MORAL PROBLEMS
PHILOSOPHY 110-01
BAILEY 106
MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY
1:50-2:55PM
FALL 2014
Dr. Krisanna Scheiter
Email: scheitek@union.edu
Office: Lamont 308
Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday 3:00-4:00pm
Course Description
In this course we will discuss some of the most controversial moral problems of our time,
including questions about reproductive rights, the right to die, the right to marry, gender, sex and
coercion, animal rights, poverty, and world hunger. We will read philosophical articles, Supreme
Court rulings, listen to podcasts, and discuss real-world cases that deal with each of these issues.
Please be aware that some of the content in the readings and podcasts depict some violence. The
aim of the course is to engage in careful and considerate philosophical discussion of these issues.
You are expected to treat each other with respect and sensitivity.
Required Texts
White, J. (2005). Contemporary moral problems. Tenth Edition. Cengage Learning.
Assignments
5% Participation
10% Nexus Posts
10% Quizzes
20% First Paper
25% Second Paper
30% Final Paper
Resources
Writing Center: The Writing Center (second floor of Schaffer Library) provides free one-onone consultation, both by appointment and as available on a walk-in basis. I encourage you to
visit the writing center for any and all writing assignments.
http://www.union.edu/Resources/Academic/writing/index.php.
Accommodations: It is the policy of Union College to make reasonable accommodations for
qualified individuals with disabilities. If you have a specific disability that qualifies you for
academic accommodations, please bring your accommodation ID card to your instructor’s office
hours as soon as possible. Your instructor will then discuss with you any necessary special
arrangements. No accommodations will be provided to students who do not have an
accommodation ID card from the Office of Student Support Services (x8785).
Assignments
Participation: This is a discussion-based course. Active student participation will be a central
feature of the learning experience. Class discussion, office hours (in which we discuss class
material), and participation in the online forums all count towards your participation grade. In
order to ensure successful participation, it is important that you attend to two main tasks:
•
Reading Assignments: You should complete the assigned reading prior to the class for
which they are assigned in order to contribute meaningfully to class discussion. If you have
not read philosophy before, you may find the readings difficult at first. Don’t give up! As
you read try to identify core claims and arguments. Take notes, jotting down questions or
critiques.
•
Class Discussion: You should contribute to class discussions regularly and in a respectful
manner, either by asking questions relating to the topic or contributing your own meaningful
insights. Discussion will be based on the reading assignments. One way to prepare for class
discussions is by trying to answer the study questions at the end of the reading assignments.
Papers: There are three papers for the course. The first paper is 2-3 pages, the second paper is 34 pages, and the final paper is 4-5 pages. The papers will be assigned in advance and you will
have a choice of topics on which to write. I will provide a guideline to writing philosophy
papers. Penalty for late papers is a 3% deduction for every class that goes by after the paper is
due unless an extension has been granted in advance.
Nexus (Discussion Board): In order to get the maximum amount of points you must post by
9am before class. I will not count posts that are entered after 9am. There is no way to make
up a missed post. If you do not post on the discussion board by 9am you will not receive any
points for that post. You should post at least one paragraph (approx. 5 sentences) in response to
the readings for that day. You may respond to your fellow students’ posts on Nexus, but it must
be clear from your post that you read the material. Each post is worth 10 points. I will take off
points if the post does not demonstrate mastery of the readings. I will also take off points
for substantial spelling and grammar mistakes so please read over your posts carefully. The
discussion board is good practice for your papers.
Pop Quizzes
There will be a handful of pop quizzes throughout the semester. They will be given at the
beginning of class so it is important to show up to class on time. There is no way to make up a
missed quiz.
Attendance
I will take attendance every day before class. Attendance is mandatory. Missed classes will be
reflected in your participation grade and quizzes.
Expectations and Classroom Policies
Email
•
Please feel free to email me any time, but allow me 24 hours to respond during the week and
48 hours during the weekend.
