LAKE-SUMTER STATE COLLEGE
Contemporary Ethics Credit Course Syllabus
Room 120, Cooper Memorial Library
Course Number/CRN: PHI2630/10219
Meeting Times:
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2:00 p.m.-3:20 p.m.
Room 120, Cooper Memorial Library
Credit:
Term:
3
Spring 2015
Instructor: Dr. William C. Weckerly, Adjunct Professor
E-mail—weckerlw@lssc.edu
Cell phone—352-308-4096
Contact Information:
All students must use the official college e-mail
communications at Lakehawk.edu. See the college webpage for instruction
on activating Lakehawk Mail.
Office House: Hours are by appointment. As an adjunct I have no office or
regular office hours. However, I will be available before and after classes
and by appointment.
Prerequisite:
instructor.
“C” or higher in ENC 1101 or documented consent by the
Required Text: The Fundamental of Ethics by Russ Shafer-Landau
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES--COURSE DESCRIPTION:
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 question 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.
GENERAL COURSE GOALS: First and foremost, students will be challenged
to think creatively and critically about issues in real life that they will face or
have faced that demand an ethical decision. Students will become familiar
with the philosophical approach to ethics. The course will also place
emphasis on good communication skills with longer written compositions
and class debates.
Reading material--Text: The Fundamentals of Ethics by Russ Shafer-Landau.
Additional bibliographic selections will be available.
Academic Integrity:
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 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.)
Important Information for Students with Disabilities:
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 can be found at
www.lssc.edu, then to go “Quick Links” and click on Disability Services.
GORDON RULE:
This course meets the Gordon Rule (6,000 words of
composition) toward graduation.
Privacy Policy (FERPA)
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.
Attendance and withdrawal and other matters—the last day to withdraw
from this course is November 21, 2015. After that date, MIAs will receive an
“F” for the class.
LSSC School policy mandates that a student who stops attending class
without officially withdrawing will earn an “F” in the course. Students who
have extenuating circumstance regarding class attendance have the
obligation to speak to the instructor.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING:
Participation--Each student should to be present for and participate in each
class session. A significant part of the learning experience is sharing ideas
and participating in the classroom setting. Classroom participation will be
100 points toward the final grade.
Attendance—Good attendance is essential and will be taken at each class
meeting.
Excused absences include personal or family illness and other
family situations, transportation problems. Students who are going to be
absent should notify the instructor within a day before or after an absence.
Attendance is directly related to class participation. If students are not
present, they obviously cannot participate. Perfect attendance throughout
the semester will have a bonus of 20 points. However, every unexcused
absence will result in a five-point deduction.
Journal—each student will keep a record of her/his ruminations concerning
ethics. The journal should include reflections on the day’s discoveries. In
addition, the journal should detail ethical decisions the student is faced with
or ones that may have been observed in others. The notes will be 100 points
toward the final grade. Ten reflective essays will be written in class on
pertaining to material discussed—worth 200 point in all for the essays.
Oral presentation—each student will prepare and deliver a speech on an
issue as outlined in this syllabus, worth 100 points.
Papers—First paper—in five to six pages, detail your personal ethical
response to a vignettes presented by the instructor, worth 50 points. Final
paper—in six to eight pages, examine TWO of the topics presented in the
syllabus, with appropriate ethical theory application, worth 100 points.
Midterm exam will be essay form, defining all of the ethical theories, worth
50 points toward the final grade. Along with the exam due will be a paper of
four to six pages on one of the vignettes listed later in this syllabus and as
mentioned above.
Extra credit projects will be available upon approval of the instructor.
Please note: regular attendance in class is essential for the overall learning
experience. Tests that are missed should be made up within one week.
The course will have a maximum of 700 points. The final course grade will
be based on the following criteria: classroom participation, 100 points;
speech, 100 points; ten reflective essays, 200 points; journals, 100 points;
first paper, 50 points; take-home mid-term exam, 50 points; final paper, 100
points. Extra credit projects and/or reading will be available upon approval
from the instructor.
An important note about all written assignments---since students will always
and forever be communicators, good writing skills must be evident in every
paper submitted. Therefore, all written assignments must be done on white
paper, typed—double-spaced, with margins approximately as follows—1-inch
margins throughout. Sentences must be coherent and complete, with proper
paragraphing. All misspelled words and incorrect punctuation will be noted.
