Elementary Ethics
PHIL 121
3 Credit Hours
Course Information
Course Description:
Morality is tentatively defined as those rules that tell us what is good or bad, right
or wrong. They govern our behavior. Ethics is tentatively defined as the rational
justification of our moral rules. These definitions will be refined as the course
progresses. This course, Elementary Ethics, is a critical analysis of the principle
ethical theories and their applications to contemporary moral issues.
Course Objectives:
By the completion of this course, students will:
1. Be able to recognize, explain and critique the major ethical theories in
Western and selected world philosophies, and relate these theories to
contemporary moral problems.
2. Be able to apply techniques of philosophical analysis to ethical arguments,
and diagnose fallacies in those arguments.
3. Be able to apply the moral problem-solving techniques proposed by various
moral philosophers and ethical traditions to their own moral thinking.
4. Develop the ability to analyze and criticize moral arguments and theses,
including one's own position.
5. Demonstrate competent English composition and critical thinking skills,
sharpened in this class by the writing of analytical essays, ongoing class
discussions, and a peer review of one written assignment.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites:
None
Course Topics:
Part One: Ethical Theory
Ethics and Ethical Reasoning
The Presuppositions of Ethics
Freedom and Determinism
Ethics is intelligible, rational, and concerns the human condition
Conflict of values
Conflict of imperatives
Ethics and law, etiquette and personal taste
The Greeks
Plato
ii. Aristotle
The Sages
Ethics and Religion
Judaism and the Divine Command Theory
Christianity and the Biblical Tradition
Buddhist Ethics
Confucian Ethics
Ethics and Islam
Ethical Relativism
Ruth Benedict
Mary Midgley
Egoism
Psychological Egoism
i. Thomas Hobbes
Ethical Egoism
Utilitarianism
The Principle of Utility
Jeremy Bentham
ii. John Stuart Mill
Act and Rule Utilitarianism
Kant's Moral Theory
The Categorical Imperative
Duty
Natural Law and Natural Rights
Aristotle
John Locke
Virtue Ethics
Aristotle
Carol Gilligan
Part Two: Contemporary Ethical Issues (Note optional added issue not
covered in the textbook*)
1. Euthanasia
2. Abortion
3. Sexual Morality
4. Pornography
5. Equality and Discrimination
6. Economic Justice
7. Legal Punishment
8. Environmental Ethics
9. Animal Rights
10. Cloning and Genetic Engineering
11. Violence, Terrorism, and War
12. Global Issues and Globalization
13. Business Ethics*
Specific Course Requirements:
None
Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software
Requirements
Required Textbooks:
Please visit the RODP Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this
course. Simply click on the RODP Virtual Bookstore on the left bar or go to
http://rodp.bkstr.com
Hardware Requirements:
The minimum requirements can be found at
http://www.tn.regentsdegrees.org/students/hardware_software.htm. there are no
specific hardware requirements for this course.
Software Requirements:
The minimum requirements can be found at
http://www.tn.regentsdegrees.org/students/hardware_software.htm. Specific
software requirements for this course include Real Player or Media Player, Acrobat
Reader, Microsoft Word. Streaming video is available from Annenberg CPB. The
Library has many PDF files and one Power Point Presentation.
Instructor Information
Please see the separate page inside the course to find instructor contact
information as well as a statement of virtual office hours and other communication
information.
Assessment and Grading
Testing Procedures:
There are two tests, the Ethical Theories Test and the Comprehensive Final
Exam.
The Ethical Theories Test will be given online. It will be timed. There is a Practice
Ethical Theories test for review. Review Questions are provided in the
corresponding course module. Neither the Practice Test nor the Review Questions
count as part of the course grade.
The Comprehensive Final Exam will be given online. It will be timed. There is a
Practice Final Exam for review. Review Questions are provided.
Review Questions for each chapter are available on the Tests/Quizzes Page. The
questions come from the same test bank as the questions for both tests. The
Review Questions are available from the beginning of the class. There is no limit on
the number of times the Review Questions may be accessed. The Review Questions
do not count as part of the course grade.
Grading Procedure:
There are two tests.
The first will be a test on the ethical theories studied in Part 1. The second test is a
comprehensive final exam. The Test on Ethical Theories will be 20% of the
course grade.
The Comprehensive Final Exam will be 20% of the course grade.
Class Participation:
Students and the instructor will discuss various ethical theories and later ethical
issues on the Discussion Board. The responses to these questions will be evaluated
by the instructor. Specific criteria for high quality responses are given in the course
module "Discussion Questions and Responses." The quality of the discussion
responses will be evaluated and count 20% of the course grade.
Critique Paper:
There will be a first paper based on a Critique of an Ethical Theory (Chapters 1-7)
studied. This paper is 20% of the course grade. See the Assignments section
below.
