Heartland Community College
Humanities & Fine Arts
Course Syllabus for Students
Spring Semester 2011
Course Prefix and Number: PHIL 114 (Section 01)
Course Title: Ethics
Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Laboratory Hours: 0
Class Meetings: Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:30pm until 2:45pm in room 1710 ICB.
Catalog Description:
An introduction to the study of moral philosophy. This course will provide an introductory historical
survey of the major ethical systems and will consider their application to contemporary moral problems.
Instructor Information:
Name: Steve Zusman
Phone: (309) 268-8628 (Humanities Office)
E-mail address: Steve.Zusman@heartland.edu
Office: 2000 ICB Adjunct Office
Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment
Required Textbook:
Doing Ethics: Moral Reasoning and Contemporary Issues, Second Edition by Lewis Vaughn (W. W.
Norton: 2010. ISBN: 9780393934281)
Relationship to Academic Development Programs and Transfer:
PHIL 114 fulfills 3 of the 9 semester hours of credit in Humanities/Fine Arts required for the A.A. or
A.S. degree. It satisfies the Humanities component of this requirement. PHIL 114 should transfer to
other Illinois colleges and universities as the equivalent of the General Education Core Curriculum
course H4 904, described in the Illinois Articulation Initiative. However, students should consult an
academic advisor for transfer information regarding particular institutions. Refer to the IAI web page
for information as well at www.itransfer.org
Course Objectives (Learning Outcomes):
After completing this course you should be able to:
1. Distinguish various ethical theories and recognize the ethical theory embodied in any particular work
of moral philosophy.
2. Identify and appraise some of the most important problems and concepts from the history of ethical
theory (P1).
3. Outline the historical development of moral philosophy, matching important works with the
philosophers who wrote them and important beliefs with the philosophers who held them (D5).
4. Analyze critically the extent that a philosopher's identity and assumptions influence his or her
perspective or beliefs (D4).
5. Improve your ability to aptly interpret difficult texts in moral philosophy and support those
interpretations with reasoned arguments (C7).
6. Define the main moral problems or dilemmas posed by current practices in the field of applied ethics
(P2).
7. Explore the effectiveness with which various ethical theories can be utilized to design solutions to
contemporary problems in applied ethics (P3,P4,P5,P6).
8. Demonstrate awareness of the effects of various social practices on diverse populations in our society
(D1).
9. Appreciate the importance of cultural values, assumptions, and practical considerations that may
weigh in favor of various perspectives on a moral problem--not just the perspective the student prefers
(D2,D4).
10. Exhibit responsibility for your learning by participating in critical and creative dialogues about
ethical theory and social issues, synthesizing diverse sources and arguments (D6,C7).
11. Demonstrate the ability to write critically and analytically about ethical theory and social issues,
supporting opinions with arguments, evidence, and reasoning (C3).
Course Outline:
1. Virtue Theory
2. Deontological and Utilitarian Ethical Theories
3. Social Contract Theory and Contemporary Liberalism
4. Feminist Theory
5. Social Issue: Abortion
6. Social Issue: Punishment and the Death Penalty
7. Social Issue: Affirmative Action
Method of Evaluation:
There will be three in-class examinations. Exams will consist of both “objective” questions (true-false,
multiple choice, and matching) and essay questions.
Required Writing and Reading:
Required writing will take the form of two position papers of 2-3 pages in length and one longer critical
paper of 6-8 pages in length. Required reading will be from the textbook and from outside sources.
The Final Grade Will Be Calculated As Follows:
First Exam = 150 points (or 15%)
Second Exam = 150 points (or 15%)
Third Exam = 200 points (or 20%)
Position Paper One = 100 (or 10%)
Position Paper Two = 100 (or 10%)
Critical Paper = 200 points (or 20%)
Attendance/Participation = 100 points (10%)
Extra Credit = 20 points maximum (2%)
Grading Policy:
The grading system will be as follows:
A=90-100% B=80-89%
C=70-79%
D=60-69%
F= Below 60%
Attendance/Participation:
Class participation is expected and attendance is required. It is expected that everyone will attend
every class and will show up on time. Although much of what is covered will come from the textbook,
some of the testable material will come only from the in-class lecture/discussion. You will have three
excused absences (no questions asked, so there is no need to email me in advance of any absence).
