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PHILOSOPHY 22
Introduction to Ethical Theory
Term: Spring 2015
Meeting time: M/W 5:00-6:45
Location: Baskin Auditorium 101
Instructor: Amena Coronado
E-mail: [email protected]
Office Hours: M 2:30-3:30, Cowell Annex, 107
Overview
Materials
This class offers students a brief introduction to the moral theories developed in
All required readings will be included in
a reader that is available at the Bay Tree
Bookstore on campus.
Western philosophy, with an emphasis on what might be at the foundation of moral
value and the guiding principles for how to be and how to behave.
Accommodations
Goals
Upon successful completion of the course students will be able to: [1] demonstrate a
basic understanding of the ethical theories and themes discussed in the course and [2]
demonstrate an ability to critically engage those theories and themes as they arise in
every day experiences. My hope is that this course will form a foundation for you to
pursue the questions that arise from your own experiences.
Any student needing accommodation
based on the impact of a disability
should contact me privately to discuss
specific needs. Students with documented disabilities should first contact
the Disabilities Resource Center (4592089) to coordinate accommodations.
Requirements
The heart of this course will be the dialogue that is produced through participation in
Technology
small group workshops. To support the good health of that dialogue, students will be
This will be a technology-free zone aside
from what we work on together. No
computers, tablets, mp3 players, cell
phones—nothing that requires batteries
or a charger. Just us. Cell phones must
to be on silent or turned off during class.
Do not answer or text on your phone
while you are in the classroom. If you
do, you will be asked to leave.
required to submit critical notes (on readings and class discussion) along with each
workshop video. In addition, there will be a final in the form of a project that asks
students to demonstrate understanding and critical engagement with the material
used in class. No email submissions will be accepted for any assignment. No work will
be accepted late.
Evaluation
Workshops
65% (65 points)
Project
35% (35 points)
Schedule
Protocol
ATTENDANCE is expected, in class and section. If you miss more than two section
meetings, your final grade will be lowered by one step (B to B-, for example), and will
continue to drop as additional absences accrue. If you miss an assignment without
prior approval or documented emergency you will not be allowed a make up. In
addition to being rude, TARDINESS is distracting to other students. Please be on
time. If you PLAGIARIZE or otherwise CHEAT you will receive an F for the course.
Please see the university’s policy for more information.
Teaching Assistants
Chris Chitty
Brett Dinovo
Abe Joyal
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Introduction to Ethical Theory
sections A, B, C
sections D, E, F
sections G, H, I
The syllabus — reading assignments or
assignment due dates — may change
over the course of the term. Students
will receive an updated schedule if that
becomes necessary.
Grade Scale
Grade
%
A B+ B B-‐ C+ C D 90-‐100 87-‐89 83-‐86 80-‐82 77-‐79 71-‐76 60-‐70 Spring 2015
COURSE SCHEDULE
1 : INTRODUCTION
M ARCH 30 – A PRIL 5
6 : HUME
I NTRODUCTION
R ACHELS
H UME
“A Short Introduction to Moral Philosophy”
C OLLIER
M AY 4 – M AY 10
selection from An Enquiry Concerning Human
Understanding
“Hume’s Theory of Moral Imagination”
5/10: workshop 3 due
2 : P L A T O & ARISTOTLE
A PRIL 6 – A PRIL 12
7 : KANT
R OSENSTAND “The Good Life”
A RISTOTLE
K ANT
selection from Foundations of Metaphysics of
Morals
O’N EILL
“Kant & Utilitarianism Contrasted”
Y OUNG
“The Primacy of Duties to self in Kant’s moral
theory”
selection from Nicomachean Ethics
4/12: workshop 1 due
3 : EPICUREANISM
A PRIL 13 – A PRIL 19
E PICURUS
“Letter to Menoeceus”
C ICERO
“On Epicurean Ethics”
C AREL
“My 10-year Death Sentence”
M AY 11 – M AY 17
8 : MILL
M AY 18 – M AY 24
M ILL
selection from Utilitarianism
M ILL
“Of the Liberty of Thought & Discussion”
5/24: workshop 4 due
4 : STOICISM
A PRIL 20 – A PRIL 26
S TRIKER
selection from Following Nature
S ENECA
“On the Shortness of Life”
9 : NIETZSCHE
N IETZSCHE
M AY 25 – M AY 31
selection from On the Genealogy of Morality
4/26: workshop 2 due
5 : HOBBES
A PRIL 27 – M AY 3
1 0 : 2 0 TH C ENTURY D ILEMMAS
J UNE 1 – J UNE 7
H OBBES
selection from Leviathan
C AMUS
“Neither Victims Nor Executioners”
R AWLS
“Civil Disobedience & the Social Contract”
K ING , JR.
“Letter from Birmingham Jail”
6/7: workshop 5 due
6/11: project due
LIST OF DUE DATES
WORKSHOP 1
WORKSHOP 2
WORKSHOP 3
WORKSHOP 4
WORKSHOP 5
PROJECT
WEEK 2
WEEK 4
WEEK 6
WEEK 8
WEEK 10
EXAM WEEK
SUNDAY, APRIL 12
SUNDAY, APRIL 26
SUNDAY, MAY 10
SUNDAY, MAY 24
SUNDAY, JUNE 7
THURSDAY, JUNE 11
ALL ASSIGNMENTS DUE AT NOON ON ASSIGNED DAY.
(SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE… BUT ONLY IF REALLY, REALLY NECESSARY.)
Introduction to Ethical Theory
Spring 2015