Ethical Issues Paper:
There will be a second "peer-reviewed" paper on an Ethical Issue like those studied
in the textbook in Part 2. The ethical issue chosen by the student will be analyzed
from the standpoint of an ethical theory of the student's choice. This paper will be
20% of the course grade. See the Assignments section below.
The average of each of these five course requirements taken together will
determine the course grade.
Suggested Grading Scale:
The Grading Scale for this class reflects the highest achievement in the course. The
scale may be adjusted by the instructor:
A:
B:
C:
D:
F:
92 - 100
82 - 91
70 - 81
60 - 69
Below 60
Assignments and Participation
Assignments and Projects:
There will be ongoing Class Discussions on ethical theories and contemporary
moral issues throughout the semester. Information on conducting the threaded
discussions and for high quality responses is available in the course module
"Discussion Questions and Responses." Ideally, the class discussions will take on
the form of a Socratic dialogue in which students and the instructor together seek
to find knowledge.
After the section on ethical theories has been completed, approximately five weeks
into the semester, the Ethical Theories Test will be given online. A Practice Test
for review purposes will be available online. Review Questions will be available in
the assessment module for the test on ethical theories. The Practice Tests and
Review Questions do not count as part of the class grade.
Review Questions for each chapter covered are found in the assessment module.
These Review Questions consist of true/false and multiple choice questions that
are based on the assigned reading materials. Students are encouraged to use their
books, notes and information gained from the Class Discussions when working on
the Review Questions. The Review Questions and the two exams share the same
test bank. The Review Questions are graded so that students know their score and
the grades are posted. However these grades do not count as part of your course
grade.
About two weeks after the Ethical theories Test, the first paper will be due.
Detailed instructions, suggested topics and a sample paper will be available in the
corresponding course module for the Critique of an Ethical Theory paper.
Students will take one of the ethical theories studied and discuss its strengths and
weaknesses by logical analysis. This can be done by different methods. For
example the student may choose to critique ethical relativism from the perspective
of religious absolutism or the deontological ethical tradition from the Utilitarian
perspective. Another possibility might be to show if a theory is ultimately logically
contradictory. Another possible approach might be to analyze an ethical dilemma
and see how different ethical theories might say. Ethical theories are discussed in
Part 1 of the textbook and include Religion & Ethics, Ethical Relativism, Ethical
Egoism, Utilitarianism, Kant's Moral Theory, Natural Law & Natural Rights, and
Virtue Ethics. See the Papers Module and the Appendix in the textbook for more
information.
Approximately 10 weeks into the semester, the draft of the second paper on an
ethical issue or moral dilemma will be submitted to the Student Peer Review
Group for evaluation and assessment by the group. Detailed instructions and
sample papers will be available in the corresponding course module. Students will
be divided into peer study groups. Each member of the group will submit his or her
paper to the group for peer evaluation. After the paper is evaluated by your fellow
classmates, the student will make corrections and adjustments to the paper before
submitting it to the instructor for final grading. Approximately two weeks after that
process is complete the final draft of the Ethical Issues Paper will be submitted
to the instructor.
Ethical issues include the topics in Part 2 of the textbook. Some of these include
Euthanasia, Abortion, Sexual Morality, Pornography, etc. Additional information in
available in the Papers Module. Students may consider any ethical issue not
mentioned in the textbook as well.
The Comprehensive Final Exam will be given during the final exam period at the
conclusion of the semester. A Practice Final Exam review test will be available as
well as review questions in the corresponding course module.
Class Participation:
Students must participate in the ongoing class discussions of ethical theories and
issues. This class participation will take place on the Discussion pages. These
discussions will be threaded and students are expected to participate fully in them.
Students are expected to be current with the threaded discussions and to
participate fully in the dialogue.
Each student will be assigned to a peer review group of about five students. The
peer review group will engage in a preliminary evaluation of each student's Ethical
Issues Paper before the paper is submitted to the instructor for grading. The Chat
Room option will be opened for the peer review groups to use. Students are
encouraged to contact the instructor for advice.
Students will meet each testing deadline and tests and quizzes will be closed after
the deadline passes. Students will meet each deadline for papers. Late papers will
be penalized by deducting points for each day the paper is past due. The instructor
will post the penalty points deducted for late papers.
