John Jay College of Criminal Justice
524 West 59th Street
Ethical Foundations of the Just Society: Philosophy 102
Prof. Tanya Rodriguez
Room 8.63.19
trodriguez@jjay.cuny.edu
Office Hours: Wednesdays 1:30 - 3 p.m. or by appointment
Course Website: http://thejustsociety.wordpress.com/
Readings password: phi102
Course Description:
What is the connection between the way an individual person lives and the creation of a just society? In this course we
examine how our everyday choices and character development contribute to the common good. We will do a deep
investigation into the grounds of animal rights and the importance of environmental ethics for social justice. Finally, we
critique norms of friendship, sex and love, the role of respect and the value of honesty.
Learning Objectives:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Using the philosophical perspectives presented in the class, students will describe their own relationship to
significant issues in justice, including issues in education and educational rights, punishment, and the
distribution of goods.
Students will acquire the abilities needed to use evidence-based inquiry to present arguments in ethics,
including the use of proper citation, and the critical thinking skills needed to distinguish reliable information
sources and cogent argumentation
Students will acquire skills in working with others through collaborative group-work projects, including online collaboration.
Students will acquire skills in planning to achieve long-term goals through short assignments and progress
reports leading up to a final paper or presentation (students will have the opportunity to present their work
in the First Year Showcase).
Students will acquire skills in working with co-curricular institutions and services, including student clubs,
the research resources of the library, the writing center, and the philosophy lecture series.
Classroom Etiquette:

Leaving/Entering during class – Once a student has entered the classroom s/he is not permitted to leave until the
class period has ended. If a student should leave the classroom for any reason after the class period has begun
without authorization prior to class, the student will upon the first infraction be issued a verbal warning at the
time the infraction occurs or warned outside of class; thereafter, each infraction will result in a one point
deduction from the student’s participation grade. Each time a student violates this policy after the initial infraction
and subsequent warning, the one point deduction will be made without notification to the student.

Electronic devices – The use of electronic devices during class time is prohibited. All electronic devices must be
turned off and stored out of the instructor’s sight. Should a student make use of an electronic device of any kind,
in any way, during class time without permission from the instructor, the student will lose one point from her/his
participation grade for every infraction past the first, which will constitute the student’s sole warning. If a
student’s electronic device goes off during class, the student will lose one point from her/his participation grade.
If, at any time, the instructor observes a student’s electronic device (whether or not it is in use), one point will be
deducted from the student’s participation grade. For example, if a student has headphones in her/his ears for a
device such as an iPod, or a Bluetooth headset, even if the device in question is not in use, the student will lose
one point from her/his participation grade.

Talking – If a student engages in conversation or talking of any sort while the instructor or any other member of
the class has the floor, that student will be assessed a one point penalty to her/his participation grade.
Plagiarism:
Don’t plagiarize. If you hand me a paper that is not your own work, includes work that is not your own and is not
properly cited, or is adapted from work not your own without proper citation, you fail the course immediately. If you
feel like trying it anyway, I’d recommend “Spark Notes,” at sparknotes.com. Following is the college statement on
plagiarism; if you’re unsure if you’re engaging in plagiarism, you probably are! Read this for guidance:
Plagiarism is the act of presenting another person’s ideas, research or writings as your own. The following are some
examples of plagiarism, but by no means is it an exhaustive list:
• Copying another person’s actual words without the use of quotation marks and footnotes attributing the words to
their source
• Presenting another person’s ideas or theories in your own words without acknowledging the source
• Using information that is not common knowledge without acknowledging the source
• Failing to acknowledge collaborators on homework and laboratory assignments
Internet plagiarism includes submitting downloaded term papers or part of term papers, paraphrasing or copying
information from the Internet without citing the source, and “cutting and pasting” from various sources without proper
attribution.
(From the John Jay College of Criminal Justice Graduate Bulletin, p. 89)
Grading:
Wordpress Blog: 20%
Blog Comments: 5%
Glossary of philosophical terms: 5%
Participation & Classroom Activities: 20%
Term Paper (Part 1:30%, Part 2 or Midterm Poster: 20%): 50 %
 Find the explanation for each of these categories below.
WordPress Blog:
Blog entries respond to the assigned reading and must be posted prior to class. Every class presents an opportunity to
post a reading blog, but one is required each week. You may revise and extend blogs after class discussion, but only if
the first draft is posted before class. Always record your blogs on your comments page.
1. Read the assigned pages carefully and choose the most important or interesting passage from the reading for
analysis. Always refer to page & paragraph.
2. Outline your ideas with respect to the following:




