PHIL 1400.001Contemporary Moral Issues
Fall 2013
Mo/We/Fr. 9:00am-9:50amENV190
Instructor: Gordon Akon-Yamga
Office Location: EESAT 334
Office Hours:Mo, 1:00 pm-2:30pm
Th, 10:00am-11:30am and by appointment
Contact:
For prompt attention, please email me directly instead of through Blackboard
Course Description
This course is a lecture-based survey of basic ethical theories and exploration of such issues as euthanasia, immigration, national security and civil liberties, affirmative action, the death penalty, extramarital sex, pornography, animal rights, world hunger, and the environment.
Course Materials
Required Texts:Morality and Moral Controversies (Developed for UNT), Scalet and Arthur [9781269561099]
Recommended Texts:Writing Philosophy: A Student’s Guide to Writing Philosophical Essays by Lewis Vaughn [9780195179569]
The instructor will provide all other reading materials for this course. These readings, as well as other pertinent and helpful information, can be found on Blackboard. If you have any issues retrieving the readings, please let the instructor know.
Course Requirements and Grading
Attendance (10%)
In class I will give background information that your readings may lack and expand on ideas in the readings. Your classmates and I will raise questions that will challenge your thinking. You will engage in discussion with others in order to develop your understanding of the material. Thus, attendance counts. Participation is only possible if you are present in class and paying attention (not using electronic devices for non-class purposes etc.). I will take the roll for every class. It is your responsibility to alert me to your presence in class should you come in after the roll has been taken. In which case you must see me after the class to sign an attendance sheet
Note that UNT policy defines an excused absence as an absence due to a University-sponsored event, passing of a family member, religious holiday, or documented illness. Documentation is required.
Weekly Participation in Discussion Boards (15%)
You are required to contribute to weekly discussion board postings found on Blackboard. The purpose of these discussions is to develop your interpretation of the readings and communicate this interpretation clearly to the instructor and your peers. Usual standards of professionalism and courtesy apply. You must quote from the readings for the week and/or other independently researched material, and include a citation and bibliography to receive credit. Such referencing must follow an accepted style. Each weekly posting is worth 1 point.Discussion postsare due 8 am of every Monday.
Mid-Term Exam (20%)
The mid-term exam will cover the assigned content and readings from the first six weeks of the term. The exam is on Blackboard and will be primarily in a short-essay format with possible multiple choice and true/false questions. The date of the mid-term exam is: Friday, October 11, 2013.
Research paper (25%)
You are expected to write a Research Paper, no longer than 5 pages (1250 words), to be submitted in class on paper as well as submittinga soft copy through turnitin. You must remember to print your receipt after submission via turnitin. The paper is evaluated on structure (esp. clarity of thesis and path statements), and appropriate, critical, informative use of independent research. The paper must include references and a bibliography formatted using a professional style.
Final Exam (30%)
The final exam will cover the content and readings assigned after the mid-term; the final exam is not cumulative. The exam is on Blackboard and will be primarily in a short-essay format with possible multiple choice and true/false questions. The date of the final exam is: Wednesday, December 11 2013.
Grading policy: this course is graded according to the requirements specified and weighted above. Discussion postings and attendance receive a numerical grade; exams receive a letter grade. Letter and numerical grades are translatable on the following scale:
A = 90%+
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = 0-59%
Classroom Policies:
Late Assignment Policy: Since discussion posts are due 8 am of every Monday, no late posts are accepted unless you have a documented long-term emergency. Papers are due on paper in class and through turnitin on the due date. Extensions are only possible in case of a documented emergency, religious holiday, or other approved excuse discussed with the instructor before the assignment is due.
Missed Exam Policy: Midterm and final Examscannot be made up unless an alternative date is approved in advance,or because of a documented emergency.
Classroom Behavior: Respect must be shown for both the instructor and your fellow classmates at all times. This includes being on time for class, not leaving early, having your phone on silent (or off), refraining from disrespectful comments in online discussion, and any other actions that may be distracting to me or the class. Any disruptive, rude, or inappropriate behavior can and will result in grade penalizations and the loss of a daily attendance grade. Also, laptop, cell-phone, or other electronic device use of any kind is not allowed in my classroom.
Class Cancellation: In the event of class being cancelled (either in the event of the university closing or just a particular meeting of this class being cancelled), you should assume that any readings, assignments, or exams due on the day class is cancelled will instead be due at the next scheduled class meeting. Any necessary adjustments to the schedule will be announced at the next regular class meeting and posted on Blackboard.
Academic Conduct: Students are responsible for reading, understanding and knowing UNT’s Academic Dishonesty Policy that can be found at:
ODA Statement:
The University of North Texas makes reasonable academic accommodation for students with disabilities. Students seeking accommodation must first register with the Office of Disability Accommodation (ODA) to verify their eligibility. If a disability is verified, the ODA will provide you with an accommodation letter to be delivered to faculty to begin a private discussion regarding your specific needs in a course. You may request accommodations at any time, however, ODA notices of accommodation should be provided as early as possible in the semester to avoid any delay in implementation. Note that students must obtain a new letter of accommodation for every semester and must meet with each faculty member prior to implementation in each class. For additional information see the Office of Disability Accommodation website at You may also contact them by phone at 940.565.4323.
Drop/Withdrawal Information, and other Academic Dates:
September 12th – Students may drop the course only with written approval by instructor
October 8th – Last day that students are eligible to drop a course with a grade of W
October 19th – Mid-semester
November 22nd – Last day that students are eligible to drop a course with a grade of WF
November 28th & 29th – No classes due to Thanksgiving Break
December 6th – No classes due to University Reading Day
(Complete Academic Calendar Found here:
Class Schedule
This schedule is subject to change. Any changes will be announced in-class and on Blackboard. It is your responsibility to obtain the amended schedule provided by instructor. (NOTE: The reading assigned for each day is discussed that day, and should be read before the class meets.)