(Make sure that you use your spell-check.) Points will be deducted for
excessive poor grammar, spelling, and other composition errors. In some
cases, students may be asked to rewrite the paper.
(Help is always
available through the Writing Center.) All papers must be presented in class
with no e-mails accepted, except in extenuating circumstances. Papers that
do not meet the deadline requirements that will be stipulated will receive a
reduced grade or rejected by the instructor. A word to the wise: expect the
unexpected. You should have your major papers completed several days
before the due date. You don’t know when your computer will “crash” or
your printer will run out of ink, etc.
In other words, DO NOT
PROCRASTINATE!!!!
Violence Statement:
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.
Plagiarism: This practice is dishonest and teaches nothing. Therefore,
students must do their own work! Citation should be made of any and all
sources. Doing work that is a duplication of someone else’s work without
citation will not be accepted and will receive a “0” for that assignment.
Depending on the severity of the plagiarism, course failure may result.
Simply changing a few words and printing virtually the entire essay is NOT
ACCEPTABLE! A word about sources: be sure to use authoritative sources.
NO WIKIPEDIA! If any student uses an obscure or difficult word or phrase,
he/she must know the meaning of such words. What with Google.com,
plagiarism is not hard to discover!
Regarding cheating on quizzes—if
students appear to have cheated on a quiz, those involved will receive a “0”
for that test.
Method of Evaluation
The course will have a maximum of 700 points. The final grade will be based
on the following criteria: classroom participation, 100 points; 10 reflective,
in-class essays worth 200 points; journal/notes, 100 points; midterm paper
and exam, 100 points; final paper, 100 points; debate, 100 points. Extra
credit projects and/or reading will be available upon approval from the
instructor.
Based on the 700 total points, the following grading will ensue:
`
630-700
A
520-629
B
495-519
C
420-494
D
419 and lower F
CLASS POLICIES
1. All papers must be submitted in class as “hard copy”. If not submitted in
class, students may take their papers to the front desk in Building 2. One of
the women will take your papers, stamp them with the time and date, and
place them in my mail box.
DO NOT TRY TO SEND YOUR PAPERS
ELECTRONICALLY!
2.
Use only recognized authoritative sources such as books, news
magazines, official websites; however, absolutely NO Wikipedia. Always use
appropriate citations in your manuscripts.
3. Almost every week, students will write a brief reflection paper of about
250 words in length on one of the concepts covered that week in class.
4. The first paper will be your reaction to and plan for action regarding a
vignette that poses an ethical dilemma. The final paper will be a practical
application of ethical theories in difficult situation.
5. Midterm and final exams will be take-home tests.
6. Extra credit projects must be approved by the instructor.
7. ABSOLUTELY NO cell phones in the classroom during class.
If you
receive an important call, please leave the classroom.
8. Lap top may be used ONLY FOR TAKING NOTES—no personal matters!
9. Noncompliance of any these rules will result in a 50-point deduction.
10.
EVERY UNEXCUSED ABSENCE will result in a five-point
deduction.
Violence Statement:
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.
TENTATIVE CLASS SCHEDULE:
First week—August 25th, 27th-Introduction and class expectations, clarification of assignments and
activities; a thorough examination of the syllabus and defining
deadlines that everyone must meet. In the text, read the introduction
and the first four chapters.
Reflective essay #1.
Second week—September 1st, 3rd-Discussion of chapter one: “The Good Life” and what it may entail.
Is happiness all that matters? How might the quest for happiness
Involve ethical dilemmas? Is happiness all that matters?
Reflective essay #2
Third week—September 8th, 10th---Getting what you want and how your desires conflict with the desires
of others. Problems with the desire theory. Begin ethical theories.
Reflective essay #3.
Fourth week—September 15th, 17th-ETHICAL THEORIES:
Chapter 5--Diving Command—morality and
religion. What are some of the strengths and weaknesses in making
ethical/moral decision?
Reflective essay #4
Fifth week—September 22nd, 24th-Chapter 6—natural law (natural rights). What must be guaranteed to
every person simply by being human? How can/should those rights to
protected?