State and evaluate your chosen passage’s thesis.
Pose interesting questions with respect to the passage.
Give original examples that support or undermine claims made in the passage.
Suggest how the passage ties in with other course readings.
3. Blogs should be 300-600 words, with a minimum of 300 words posted prior to class discussion of the reading. Be
aware that I can estimate your word count easily by merely glancing at your post.
*Your blog homework must be posted before class begins in order to receive credit. I recommend posting by
Monday and commenting by Wednesday.
Blog Comments:

You must comment on two of your peers’ blog posts EVERY WEEK.

You will find links to student blogs at the course wordpress site: speechpornart.wordpress.com

After commenting, record your comment on the comments page.

Comments must be positive. You may make suggestions or ask questions, but this is NOT the place for vicious
debate.
Glossary

Keep a glossary of vocabulary words from the reading or lectures. A minimum of 20 words is expected. Cite your
source.
Participation:
Participation means more than simply talking, but saying intelligent and helpful things that demonstrate your familiarity
with the assigned reading. You will be assessed on quality (not mere quantity) of discussion. In-class writing, group
projects and informal blog presentations) also count for participation.
Classroom Activities:
These activities count for your participation grade and are not on the schedule. They cannot be made up for any reason.
I take notes on performance during every class: star/plus/check. A star is earned by sheer brilliance, obvious
preparation, and originality. They are awarded only occasionally, but they do happen. A plus is very good performance,
and a check indicates active engagement and effort. No credit is awarded for your mere presence in the classroom. You
may consult me at any time if you are unsure of your performance. I will provide examples and coach you during these
activities.
Think/Pair/Share
1.
Read the assigned passage quietly to yourself. Underline important points and make interpretive notes in
the margin. (10 minutes).
2.
Discuss the passage with your partner. Come to some conclusion about its meaning and think of a simple
way to explain it to the rest of the class. (15 minutes).
3.
I will choose which partner will present your findings to the rest of the class, but both partners are
responsible for the content of the share.
Learning Circle
Sometimes, I will put the entire class in a circle. Those students who have written blogs for that day, will give an
informal summary of their writing. Questions or comments are not permitted. during blog presentation. After
the blog summaries are finished, the circle opens to discussion. Only one person may speak at a time.
Philosophy is not a blood sport in my classroom,, and discussion is expected to be a cooperative exploration of
the material
Deep Reading
1.
Read the passage.
2.
Define terms and sketch a rough outline.
3.
Refine the basic argument presented in standard form.
4.
Sometimes I will ask you to write step three on the board when you finish it.
5.
Pose interesting questions or illustrate the point original examples.
6.
Write steps 3 & 5 on the provided index card and turn it in after discussion.
Term Paper/Poster
Part 1, 3-4 pages:
1. Choose two philosophers from the readings and one from your own research. Present each philosopher’s
understanding of a just society.
2. Outline the main argument for each philosopher
3. Support your (charitable) interpretation of the philosophers with short quotes, citations, and original examples.
Part 2, 3-4 pages or you can do a poster presentation for the First Year Showcase.
1. Identify a question raised during the course that has touched your life in some way.
2. Explain the connection between that question and a just society.
3. Apply the ethical theories from part one to the question.
4. State and defend your own answer to the question (your thesis and supporting argument).
5. Address and respond to the strongest possible objections to your view.