•
If you have questions about the class or the assignments please check the syllabus first
before emailing.
•
If you cannot find it on the syllabus, then send me an email.
•
If you have any questions about the content of the class or would simply like to discuss some
philosophical thoughts of your own do not hesitate to come to my office hours or set up an
appointment.
General Expectations
•
Come to class prepared and on time.
•
Turn off your phone, no texting, no laptops unless absolutely necessary, no newspapers, no
talking to one another unless is it part of class discussion, no sleeping.
•
You are expected to pay attention and engage respectfully with your classmates.
•
If you must use your laptop for note taking, please be aware that you may not use the Internet
for any purpose during class and you may wish to disable it if you will be otherwise tempted.
Failure to abide by this requirement will result in loss of the privilege to use your laptop in
class.
Plagiarism
Students are expected to adhere to the Union College Academic Honor Code, which you can
access at: www.union.edu/academic_depts/ethics/union/Honor%20Code.php
TOPICS AND READINGS
PART I: RIGHTS AND MORALITY
September 10:
Introductions
September 12:
Introduction to Moral Theory (pp.1-11); Egoism and Moral Skepticism
(pp.11-19)
September 15:
Trying Out One’s New Sword (pp. 34-37); Utilitarianism (pp.38-46)
Radio Lab Podcast: Morality
September 17:
The Categorical Imperative (pp.46-51); Moral Luck (Nexus);
Radio Lab Podcast: Blame (Nexus)
September 19:
Happiness and Virtue (pp.52-61); A Theory of Justice (pp. 61-66)
PART II: REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
September 22:
Introduction: Roe Vs Wade (pp. 80-96)
September 24:
An Almost Absolute Value in History (pp.97-102); A Defense of Abortion
(pp.102-111)
September 26:
On the Moral and Legal Status of Abortion (pp.111-122); An Argument
that Abortion is Wrong (pp. 122-132)
September 29:
The Potentiality Problem, Elizabeth Harman (Nexus)
October 1:
Case Studies Workshop (Nexus)
PART III: EUTHANASIA
October 3:
Introduction (pp. 148-154); Active and Passive Euthanasia (pp. 154-158);
The Intentional Termination of Life (pp. 158-164)
October 6:
Voluntary Active Euthanasia (pp.164-178)
October 8:
Is there a Duty to Die? (pp. 178-196)
October 10:
Case Studies Workshop (Nexus)
PART IV: SEX AND GENDER
October 13:
What is Feminist Ethics? (pp. 67-73); Same-Sex Marriage (pp.233-245)
October 15:
Same-Sex Marriage and the Argument from Public Disagreement (pp.
246-252); Who Needs Marriage? (pp.253-261)
October 17:
What is Marriage For? (pp. 261-270)
First Paper Due
October 20:
Is it a boy or a girl? (Nexus); Lives in a chiaroscuro (Nexus); Gender
Diversity (Nexus)
October 22:
“Seduction, Rape, Coercion” (Nexus)
October 24:
“Sex Under Pressure” (Nexus)
October 27:
Case Studies Workshop (Nexus)
PART V: ANIMAL LIBERATION AND VEGETARIANISM
October 29:
Introduction (pp. 271-275); Our Duties to Animals (pp. 275-276); All
Animals are Equal (pp. 277-285)
October 31:
Speciesism and the Idea of Equality (pp. 285-292)
Second Paper Due
November 3:
Puppies, Pigs, and People (pp. 292-310)
November 5:
Case Studies Workshop (Nexus)
November 7:
NO CLASS
PART VI: WORLD POVERTY AND HUNGER
November 10:
Introduction (pp. 311-315); World Poverty and Human Rights (pp. 315321)
November 12:
Antipoverty Warriors (pp. 321-331); Famine, Affluence, and Morality (pp.
331-339)
November 14:
Living on a Lifeboat (pp. 339-356)
November 17:
Case Studies Workshop (Nexus)
November 21:
Final Paper Due by Midnight via Nexus