Reflective essay #5
Sixth week—September 29th, October 1st-Chapters 7 and 8: Egoism—is this theory really a viable option, as
opposed to other people?
Reflective essay #6.
Seventh week—October 6th, 8th-Chapters 9 and 10: Utilitarianism—does this theory always benefit the
majority?
Reflective essay #7
Eighth week—October 13th, 15th-Chapters 11-17
MIDTERM PAPERS DUE TOMORROW BY 4:30 P.M.—
DEADLINE!
Ninth week—October 20th, 22nd-Chapters 15, 16, 17—Kantian Ethics, Relativism; virtue ethics; feminist
ethics, etc.
Tenth week—October 27th, 29th
Oral presentations
Eleventh week—November 3rd, 5th-Oral presentations
Twelfth week—November 10th, 12th-Oral Presentations
Reflective essay #8
Thirteenth week—November 17th, 19th-Contemporary issues: Euthanasia
Is a “good death” really an option?
Abortion—a hotly debated issue.
Reflective essay #9
Fourteenth week—24th NO CLASS NOVEMBER 26TH THANKSGIVING
Capital punishment—does the punishment fit the crime?
Reflective essay #10.
Fifteenth week—-December 1st, 3rd—Other contemporary issues
FINAL PAPERS DUE TOMORROW, DECEMBER 4TH BY 4:30 P.M.
Sixteenth week—Finals week, attendance required!
from 2-3:55 on Tuesday, December 8th.
This class will meet
SYLLABUS DISCLAIMER:
Information contained in this syllabus is, to the
best of the instructor’s knowledge, considered correct and complete when
distributed to the student. The instructor reserves the right, acting within
policies and procedures of Lake-Sumter Community College, to make
necessary changes in course content or instructional techniques without
prior notice or obligation to the student.
Contemporary Ethics
Suggested topics for your four- to six-paged paper due on or before 4:30 p.m. in Friday,
October 16, 2015.
Using one of the following vignettes, identify the ethical/moral problems presented.
Using the various ethical theories (and using the terms discussed), outline your
approach to solving the problem(s) and the possible consequences. The paper should
be from four to six pages in length, double spaced. You should cite sources used other
than the textbook.
1. You have been unemployed for quite some time and have a family to support. You
are desperate to get a job. After a promising interview, you and several other
applicants are taking a test. The results of the test will determine which one of the
group will be hired. During the test, you notice that one of the applicants is cheating
by having a “crib sheet” in his lap. You also know that that person has a very ill wife
and several children at home. What should you do? Why would you choose your
course of action?
2. You are with a group of your friends for “a night out on the town.” Several in the
group haven’t had their twenty-first birthday, even though the look to be older than
they are. Someone suggests that the whole group go into a bar for a few drinks.
Knowing that you all might get into trouble, someone comes up with a fake ID for the
under-aged individuals. You’ve heard that the bar usually doesn’t even check IDs.
You are the only one who balks at the plan. What are you going to do? What are
some of the consequences of the choices made?
3. You receive a call from your best friend whose teenage daughter has been in a
terrible auto accident. There is little hope of recovery. A doctor comes to your
friend’s family about donating organs if the young woman doesn’t survive. Everyone
wants to cling on to life, but you are there when the bad news come: there is no
brain activity. How do you help this family make that difficult decision? What are
some of the considerations involved?
4. You find a bag with a rather large amount of money in it--$9,000. It’s on a deserted
street, with no one in sight. The bag has no identification whatsoever. You know
that you certainly could use the money, what with tuition due very soon. What
should you? What sort of ideas flash through your mind?
5. You have made the acquaintance of a retired couple. They have come to you for
some advice. You find out that they are both living on Social Security benefits and
no retirement. They have decided that the only way for them to survive is to live
together. They are deeply religious and feel that it is wrong. What are some of the
issues involved? How can you help them sort things out?
6. You and your fellow police officer on the vice squad complete your investigation of a
drug ring. During the raid on a home and after you have arrested those involved,
you discover a bag with a great deal of money in it—well over $100,000. You
confiscate the bag with other evidence. On the way back to the police station, your
partner suggests that the both of you take some money from the bag and split it—
maybe $10,000. “No one will know the difference. After all, it’s drug money. What
do you do? You have a child with special needs and the money could help in the
child’s care.
