Academic Catalogs

PHIL G120: Ethics

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 10/20/2020
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), 
  • Pass/No Pass (B)
Local General Education (GE)
  • GWC Arts, Lit, Phil, Lang (GC)
California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)
  • Cal-GETC 3B Humanities (3B)
Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)
  • IGETC 3B Humanities (3B)
California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth)
  • CSU C2 Humanities (C2)

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 moral problems. Particular attention will be paid to the application of moral theories to contemporary issues. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC. C-ID: PHIL 120. C-ID: PHIL 120.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Course Outcomes
  2. Explain traditions in ethics, from classical to modern philosophers, and apply them to contemporary moral problems.
  3. Distinguish philosophical approaches to ethics from other approaches (scientific, religious, etc.).
  4. Compare and contrast alternative ethical systems.

Course Objectives

  • 1. Describe the characteristics of major ethical theories.
  • 2. Evaluate the application of major ethical theories to contemporary moral problems.
  • 3. Compare, contrast, and critique competing moral theories.
  • 4. Analyze philosophical arguments.

Lecture Content

The Nature of Ethics Contrast with religion, law, and science Objective vs. subjective views on morality Contemporary moral issues Topics in bioethics (ie, abortion, euthanasia) Environmental and/or animal ethics The role of happiness and pleasure in ethics Egoism and hedonism Applied topics in utilitarianism Existentialism Duty and fairness Respect for persons Contractualism Moral theories Consequentialism Kantian Deontology Virtue Ethics Nietzsche

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Lecture (02)
  • DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
  • DE Online Lecture (02X)

Reading Assignments

Classical readings on ethics and/or moral problems.

Writing Assignments

Short essay exams, research papers, or analytical papers. There must be some writing assignment in the course.

Out-of-class Assignments

Analytical and/or research papers, optional discussion boards, or exams.

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

1. Analyze the structure of ethical writing 2. Analyze arguments in ethics, identifying premises and conclusions 3. Evaluate ethical arguments 4. Apply ethical positions to cases 5. Identify consequences and implications of ethical positions 6. Compare and contrast different ethical theories

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Analysis of classical moral theories and their applications to contemporary problems.

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 Levin, Noah (ed). Introduction to Ethics: An Open Educational Resource (OER), 1st ed. N.G.E. Far Press, 2019 Rationale: -

Other Resources

1. Selections from primary sources (Open Educational Resources)