• Morality and Moral Controversies, ed. John Arthur, Seventh Edition (Prentice Hall)

• [additional photocopies and on-line texts (on-line texts available through the "Assignments" page at the course website—on-campus access only)]

The purpose of this class is to gain familiarity with and appreciation for reflective moral reasoning. The objective will not be to reach a decisive agreement as a class on the topics in question.  Rather, we will seek to establish a framework within which we can each individually formulate thoughtful and coherent views on moral issues which can be rationally defended.  Opinions on moral issues are ones which people become attached to emotionally and tend to cling to tenaciously.  Rational reflection and deliberation on moral issues therefore does not always come easy.  However, if there is a way in which we can bring reason to bear on these issues, we can make some progress toward resolving moral disagreements.  Part of the task of treating ethical issues in a rational manner is the acquisition of a common vocabulary by which we can then make distinctions and articulate more clearly our own views.  Disagreements about moral issues can then become more than a clash of opinions—they can be the beginning of dialogue.  It is the aim of this class to promote this reflective approach to moral issues in hopes of establishing dialogue between various opinions. 

One of the main reasons for studying philosophy in general is to develop our ability to think carefully and critically. The overriding objective of this course, then, is to enable students to be reflective about the beliefs that they or their society have developed. However, the ability to think reflectively does not develop independently from the ability to read critically and perceptively or the ability to express ourselves clearly. Thus, in this course we will seek to advance our reading comprehension as well as our communication skills, both oral and written.

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Each student will be expected to attend class regularly and to have prepared the reading for each class.  If there is a legitimate reason that you will not be able to attend class, please notify the instructor beforehand. Without such notice, absences will count against your class participation grade. There will be opportunity for students to participate in class discussions and from time to time there will also be in-class writing exercises that pertain to the readings and which will serve as a springboard for these discussions. This class also includes a web-based discussion room (see course website), where students can pose and respond to questions related to course materials.  On occasion the instructor may require students to post a question or a response to the electronic discussion group. A class participation grade will be assigned on the basis of attendance, preparation, and quality of class participation (including in-class writing exercises and on-line forums).  This grade will be equal to one paper grade (one-sixth of course grade).   

This class is designated as writing emphasis and will stress accordingly the development of writing skills. Two papers of four to five pages in length will be required (see syllabus for tentative due dates). The topics for these papers will be assigned at least one week prior to their due date. These papers may be rewritten and resubmitted after they have been evaluated by the instructor (and on occasion rewrites may be required). There will be no specific due dates for voluntary rewrites (although none will be accepted after the last class day) and there is no maximum number of times that a student may submit a rewritten paper. When submit¬ting rewrites, please include the previously submitted versions (only significantly revised papers, please). The grade for rewritten papers will replace the previous grade if the new grade is higher.  The two paper grades will be weighted equally (each counts one-sixth of the course grade).

Each student will also be required to complete three examinations over the course of the semester.  Each exam will be weighted equally (one sixth of course grade).

The final course grade is composed as follows: 1/6th = class participation grade; 3/6ths = three exam grades; 2/6ths = two paper grades.

Plagiarism is the use of someone else’s words or ideas without acknowledgement and, when intentional, is a form of academic dishonesty. The unacknowledged use of words or ideas from any published or unpublished sources, including Internet resources or other student papers, constitutes plagiarism.  Any ideas or information the student adopts from a source, whether or not directly quoted, must be acknowledged by specific reference in notes or the text. Any words or phrases that are taken from a source must be quoted and cited. Any paraphrase—the restatement of an idea in your own words—must be cited. Students who commit plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty will be disciplined according to procedures outlined in the Coe Catalog.

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