Beyond these three, there is no way to make up an absence. For each non-exam class that you arrive on
time and remain for the entire class, you will earn three points. If you arrive after attendance has been
taken or leave early, you will earn either one or two points for that day, depending on how long you are
present. Attendance in total is worth eighty-four points. Participation will make up the remaining
sixteen points. If you plan on missing a significant number of class days, you should consider taking
another course.
Extra Credit:
You will have the option of earning extra credit up to a maximum of 20 points. Extra credit may be
earned by explicitly applying one of the ethical theories we discussed in class (e.g. utilitarianism, Kant,
etc.) to a contemporary issue. In order to earn this extra credit, you must find and submit either a
newspaper article or an internet article of a modern ethical issue along with a commentary you compose
that defends your position on the issue and explains how a philosophical view discussed in class is
relevant to the article. Each submission should be approximately two pages in length (one page should
be a detailed background of the ethical theory and the second page should be your commentary, defense,
and application) and is worth a maximum of 10 points. There is no limit to the number of submissions
you may turn in (although you should not use a unique ethical theory more than once). I am also open to
your own ideas for extra credit projects, but in order to earn any credit on an original project, you must
have it approved by me in advance (you need not get my approval for the newspaper or internet article
extra credit). Extra credit will be accepted until Monday, April 25 at 1:30pm.
Deadlines:
Failing to turn in an assignment or attend an exam at the appropriate time, date, and place (without prior
permission to do otherwise) will result in a loss of points and may result in a zero.
Incompletes:
I follow the official college policy, as found in the College Catalog: “An incomplete grade may be
given to a student who, by the withdrawal date, can reasonably be expected to pass the course.
Incompletes may be granted only when justified by extreme circumstances (e.g. serious illness, accident,
death or serious illness in the immediate family).”
Notice of Cancelled Class Sessions:
Cancelled class sessions, for all HCC classes, will be listed under Cancelled Class Meetings in the A-Z
Index and under Academic Information in the Current Students page on the HCC Web site. Go to
http://www.heartland.edu/classCancellations/ to learn what classes have been cancelled for that day and
the upcoming week. Be sure to check the last column, which might contain a message from the
instructor.
Disability Statement:
If you need assistance with a documented learning, physical, or psychological disability that may affect
your academic progress, I encourage you to contact Anita Moore in the Office for Disability Support
Services in CCB 1004. You can contact her either by email (anita.moore@heartland.edu ) or by phone
(309-268-8029). I would be happy to work with you to provide reasonable accommodations.
Academic Integrity:
Academic integrity is a fundamental principle of collegial life at Heartland Community College and is
essential to the credibility of the College’s educational programs. Moreover, because grading may be
competitive, students who misrepresent their academic work violate the right of their fellow students.
The College, therefore, views any act of academic dishonest as a serious offense requiring disciplinary
measures, including course failure, suspension, and even expulsion from the College. In addition, an act
of academic dishonesty may have unforeseen effects far beyond any officially imposed penalties.
Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to cheating, aiding or suborning
cheating or other acts of academic dishonesty, plagiarism, misrepresentation of data, falsification of
academic records or documents and unauthorized access to computerized academic or administrative
records or systems. Definitions of these violations may be found in the college catalog.
Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is the presenting of others’ ideas as if they were your own. When you write a paper, create a
project, do a presentation or create anything original, it is assumed that all the work, except for that
which is attributed to another author or creator, is your own. Plagiarism is considered a serious
academic offense and may take the following forms:
1. Copying word-for-word from another source and not giving that source credit.
2. Paraphrasing the work of another and not giving that source credit.
3. Adopting a particularly apt phrase as your own.
4. Using an image or a copy of an image without crediting its source.
5. Paraphrasing someone else’s line of thinking in the development of a topic as if it were your own.
6. Receiving excessive help from a friend or elsewhere, or using another project as if it were your own.
Note that word-for-word copying is not the only form of plagiarism.
The penalties for plagiarism may be severe, ranging from failure on the particular piece of work, failure
in the course or expulsion from school in extreme cases.
[Adapted from the Modern Language Association’s MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. New York: MLA, 1995: 26]
SUPPORT SERVICES
Heartland Library and Computer Resources Information:
The Library, located in the Students Commons Buildings at the Raab Road campus, provides Heartland
students with a full range of resources including books, online journal databases, videos, newspapers,
periodicals, reserves, and interlibrary loan. Librarians are available to assist in locating information.
Within the Library is the Open Computing Lab, which provides free computing for HCC students at
convenient times throughout the week (including weekends). The computer lab is staffed by trained Lab
Assistants and offers the use of approximately 70 computers, a scanner, a laser printer, and an electric
typewriter. For more information please call the Library (309) 268-8200 or (309) 268-8292
Tutoring Center:
Heartland Community College offers tutoring in various forms at no cost to Heartland students at the
Academic Support Center (ASC) in Normal and at the Pontiac and Lincoln Centers. Tutors are
available at convenient times throughout the week. Study groups, group tutoring facilitated by a
specially-trained tutor, are also available by request. For more information about services available at
each location, please call the ASC in Normal (309) 268-8231; the Pontiac Center (815) 842-6777; the
Lincoln Center (217) 735-1731.
Testing Services:
Testing Services provides a secure testing environment for students who are enrolled in online, hybrid,
and other distance learning courses, have a documented disability, or need to take a make-up exam.
Testing accommodations for students having documented disabilities must be arranged by the student
through the Office of Disability Services, and Testing Services will only administer make-up exams at
the request of the instructor. Contact Testing Services at (309) 268-8050 for more information.
DISCLAIMER AND SUGGESTIONS
Syllabus disclaimer:
The instructor reserves the right to change any and all assignments, rules, or requirements in this class
without prior notice. Students will be notified of any changes in assignments, rules, or requirements at
the earliest possible moment.
Student Identification Cards:
All students registered for this course must have a valid Heartland Student ID Card. These can be
obtained at the Academic Support Center in the Student Commons Building (SCB). You must bring
with a photo ID and your student ID# to be issued a card. There is no charge.
Computers and Electronics:
The use of electronic equipment in the classroom, including but not limited to laptop computers and cell
phones, is strictly prohibited. This is a matter of courtesy both to the instructor as well as your fellow
students who may be distracted by multiple media during lecture. Special requests for legitimate
academic purposes must be pre-approved.
Advisory:
You may encounter strange and unusual ideas, slides, and language in this course. You may hear ideas
and language, see pictures and images, and be asked to think about ideas, all of which might offend you.
Due to the course’s format, issues of religion, gender, sexuality, pornography, class, race, etc. may be
presented and discussed.
Suggestions for Success:
*Attend every class, be on time, and carefully read the assignment before class.
*Take detailed notes during class lecture and discussion as I will not be posting any of the material I
present during class. If you must miss a class you should make arrangement to see me or photocopy
the notes of a classmate.
*If you have any problems or difficulties regarding any aspect of this course, do not hesitate to see me at
once (the sooner the better).
*Have fun! This is philosophy after all. 
COURSE CALENDAR
All readings refer to page numbers from Lewis Vaughn’s Doing Ethics: Moral Reasoning and
Contemporary Issues, Second Edition. You are responsible for doing the readings for a given day
before the beginning of class for that day. Please note that readings, due dates, and assignments are
all subject to change with only in-class notification.
