General Information

• Length: 18 weeks (Jan. 14 – May 24, 2019)
• Days: Thurs.
• Time: 6:00-8:50pm
• Place: Academic Center 1, Room 181, Clovis Community College
• Final Exam: Thurs., May 23, 6:00-8:00 pm

Download the syllabus (PDF; updated 2/13/19)

Course Description

This course examines key ethical theories, and includes application of theories to contemporary moral problems.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of major ethical theories, including Kantian deontology, utilitarianism, and virtue ethics.
2. Apply knowledge of major ethical theories to contemporary moral problems.
3. Compare and contrast competing ethical theories, and subject them to critical analysis and evaluation.
4. Create and revise arguments about moral theories, and on various contemporary moral issues.

Objectives

In the process of completing this course, you will:

1. Analyze, compare, and contrast major ethical theories, including Kantian deontological ethics, utilitarianism, and virtue ethics.
2. Compare and contrast major moral philosophers' attempts to answer key moral questions, such as, How should we live?, What is a good life?, What makes an action morally right?, and What is happiness?
3. Apply knowledge of major ethical theories to contemporary moral problems.
4. Consider the strengths and weaknesses of major moral theories, analyze and critically evaluate these theories.
5. Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of various applications of ethical theory to contemporary moral problems.
6. Create, evaluate, and revise arguments about major ethical theories, as well as about contemporary moral issues.

• Louis Pojman, & James Fieser. (2011) Ethics: Discovering Right and Wrong. 8th edition, Cengage Learning.
• I will make additional readings and supplementary literature available to you hereon Canvas.

Important Notes:

Academic Integrity

Academic dishonesty undermines your own learning and the whole educational system. There are several types of academic dishonesty. The most common is cheating, and also plagiarism, which is a kind of cheating. Plagiarism means using words, ideas, or arguments from another person or source without citation. During the first week of class, please read the document “What is Academic Dishonesty and Why is it Bad,” posted on Canvas. This will explain what academic dishonesty is and why you should always avoid it. Any act of academic dishonestly, including assisting a fellow student in cheating or plagiarism, will result in a ‘0’ for the assignment, and will be reported to the Dean of Students. Your first quiz in week 1 will contain some questions about academic dishonesty.

Accommodations

It is my goal to create a learning experience that is as accessible as possible. If you anticipate any issues related to the format, materials, or requirements of this course, please meet with me outside of class so we can explore potential options. Clovis Community College is committed to creating accessible learning environments consistent with federal and state law. To obtain academic adjustments or auxiliary aids, students must be registered with the Disabled Students Program and Services (DSP&S) office on campus. DSP&S can be reached at 559-325-5230 and is located in AC2-133. If you are already registered with the DSP&S office, please provide me your Notice of Accommodation form as soon as possible. You can visit the DSP&S website for additional information: https://www.cloviscollege.edu/student-services/student-support-programs/dsps/index.html. If you have a verified need for an academic accommodation or materials in alternate media (i.e. large print, electronic text, etc.) per the Americans With Disabilities Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, please contact me as soon as possible.