PHIL A120: Ethics
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Curriculum Committee Approval Date | 02/09/2022 |
| Top Code | 151000 - Religious Studies |
| Units | 3 Total Units |
| Hours | 54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54) |
| Total Outside of Class Hours | 0 |
| Course Credit Status | Credit: Degree Applicable (D) |
| Material Fee | No |
| Basic Skills | Not Basic Skills (N) |
| Repeatable | No |
| Grading Policy | Standard Letter (S),
|
| Associate Arts Local General Education (GE) |
|
| Associate Science Local General Education (GE) |
|
| Global and Multicultural Requirement (OGM) | Yes |
| California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) |
|
| Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) |
|
| California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth) |
|
Course Description
An introduction to ethical theories and problems. An analysis of the theories and principles on which moral judgments are based and the way these judgments are used in moral problems such as abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, sexual equality, discrimination, censorship, and economic justice. Special attention will be given to the kinds of arguments used in ethical discussion. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC. C-ID: PHIL 120.C-ID: PHIL 120.
Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)
- Differentiate among moral theories and use them to evaluate and critically analyze an ethical issue.
Course Objectives
- 1. Explain what ethics is.
- 2. Identify a logical ethical argument.
- 3. Evaluate various ethical theories critically.
- 4. Identify attributes and possible drawbacks of a relativistic approach to ethics.
- 5. Explain the egoistic model of ethics and relate it to an economic system.
- 6. Analyze a moral dilemma using a utilitarian approach.
- 7. Explain Kants Categorical Imperative and his use of the term Good Will.
- 8. Describe Aristotles approach to ethics and explain the concept of the Golden Mean.
- 9. Justify a feminist/care approach to ethics.
- 10. Articulate a defense of a position on the following moral issues: abortion, euthanasia, sexual equality, discrimination, economic justice, capital punishment, censorship.
Lecture Content
Introduction to Ethics What ethics is/what philosophy is How to make a logical argument Role of reason in ethical argumentation Ethical Relativism Relativism as opposed to objectivism types of relativism Individual Relativism/Subjectivism Advantages and drawbacks of relativistic approach Egoism Universal and individual egoism Relation to capitalism Evaluation of egoistic approach Utilitarianism Classical theory: Bentham, Mill Modern theory (Singer, etc.) Deontological Ethics Biographical sketch of Kant Overview of work Categorical Imperative, forms 1 2 Good will, autonomy Virtue Ethics Aristotle, Nichomachean ethics Golden Mean Modern approaches to virtue ethics Natural Law Ethics Aquinas synthesis of Aristotle/Christianity Definitions and interpretations of term "Natural" Social Contract Ethics State of nature Hobbes, Rawls: interpretations of states of nature Feminist Ethics Origins Recent developments Implications for other ethical theories Euthanasia Ancient traditions Current thinking and practices Philosophical arguments for and against Abortion History, global perspective Current laws and practice Philosophical arguments for and against Censorship Governmental control/community control Limits/arguments for and against First Amendment applications Pornography Sexual Equality Historical perspective Gender e quity Discrimination Historical and global perspective Arguments for and against affirmative action Economic Justice Exploration of theories/effects of Marxism, capitalism, socialism, libertarianism Distributive justice, welfare Capital Punishment Role of punishment Rehabilitation, corrections Arguments for and against Current practice Environmental Ethics Global and historical perspective Deep ecology Current thinking Animal Rights Speciesism, role/obligation of humanity Vegetarianism Arguments from various perspectives Modern Medicine and Morality End-of-life issues Newer issues (stem cell research, embryonic tissue, cloning) Global Issues Warfare Human rights Terrorism
Method(s) of Instruction
- Lecture (02)
- DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
- DE Online Lecture (02X)
Instructional Techniques
1. Lecture and explanation of topic concepts 2. Questioning of students during lecture to encourage active listening 3. Small-group discussion 4. Videos of current topical interest followed by discussion 5. Socratic method of questioning in class before and after lectures 6. Written feedback on written work 7. Reading and discussion of newspaper articles highlighting relevant moral issues 8. Handouts as needed to provide background material for discussion
Reading Assignments
Students will spend on average 2-3 hours per week on assigned readings from texts.
Writing Assignments
Students will spend on average 2 hours per week on: Argumentative essays Essays comparing and contrasting ethical theories Essay questions for midterm
Out-of-class Assignments
Students will spend on average 2-3 hours per week on: Analytic papers Reading reactions and reflections Argumentative essays
Demonstration of Critical Thinking
1. Attendance2. Response on several objective exams of factual material relating to various theories3. Written papers (2) defending a stance on moral issue of their choice4. Midterm written exam5. Objective final exam
Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration
Written midterm exam: 1. Demonstrate knowledge of at least two ethical theories 2. Compare and contrast two theories 3. Provide short answers to problems of theory application Opinion papers: 1. Choose an ethical issue of interest to the student 2. Choose a position on this issue 3. Analyze the issue for fundamental principles 4. Defend the position taken, using logical argumentation 5. Explain which moral theory learned in class supports this position 6. Cite an outside source (not from their textbook) which supports this position
Eligible Disciplines
Philosophy: Masters degree in philosophy OR bachelors degree in philosophy AND masters degree in humanities or religious studies, OR the equivalent. Masters degree required.
Textbooks Resources
1. Required MacKinnon, B. Ethics: Theory and Contemporary Issues, , ed. New York: Wadsworth, 2018 2. Required Rosenstand, N. . The Moral of the Story. , ed. Chicago: Mayfield, 2015 3. Required White, J. . Contemporary Moral Problems, ed. Los Angeles: West, 2017