Suggested Assignment Schedule:
(Assignment Schedule is subject to change or revision)
Week:
Assignment/Topic:
Due Date:
Part 1:� Ethical Theory
Week 1
Ethics & Ethical Reasoning + Review
Questions on Chapter 1
Week 2
Ethics and Religion + Review Questions on
Module materials
Week 3
Ethical Relativism and Egoism + Review
Questions on Chapters 2 & 3
Week 4
Utilitarianism and Kantian Ethics + Review
Questions on Chapters 4 & 5
Week 5
Natural Law, Natural Rights and Virtue
Ethics + Review Questions on Chapters 6
&7
Ongoing
Discussions
Part Two:� Ethical Issues
Week 6
Chapter 8: Euthanasia + Review Questions
on Chapter 8
Test on Ethical
Theories
Ongoing
Discussions
Week 7
Chapter 9: Abortion + Review Questions
on Chapter 9
Consider Ethical
Theory�
paper topic
Ongoing
Discussions
Week 8
Chapter 10: Sexual Morality and
Chapter 11: Pornography + Review
Questions on Chapters 10 & 11
First Paper �
Critique of an
Ethical Theory
Due
Ongoing
Discussions
Week 9
Chapter 12: Equality & Discrimination +
Review Questions on Chapter 12
Peer Groups
formed
Ongoing
Discussions
Week 10
Chapter 13: Economic Justice and
Chapter 14: Legal Punishment + Review
Questions on Chapters 13 & 14
First Draft of
second paper
� Ethical
Issues Paper
� submitted
to peer group
Ongoing
Discussions
Week 11
Chapter 15: Environmental Ethics and
Ongoing
Chapter 16: Animal Rights + Review
Questions on Chapters 15 & 16
Discussions
Week 12
Chapter 17: Cloning & Genetic Engineering
and
Business Ethics (optional topic at the
choice of the instructor) + Review
Questions on Chapter 17 and the module
on Business Ethics
Final Draft
of� the
Ethical Issues
paper submitted
to instructor
Ongoing
Discussions
Week 13
Chapter 18: Violence, Terrorism & War
and
Chapter 19: Global Issues and
Globalization + Review Questions on
Chapters 18 & 19
Ongoing
Discussions
Week 14
Final Exam Period
Punctuality:
A detailed Course Calendar will be prepared by the instructor. This feature will
give all test and paper deadlines. Dates that discussion questions will be posted will
be given. Reminders and exact deadline dates will be posted on the calendar. The
Course Calendar may contain some internal links to relevant course content.
Course Ground Rules
Participation in the threaded class discussions is required during the week reserved
for each topic. Late discussions added after the topic of discussion has passed will
not be evaluated.
Students are expected to meet all assignment deadlines. Assignments and their
deadlines will be posted on the Course Calendar.
Students will communicate with each other within their student peer review
groups.
Students will learn how to navigate in D2L and should feel free to ask the instructor
for assistance when needed.
Students will keep abreast of course announcements by checking D2L email and
the Discussions Board on a daily basis.
Students should use the assigned college or university e-mail address as opposed a
personal e-mail address. All course requirements can be meet by using the D2L
email feature or other D2L features such as the Discussions Board or Chat rooms.
Students should address technical problems immediately by contacting the RODP
Help Desk or the instructor.
Students should observe course "netiquette" at all times.
Guidelines for Communications
Email and discussions:
Students are expected to follow the following suggestions when using D2L email or
the "Discussions" feature:






Always include a subject line.
Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the
wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be
helpful in some cases.
Use standard fonts.
Do not send large attachments without permission.
Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc.
should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other
communication.
Respect the privacy of other class members
Discussion Groups:
The Discussions Board of D2L will be utilized by students to conduct ongoing class
discussions. Students may want to consider the following suggestions for the
course discussions:







Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be
a lurker then a discussant.
Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new
topic.
Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the
discussion group. Be respectful of other's ideas.
Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly
before entering your remarks.
Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.
Chat:
The Chat Room feature of D2L can be utilized by the Peer Review Groups if they so
choose. Students may want to consider the following suggestions for the Chat
Room feature:

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Introduce yourself to the other learners in the chat session.
Be polite. Choose your words carefully. Do not use derogatory statements.
Be concise in responding to others in the chat session.
Be prepared to open the chat session at the scheduled time.
Be constructive in your comments and suggestion
Web Resources:


Columbia Guide to Online Style by Janice R. Walker and Todd Taylor
Citation Styles Online http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/online/cite6.html
Library
The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in the Regents
Degree Program. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases,
interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian
support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online
assignments and as background reading must be included in all courses.
Students With Disabilities
Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary
academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability
services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations
in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's
eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home
institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home
institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for
having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.
Syllabus Changes
The instructor reserves the left to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If
changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will
immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email
communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course
bulletin board.
Technical Support
Telephone Support:
If you are having problems logging into your course,
timing out of your course, using your course web site tools, or other technical
problems, please contact the AskRODP Help Desk by calling
1-866-550-7637 (toll free)
or go to the AskRODP website at:
http://askrodp.custhelp.com