Week 18/28/13 / Course introduction: syllabus, classroom policies, exam dates, etc.
Moral Foundations
1. “The source of Moral Ideas: Society, Custom and Sympathy” by Edward Westermarck in MMC, pp.41-43
2. “Morality is based on sentiment” by David Hume in MMC, pp.50-56
Week 2
9/2/13* / What is Meant by Morality?
1. “Morality and Rational Self-Interest” by Baruch Brody in MMC, pp.10-18
2. “Morality, Religion, and Conscience” by John Arthur in MMC, pp.25-33
*Note: that 9/2/13 is a holiday hence there will be no class on that Monday.
Week 3
9/9/13 / Moral Relativism
1. “Trying Out One’s New Sword” by Mary Midgley in MMC, pp. 43-47
2. “Relativism in Ethics” by William H. Shaw in MMC, pp. 47-50
3. “Morality and Normativity” by Micheal J. Perry in MMC, pp.56-64
Week 4
9/16/13 / Virtue Ethics
1. “Nicomachean Ethics: Books I & II” by Aristotle in MMC, pp. 74-80
2. “Virtue Ethics” by Russ Shafer-Landau in The Fundamentals of Ethics, pp. 252 – 261 (Found on Blackboard)
Week 5
9/23/13 / Deontology
1. Selections from “The Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysics of Morals” by Immanuel Kant in MMC, pp. 81-85
2. Selections from “The Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysics of Morals” by Immanuel Kant in MMC, pp. 85-91
Week 6
9/30/13 / Utilitarianism
1. Selections from Utilitarianism by John Stuart Mill in MMC, pp. 90-97
2. Selections from “Consequentialism” by Russ Shafer-Landau in The Fundamentals of Ethics, pp. 120-132 (Found on Blackboard)
Week 7
10/7/13 / Mid-Term
1. Mid-Term Review- Mo10/7/13, We 10/9/13
2. Mid-Term Exam-Fr 10/11/13
Week 8
10/14/13 / Morality Reinterpreted
1. “What is Feminist Ethics?” by Hilde Lindemann in The Fundamentals of Ethics, pp. 150-161 (Found on Blackboard)
2. “Ethics of Moral Care as Moral Theory” by Virigina Held in MMC, pp. 115-121
3. Selections from On the Geneology of Morals: Prologue & Essay I by Fredreich Neitzsche in Ethics: History, Theory, and Contemporary Issues, pp.397-404
Week 9
10/21/13 / Topic - Life and Death
Medicine and Deciding Who Should Live (MMC, Ch.9) [16 pgs]
1. “Aging and the Ends of Medicine” by Daniel Callahan in MMC, pp. 324-331
2. “Active and Passive Euthanansia” by James Rachels in MMC, pp. 314-318
3. “An Alternative to the Ethic of Euthanasia” by Arthur J. Dyck in MMC, pp. 310-314
Week 10
10/28/13 / Topics - Personal Relationships
Family and Friendship (MMC, Ch. 11)
1. “Licensing Parents” by Hugh LaFollette in MMC, pp. 346-353
2. “What do Grown Children Owe Their Parents?” by Jane English in MMC, pp.368-371
Week 11
11/4/13 / Topics - Social and Economic Relationships
Markets, Property and Economic Justice (MMC, Ch.15) [18 pgs]
1.“Markets, Property, and Power” by Michael Walzer in MMC, pp. 467-470
2. “The Singer Solution to World Poverty” by Peter Singer in The Ethical Life, pp. 229-236 (Found on Blackboard)
3. Selections from “The Communist Manifesto” by Karl Marx & Frederich Engels in MMC, pp.471-479
Week 12
11/11/13 / Topic - Social and Economic Relationships
Race, Gender, and Affirmative Action (MMC, Ch.18)
1. “Separate but Equal?: Brown v. Board of Education” by The Supreme Court of the United States in MMC, pp.582-584
2. “On Racism and Sexism: Realities and Ideals” by Richard A. Wasserstrom in MMC, pp. 596-601
3. “Sexual Equality and Discrimination: Difference vs. Dominance” by Will Kymlicka in MMC, pp. 592-595
Week 13
11/18/13 / Topic - Social and Economic Relationships
Democracy, Globalization, and Corporate Responsibility (MMC, Ch.16)
1. “The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase its Profits” by Milton Friedman in MMC, pp. 515-519
2. “Real World Justice” by Thomas Pogge in MMC, pp. 503 – 509
Week 14
11/25/13 / Topics - Personal Relationships (THANKSGIVING BREAK 11/28-29/13)
Personal Dimensions of Technology (MMC, Ch. 12) [12 pgs]
1. “Is Google Making Us Stupid: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains” by Nicholas Carr in MCC, pp. 372 -378
2. “Alone Together” by Sherry Turkle in MMC, pp. 393-397
3. “Social Networking Sites and Our Lives” in MMC, pp. 390-392
*No class on Friday 11/29/13
Week 15
12/02/13 / Topic - Social and Economic Relationships
Immigration and Multicultural Studies (MMC, CH. 19)
1. “Reason before Identity” by Amartya Sen in MMC, pp. 661-667
2. “Multiculturalism: A Liberal Perspective” by Joseph Raz in MMC, pp. 655-661
Week 16
12/9/13 / 1. Research Paper Due----Mo 12/9/13
2. Final Exam Preparation------Mo 12/9/13
We 12/11/13 / Final Exam8:00 am – 10:00 am
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