Contemporary Ethics
Midterm exam
Fall 2015
Due on or before 4:30 p.m. on Friday, October 16, 2015
Examine six of the following ethical theories in this way: 1. Briefly define the theory; 2.
Give at least one concrete illustration of the application of that theory; 3. Briefly list the
strong points of the theory; 4. Briefly discuss weak aspects of that theory.
Divine Command
Relativism
Egoism
Utilitarianism
Kant’s Moral Theory
Natural Law
Virtue Ethics
Please use complete sentences and limit your total responses to no more six (6) pages.
You may choose to do all seven theories for a little extra credit.
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
Each student will choose on the following topics to present a 10-15-minute speech. In your
presentation, you will justify your stance on the basis of two or more ethical theories. You may
use a power point, video clips, charts, etc. The VERY IMPORTANT factor to remember is that
you must solidly base your stance on several ethical theories, not just a personal opinion.
Following the presentations, discussion will open for the class. You should also indicate in your
presentation whatever significant sources you used for your data. We will begin the speeches
immediately after spring break.
1. Abortion
2. Animal cloning
3. Human cloning
4. Embryonic stem cell research
5. Cell cloning for research
6. Capital punishment
7. Euthanasia
8. Same-sex marriage
9. Animal testing in medical research
10. Factory farms
11. Doctor-assisted suicide
12. War
13. Healthcare for every person in the U.S.
14. End-of-life issues in health care
15. Legalization of medical marijuana
16. Smoking ban in all public areas—buildings, parks, etc.
17. Complete ban of manufacturing that pollutes the environment
18. Violence, vulgar language, nudity on television
19. Nationwide gun control
20. Right of adoptees to locate birth parents
21. Terrorism and the possible loss of personal freedom (Patriot Act)
22. Electronic eavesdropping of civilians
23. Mandatory vaccination of preteen girls for HPV, or vaccines in general
24. Banning all negative political ads
25. Torture to extract information from detainees
26. Human rights violations in the world
27. Human trafficking
28. Quality of life issues
29. Social media, use especially by youth
30. Mental illness: right of patients not to take necessary medications
31. Other—(specify)
Name___________________________________________________
Topic___________________________________________________
Final paper, due on or before 4:30 p.m. on December 4, 2015. (See
note below.)
In no fewer than five pages and no more than eight pages, consider
two of the following ethical issues. Justify your stance by using at
least three ethical theories. In addition, you will include your own
evaluation/reaction. Cite significant sources, any current news
coverage (newspaper articles or a brief summary of TV). Use
footnotes only if the citation is critical to your thesis. Otherwise,
simply cite your sources within the text of your paper. Final is worth
100 points. Deductions will be made for excessive mistakes.
1. Dirty Politics
2. Corporate Greed and Its Fall-out
3. Multinational Corporations and Their Dealing with Indigenous
workers
4. Euthanasia (active or passive)
5. Doctor-assisted Suicide
6. Legalization of medical marijuana
7. Criminal Justice System
8. Capital Punishment
9. Cloning, Especially Human Cloning
10. Rights of Unmarried and/or Same-sex Couples
11. Internet and Sexual Predators
12. Partial-birth Abortion
13. Environmental Crises vs. Economic Development
14. Stem Cell Research, especially embryonic stem cells
15. Use of Transplant Organs from Executed Criminals
15. Genetic engineering, i.e. cure/treatment for disease
As indicated above, choose at least three of the following ethical theories in
your treatment of your subject:
Divine Command
Ethical Relativism (personal and social/cultural)
Egoism
Utilitarianism
Kantian
Natural Law, Natural Rights
Virtue Ethics
The final paper listed above is
due NO LATER than 4:30 p.m. on
Friday, December 4, 2015. In
addition, you must include
the rest of your journal. For
those so motivated, papers
that are submitted at least
two (2) weeks before that
deadline will received ten (10)
extra points.
Contemporary Ethics
Fall 2015
PHI2630, 10219
Student Personal Data
Name___________________________________________________________________
Address_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Telephone number(s)_____________________________________________________
E-mail address___________________________________________________________
Please list any special needs that you may have that I should be aware of.
Certain special needs must be certified.
Other than passing the course, what do you hope to achieve in this class?