You are completely responsible for having done the readings and for bringing them to class. I will call on people at
random during class and ask questions about the reading. If you haven’t done the reading, or are unable to look in the
reading because you didn’t bring it, that will be noted; repeated failure to do the readings will reduce your final grade.
Repeatedly being able to speak knowledgeably about the readings will increase your final grade. That is, a strong
showing will give you extra credit in your class participation grade. You’ll receive full credit for speaking regularly in class
and showing that you have read the assigned texts. You don’t have to have fully understood the texts to receive full
credit; asking good questions is all that’s needed.
Week 1: Syllabus
Wednesday 8/28
 Syllabus
 Assignment: Set up your blog at wordpress.com before
Monday, 9/9
Week 2: Course Introduction: How are my beliefs justified?
Monday 9/9
Wednesday 9/11
 Introduction
 Clifford Williams: “The Ethics of Belief”
Week 3: Are there any absolute moral principles?
9/16
 Ruth Benedict: “A Defense of Moral Relativism”
9/18
 Melville J. Herskovits: “Cultural Relativism and Cultural
Values”
Week 4: Should we judge the morality of practices in other cultures?
9/23
9/25
 Louis Pojman: “Ethical Relativism: Who’s to Judge
 Martha Nussbaum: “Judging Other Cultures”
What’s Right and Wrong?”
Week 5: What is virtue?
9/30
 Aristotle: “Nicomachean Ethics”
10/2
 The Buddha: “The Four Noble Truths”
Week 6: Kant: What duties, if any, do we have as human beings?
10/7
 Immanuel Kant: “The Categorical Imperative”
10/9
 Robert Johnson: "Kant's Moral Philosophy"
Week 7: Utilitarianism: What is morally important, the action or its consequences?
10/15 (TUESDAY)
10/16
 John Stuart Mill: “Utilitarianism”
 Peter Singer: “Down on the Factory Farm”
Week 8: Animal Ethics: Is it Morally Permissible to Eat Meat?
10/21
10/23
 Holmes Rolston III: “Higher Animals: Duties to Sentient  John Mizzoni: “Against Rolston’s Defense of Eating
Life”
Animals”
Week 9: Animal Ethics: Do animals have rights?
10/28
 Martha Nussbaum: “Beyond ‘Compassion and
Humanity’: Justice for Nonhuman Animals”
10/30
 Term Paper Part 1 due to turnitin.com
 Class canceled.
Week 10: Animal Ethics: Pets and Food: What’s the difference?
11/4
11/6
 Bernie Rollin: “Reasonable Partiality and Animal
 Midterm Review
Ethics”
Week 11: Ethics of Friendship: What is the value of friendship?
11/11
11/13
 Aristotle on Friendship: “Nicomachean Ethics Book
 Aristotle on Friendship: “Nicomachean Ethics: Book IX”
VIII”
Week 12: Ethics of Sex and Love: Must sex involve commitment?
11/18
11/20
 Vincent C. Punzo: “Morality and Human Sexuality”
 Alan H. Goldman: “Plain Sex”
Week 13: Ethics of Sex & Love: What are the moral obligations of sex?
11/25
11/27 NO CLASS
 Dossie Easton, Janet W. Hardy: “The Ethical Slut”
Week 14: Ethics of Sex & Love: What is the value of marriage in a just society?
12/2
 Emma Goldman: “On the Tragedy of Woman’s
Emancipation, and Marriage and Love”
 Term Paper Part 2 due to turnitin.com
12/4
 Emma Goldman: “On the Tragedy of Woman’s
Emancipation, and Marriage and Love” (continued)
Week 15:
12/9 & 12/11
This week will be dedicated to (1) finishing up any readings we got behind on, and (2) writing workshops (students
will present on their topics to the class at large and receive feedback, both verbally, and in writing, from the class).
Finals Week
Your WordPress Site
Your site should have 5-6 pages in addition to your homepage where blog posts go.
 Home (or blog)
o


You reading blog posts will be here. Click ‘add new’ under ‘posts’ on your dashboard menu.
About Me
o
Name, major, year in school, outside interests
o
picture (optional)
Comments
o
I recommend that you cut and paste the comments from your “comments I’ve made” link on the
dashboard.

Glossary
o

Keep a glossary of vocabulary words you learn throughout the semester.
Assessment
o
This will be blank until the end of the semester when you write your argument for the grade you should
receive.