Dr. Shannon Kincaid's SS-630 Course Page

Ethics: Theories of Good Life

Course # PHIL 130 - 3 credit hrs

Shannon Kincaid, Ph.D.

Catalogue Description

Basic concepts and problems of ethics. Nature of values, virtue, moral judgment, and obligation considered and illustrated through writings of the major philosophers of the Western tradition, including Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Spinoza, Kant, Moore, and Stevenson.

Course Description

This course serves as an introductory survey of the diverse philosophical approaches to questions of morality and ethics.  Through the analysis of classical and contemporary texts, as well as some of the important ethical dilemmas facing modern society, students will be introduced to the concepts of value, duty, moral judgment, obligation, and justice.  Theorists discussed in class will range from the ancient Greek and Eastern perspectives, divine command theories, classical and modern Western ethics, and contemporary perspectives (including feminism, cultural perspectives, and the relativistic critiques of ethics).  Students will also develop their capacity to analyze abstract concepts, to think critically about moral problems, and to write clearly.

General Course Objectives

Communicate effectively through reading, writing, listening and speaking

Use analytical reasoning to identify issues or problems and evaluate evidence in order to make informed decisions

Students will critically evaluate ethical theories

Students will construct written essays, responses, and/or papers demonstrating the use of evidence-based information in drawing conclusions about issues in ethics

 “Flexible Core” Objectives

Students will understand ethical theories effectively through readings in the textbook and ancillary documents and articles on a diversity of ethical and perspectives

Students will identify the fundamental concepts and methods of ethics and how these can e used to better understand the relationship between the individual and society.

Differentiate and make informed decisions about issues based on multiple value systems

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the appropriate use of ethical theories in analyzing different ethical perspectives.

Students will draw conclusions about societal institutions and individual beliefs based on the methods of ethical analysis

Required Textbooks and Readings

Gregory, Wanda Torres, and Giancola, Donna.  2003.  World Ethics.  Belmont:  Thomson Wordsworth.

Course Requirements                                                                         Total Possible Points

1 Midterm Examination                                                                               25

1 Final Examination                                                                                    25

1 Journal (4-6 entries)                                                                                10

1 Term Paper (6-10 pages)                                                                         30

Attendance and Class Participation                                                            10                          

                                                                                                                100 Points

 Polices on Grading and Attendance

Attendance is MANDATORY.  Each unexcused absence (after 2) will be assigned a five percent reduction in the overall course grade. 

Please be punctual, as excessive lateness will be penalized.  Every two “latenesses” will be counted as one absence.  Also, any student who is more than 15 minutes late for class will be not receive credit for that day’s attendance.

                There will be NO late assignments accepted without a written excuse.

Readings MUST be completed prior to class.  The instructor reserves the right to conduct periodic checks (including random checks of individual preparedness, as well as short, unannounced quizzes) to ensure required readings are completed on time.

Cheating and plagiarism in any form will not be tolerated.  Students submitting plagiarized materials will receive a score of zero for the assignment, with additional penalties assigned at the instructor’s discretion.

Students are expected to participate in classroom discussions and debates.  Failure to do so will result in grade reductions assigned at my discretion.

Disruptive behavior (lateness, lack of respect for other students and their ideas, cell-phone use (please refrain from takin pictures during class), text-messaging, failure to follow basic rules of classroom etiquette, etc.) will NOT be tolerated.

Course Outline

1. Course Introduction
   1. Course Introduction, Overview, Handouts, etc.
   2. What is Philosophy?
   3. An Introduction to Argumentation and Logic.
2. Foundations of Ethics
   1. Types of Ethical Theories:  Normative, Descriptive, and Meta-ethical Perspectives
   2. G.E. Moore and the Scope of Ethical Inquiry
3. Ancient Theories of Ethics
   1. The Ancient Greeks
   2. The Asian Traditions
4. Classical European Ethical Theory
   1. Hedonism and Utilitarianism
   2. Deontology
5. Twentieth Century Western Approaches to Ethics
   1. John Rawls
   2. Alasdair MacIntyre
   3. Feminist and Cultural Approaches to Western Ethics
   4. Critiques of Ethics:  Marx and Nietzsche
   5. Feminist and Cultural Approaches to Western Ethics
   6. Critiques of Ethics:  Marx and Nietzsche

Statement on Students with Disabilities

Any student who feels that he/she may need an accommodation based upon the impact of a disability should contact me privately to discuss your specific needs. Please contact the office of Services for Students with Disabilities in Science Building, room 132 (718 631 6257) to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities.