/projects requiring research
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Quiz: 10%
Project/Presentation: 20%
Midterm: 30%
Final: 40%
There will also be 5 points of extra credit for classroom participation.
ATTENDANCE
According to EMU Regulations for Education, Examinations, and Success, students who fail to meet the
required level of attendance and/or do not fulfill the requirements for the evaluation of the course are given the
“NG” grade by the course Instructor. For further information please refer to EMU Rules and Regulations
http://mevzuat.emu.edu.tr/.
TEXTBOOK/S
A course packet will be made available.
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EXTENDED READING LIST
Further reading materials may be assigned during the semester.
TENTATIVE CONTENT & SCHEDULE
Group 1: Mon. 14:30-16:20, Wed. 14:30-15:20
WEEK
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2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9-10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17-18
DATE
Oct. 13
Oct. 20
Oct. 27
Nov. 3
Nov. 10
Nov. 17
Nov. 11
Nov. 24
Nov. 28-Dec. 9
Dec. 10
Dec. 15
Dec. 22
Dec. 29
Jan. 5
Jan. 12
19-31 Jan.
TOPICS
Introduction and orientation
Virtue Ethics and character education
Alternative approaches to moral education
Plato, Republic II & III
Research on music and literature in education
Plato, Republic IV
Research on well-being and psychological health
Plato, Republic V, VII
Midterm Exam Period
Research on attachment, communal living, and male/female abilities
Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics I
Research on constituents of well-being
Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics II
Research on habituation and conditioning
Research on character
Final Exam Period
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
Academic dishonesty refers to any form of misrepresentation of student abilities, including, but not limited to,
cheating on exams, plagiarism, and submitting work that has been composed, translated and/or substantially
edited by someone else. Please refer to the Eastern Mediterranean University web site for a complete
description of the Regulations for Student Discipline (http://mevzuat.emu.edu.tr/).
MAKE-UP POLICY
 There will be no make-up options for the in-class assignments.
 There will be no make-up options for the quizzes.
 After the final exam there will be a make-up exam, for people who missed either the midterm exam or
the final exam with legitimate and documented excuses. In order to be able to take the cumulative
make-up exam, valid documentation should be provided to the Psychology Department Administration
within 3 days of the scheduled exam that is missed. It is students’ responsibility to check with the
Psychology department for the make-up schedule.
ASSIGNMENT DEADLINES
No extensions will be granted on assignment deadlines. Late work will not be accepted.
CLASSROOM POLICIES
Students must come to class on time – coming in late is disruptive and will not be tolerated. All requests for
grade re-evaluations on exams, quizzes and class assignments must be made within three days after grades
are announced. No grade changes will be made based on personal reasons. Please refer to the Psychology
Department web site for a complete description of classroom policies.
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