PHIL C120: Ethics
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Top Code | 150900 - Philosophy |
| 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),
|
| Local General Education (GE) |
|
| California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) |
|
| Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) |
|
| California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth) |
|
Course Description
This course will examine the concepts of right, wrong, good, and bad in the light of classical moral theories. It will include a critical examination of the foundations of ethics and present numerous approaches to examine and resolve moral problems. Attention will be paid to the application of moral theories to contemporary issues. This course will help students hone their critical thinking skills and navigate the modern world's complex ethical landscape. Recommended for all philosophy, business, and Information Technology (IT) majors, as well as all prospective medical and law students. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC. C-ID: PHIL 120.C-ID: PHIL 120.
Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)
- Identify and apply major ethical theories, terms, and principles in the Western philosophical tradition.
- Evaluate the argumentative structure and justifications given in defense of various ethical theories and specific ethical issues.
- Demonstrate the ability to defend ethical positions and judgments in a principled way, by supplying arguments and evidence. This is to be distinguished from mere assertion of personal values and arguments that are fallacious on casual inspection.
Course Objectives
- 1. Identify and apply major ethical theories, terms, and principles in the Western analytic tradition. These shall include, but not be limited to, Utilitarianism, Kants deontology, virtue ethics, and social-contract theory.
- 2. Evaluate the argumentative structure and justifications given in defense of various ethical theories and specific ethical issues.
- 3. Demonstrate the ability to defend ethical positions and judgments in a principled way, by supplying arguments and evidence. This is to be distinguished from mere assertion of personal values and arguments that are fallacious on casual inspection.
Lecture Content
Ethical Reasoning Ethical Traditions, including but not limited to: Utilitarianism Kants Deontology Virtue Ethics Social Contract Theory Applied Ethics, which may include, but is not limited to, the following: Abortion Ethics in Journalism Ethics of Medical Research Ethics of Cloning and/or Genetic Engineering Ethics in Personal Relationships Euthanasia and Physician-assisted Suicide The Death Penalty Legal ethics Ethics in the Military Ethics in Government Sexual Morality Pornography and Censorship Sexism, Racism, Hate Speech, and Oppression Economic Justice and Welfare World Hunger and Global Justice Animal Rights The War on Drugs The Environment
Method(s) of Instruction
- Lecture (02)
- DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
- DE Online Lecture (02X)
- Video one-way (ITV, video) (63)
Instructional Techniques
Methods of instruction may include the following: PowerPoint lectures or Video Lectures In-class group work Group projects Class discussion Games/simulations
Reading Assignments
Reading assignments will include textbook chapters. Students may also be required to read supplementary articles, links, and any research required for assignments.
Writing Assignments
There will be at least one course paper. Online courses will require regular forum posts. Tests and quizzes may require short essay answers. In evaluating these arguments students will find it useful, or even necessary, to research support for their claims, and/or to evaluate the evidence that others use to justify their own claims. The library provides one good resource for this.
Out-of-class Assignments
Students will be required to evaluate the ethical arguments of others and generate ethical arguments of their own. In doing so they may do research to support their conclusions, or sharpen their understanding of the material.
Demonstration of Critical Thinking
Students will demonstrate critical thinking abilities through objective tests and writing assignments. They will be required both to generate ethical arguments of their own and to evaluate of those of others.
Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration
Students will be required both to generate and analyze ethical arguments through writing. They will be expected to break down and explain their reasoning in a step-by-step manner.
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 Sliff, Bob. Philosophy 120 Student Handbook, 2017 ed. Coastline Community College Graphics and Publications, 2017 Rationale: - 2. Required Mappes, Thomas A.; Zembaty, Jane S. Social Ethics: Morality and Social Policy, 8th ed. McMillan, 2011 Rationale: - Legacy Textbook Transfer Data: Legacy text 3. Required Rosenstand, Nina. The Moral of the Story, An Introduction to Ethics ISBN:978-0-07-803842-6 (paperback), 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, 2013 Rationale: - Legacy Textbook Transfer Data: Legacy text 4. Required Rachels, J; Rachels, S. The Elements of Moral Philosophy, 9th ed. Mc Graw, 2018 Rationale: - 5. Required Rachels, J. The Right Thing to Do, 6th ed. Mc Graw, 2011 Rationale: - Legacy Textbook Transfer Data: Legacy text 6. Required Deigh, J. An Introduction to Ethics (Cambridge Introductions to Philosophy), ed. Cambridge University Press, 2012 Rationale: - Legacy Textbook Transfer Data: Legacy text
Other Resources
1. Coastline Library 2. Additional supplemental readings, as required to fulfill or supplement course requirements and/or provide material for applied ethics sections. These may include online readings from such sources as the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Wikipedia, and others.