Course Introduction and Introduction to Ethics
M (1-10) Ethics and the Examined Life (pp. 3-8)
The Power of Moral Theories (pp. 65-74)
Logic and Moral Reasoning
W (1-12) Evaluating Moral Arguments (pp. 43-61)
M (1-17) Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: No Class
Subjectivism and Relativism
W (1-19) Subjectivism and Relativism (pp. 22-33)
From Ruth Benedict’s “Anthropology and the Abnormal” (pp. 34-37)
Mary Midgley’s “Trying Out One’s New Sword” (pp. 37-40)
Divine Command Theory
M (1-24) Religion and Morality (pp. 9-12)
From Plato’s The Euthyphro (pp. 16-19)
From Daniel C. Dennett’s “Common-Sense Religion” (pp. 19-21)
Ethical Egoism
W (1-26) Ethical Egoism (pp. 76-82)
Utilitarianism
M (1-31) Utilitarianism (pp. 82-93)
W (2-2) From John Stuart Mill’s Utilitarianism (pp. 94-99)
Kant’s Ethics
M (2-7) Kant’s Ethics (pp. 100-107)
W (2-9) From Kant’s Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysics of Morals (pp. 114-122)
Capital Punishment
M (2-14) Capital Punishment (pp. 291-301)
Ernest van den Haag’s “The Ultimate Punishment: A Defense” (pp. 301-305)
From Jeffrey H. Reiman’s “Justice, Civilization, and the Death Penalty: Answering van
den Haag” (read only part “II” pp. 309-310)
Position Paper One due by 1:30pm
W (2-16) EXAM ONE
Theories of Justice
M (2-21) Global Economic Justice (pp. 757-764)
From John Rawls’ A Theory of Justice (“The Main Idea of the Theory of Justice” pp. 765-767)
From Robert Nozick’s Anarchy, State, and Utopia (“The Entitlement Theory” pp. 771-772)
Organ Transplantation
W (2-23) Organ Transplantation (p. 88 last paragraph “example” and p. 92 “Critical Thought”)
Equality and Affirmative Action
M (2-28) Equality and Affirmative Action (pp. 451-459)
Louis P. Pojman’s “The Case Against Affirmative Action” (pp. 467-479)
Scott Plous’ “Ten Myths about Affirmative Action” (pp. 479-482)
Natural Law Theory
W (3-2) Natural Law Theory (pp. 107-113)
Spring Break: No Class
War, Terrorism, and Torture
M (3-14) Warfare (pp. 608-616)
Terrorism and Torture (pp. 680-691)
Sexual Morality and Marriage
W (3-16) Sexual Morality and Marriage (pp. 405-410)
Feminist and Existentialist Ethics
M (3-21) The Ethics of Care (p. 139)
Annette C. Baier’s “The Need for More Than Justice” (pp. 150-158)
W (3-23) Sartre and Existentialism; Hannah Arendt’s “French Existentialism” (Search “French
Existentialism” in “Points of View: Reference Center”)
M (3-28) Simone de Beauvoir; From Judith Butler’s “Sex and Gender in Simone de Beauvoir’s Second
Sex,” pp. 35-37 (JSTOR: http://www.heartland.edu:2079/stable/2930225)
Position Paper Two due by 1:30pm
W (3-30) EXAM TWO
Virtue Ethics
M (4-4) Virtue Ethics (pp. 134-139 and p. 140)
W (4-6) From Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics (pp. 142-150)
Last Day to Withdrawal from Course with “WX” Grade: Thursday, April 7
Abortion
M (4-11) Abortion (pp. 161-173)
Mary Anne Warren’s “On the Moral and Legal Status of Abortion” (pp. 183-192)
Don Marquis’ “Why Abortion Is Immoral” (pp. 192-204)
W (4-13) Judith Jarvis Thomson’s “A Defense of Abortion” (pp. 173-183)
Pornography and Censorship
M (4-18) From John Stuart Mill’s On Liberty (pp. 385-390)
W (4-20) Pornography and Censorship (pp. 348-356)
From Attorney General’s Commission on Pornography: Final Report (pp. 357-362)
Wendy McElroy’s “A Feminist Defense of Pornography” (pp. 381-385)
Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide
M (4-25) Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide (pp. 228-239)
LAST DAY TO SUBMIT EXTRA CREDIT
W (4-27) Dax’s Case: Who Should Decide? (in-class video)
J. Gay-Williams’ “The Wrongfulness of Euthanasia” (pp. 243-246)
Dan W. Brock’s “Voluntary Active Euthanasia” (pp. 246-254)
Animals and the Environment
M (5-2) Environmental Ethics (pp. 498-507)
Animal Rights (pp. 555-564)
From William F. Baxter’s People or Penguins (pp. 508-511)
Peter Singer’s “All Animals Are Equal” (pp. 565-575)
W (5-4) THIRD EXAM
W (5-11) Critical Paper Submitted to Blackboard by 1:50pm