04/06/06

COURSE TITLE:      Philosophy 1112-01 Ethics

CREDITS:                 3

PREREQUISITES:  None

TIME:                          9-9:50am, Monday, Wednesday, Friday

PLACE:                     LA 133

INSTRUCTOR:         Doug Knapp (Office: Business Building, 2nd Floor, Room B217)

                                   Phone: 651-450-8560 (Includes voice mail); Background/Interests

                                   E-mail: dknapp@inverhills.edu

OFFICE HOURS:    1-2pm, MWThF; or by appointment.

TEXTBOOK:   Consider Ethics: Theory, Readings, and Contemporary Issues  Bruce N. Waller  Supplemental (not required): Studying Philosophy by John Arthur; White House website dealing with the Iraq War; Neo-Conned also dealing with the War.

OBJECTIVES:

1.  Contend with some of the basic problems in practical and theoretical ethics.

2.  Examine classical and contemporary theoretical perspectives, and topics in applied ethics.

3.  Work hard, enjoy the discussion, be open to new ideas from others in class and from the text, be willing to influence and be influenced, and try to become a better person.

SCHEDULE OF CLASS MEETINGS:  (date, tentative reading assignment which should be completed before class on the listed date):

1/9       Introduction

1/11   Preface, p. xiii-xiv and part of Chapter 1, p. 1-6 (paragraph 1)

1/13   Chapter 1, p. 6-15

1/16     No Class-Holiday

1/18     Selection from Chapter 1 exercises

1/20     Chapter 2, p. 18-24 (para. 1)

1/23     Chapter 2, p. 24-29

1/25     Chapter 2 exercises

1/27     Chapter 3, p. 32-35

1/30     Chapter 3, p. 36-41

2/1       Chapter 3, p. 41-44

2/3       Chapter 4, p. 47-53

2/6       Chapter 4, p. 53-57

2/7       Student Success Day (extra credit)

2/8       Chapter 4, p. 57-60

2/10     Chapter 5, p. 64-68

2/13     Chapter 5, p. 68-73

2/15     Chapter 5, p. 73-77

2/17     Test

2/20     No Class - Holiday

2/22     Chapter 6, p. 79-83

2/24     No Class

2/27     Chapter 6, p. 84-90

3/1       Chapter 6, p. 90-93

3/3       Chapter 7, p. 96-104

3/6, 3/8, 3/10   No Class – Spring Break

3/13     Chapter 7, p. 104-109

3/15     Chapter 7, exercises p. 110-112

3/17     Chapter 8, p. 114-121

3/20     Chapter 8, p. 121-128

3/22     Chapter 8 exercises

3/24     Chapter 9, p. 133-143

3/27     Chapter 9, p. 143-148

3/29     Chapter 9 exercises

3/31     Test

4/3       Chapter 10, p. 151-159

4/5       Chapter 10, p. 159-163

4/7       No Class

4/10     Chapter 10 exercises

4/12     Chapter 11, p. 165-171

4/14     Chapter 11, p. 172-174

4/17   Chapter 12, p. 176-182

4/19   Chapter 12, p. 182-183

4/21     Chapter 13, p. 185-195

4/24     Chapter 13, p. 195-201

4/26     Chapter 13, p. 201-209

4/28     Chapter 15 selection

5/1       Chapter 15 selection

5/3       Chapter 15 selection

5/10     Wednesday, Final Test, 8-10am

CLASSROOM PROCEDURES:  Some lecture and small and large group discussion; some writing outside and within class; tests and some quizzes; some panel discussions and inclass summaries.

METHOD OF EVALUATION:  For purposes of grading the approximate weight for each method of evaluation is as follows:

            Three Tests                                                     60%

            Attendance/Participation/Staying

            Focused/Avoiding Tardiness/

            Following Groundrules                                   20%

            Occasional Writes/Quizzes                           15%

            Summaries/Panel Discussions                       5%

TESTS:  Tests will have both objective (multiple choice, true/false) and essay components.  Everyone takes the tests at the same time.  Plus, students are expected to turn in assignments when they are scheduled.  If an extraordinary circumstance or emergency does arise, the possibility of a makeup test must be cleared with the instructor in advance of the scheduled test.  In that circumstance the student must be prepared to makeup a test promptly.  Plus, only one emergency situation is permitted.  Tests may not be made up after they have been returned to the class.  Grades will be given approximately as follows:  A (90-100%); B (80-89%); C (70-79%); D (60-69%); F (59% or below).

ATTENDANCE:  The class isn't set up to be a correspondence course.  Attendance and participation are important components of the class.  By the way, if you intend to withdraw from the course for any reason, then it is important to know that the student usually has to initiate and complete the formal withdrawal procedure.

OCCASIONAL WRITES (outside and inside class) and QUIZZES:  Writes will be used occasionally throughout the semester.  The primary goal of this writing is to help you improve your mastery of the subject matter.  Occasionally such writes are used just prior to small group discussion.  Occasional quizzes will provide an incentive to do the reading before coming to class.

SUMMARIES/PANEL DISCUSSIONS:  Many of the textbook selections, both those dealing with theoretical as well as applied ethics, are quite clear and understandable, and can be adequately summarized by students who are coming to the subject matter for the first time.  Sure, some of the readings are difficult, but then the summaries can still be accomplished simply by taking more time.  Such summaries may be required of each individual student and sometimes of panels where the summary work is divided up.

SMALL & LARGE GROUP DISCUSSION:  Following the guidelines for small and large group discussion is very important.  Not following this guideline could be a factor in lowering your grade.  One of the most important guidelines concerns the avoidance of side-conversations.

DISABILITY SERVICES:  I would like to make sure that all the materials, discussions and activities that are part of the course are accessible to you.  If you would like to request accommodations or other services, please contact me as soon as possible.  It is also possible to contact the Disability Services Office, L-224; phone, 651-450-8628; TTY, 651-450-8369.

HONESTY/DISHONESTY:  Be honest.  For example, give credit where credit is due in your essay work.  Don't misrepresent your attendance.