Department of Philosophy

PHL 210A -- Moral Philosophy

 
 
 

Semester: Spring 2000
When:  T - 2:00 PM to 2:52PM (Rest of the course is online)
Where: Doorley Hall D117
Office Hours: T-11 to 2 and by appointment
Instructor:  Dr. James E. Giles 
Office: 22 Hubert Place 
Phone: 914-637-2715 
Course Objectives and Description
Required Text and Online Resources
Grading Criteria
Course Outline
Class Outlines

Course Objectives:

By the end of the course, students should be able to understand:

Course Description:

An exploration into the nature of moral reasoning as it has been displayed in some of the most important texts of the moral tradition. The question, "How to live?" will be addressed in terms of moral perspectives drawn from Eastern or Western sources. Selected moral problems will be examined. 3 credits.

Required Text:

Online Resources:

The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Mill, John Stuart
On Liberty
Utilitarianism
Ethics Site
Text and self-paced exercises
Euthanasia Site
Kervorkian File
Supreme Court Decisions

Grading Criteria:

Policy on Academic Dishonesty:
Cheating on tests will result in failure of the test.  Cheating on the final examination will result in failure of the final examination and the course.

Attendance Policy:
Absence from a test: no make-up will be given.  An exception to this policy will be considered only if an extremely serious and verified reason is offered, e.g., a serious illness or injury verified in writing by a physician.  Absence from 9 or more classes (includes online assignments): if a student is doing unsatisfactory work, he or she may receive an FA grade.

Policy on Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty:
"Every effort will be made to ensure justice in any allegation of intellectual dishonesty.  In all cases, educational assistance rather than adversarial proceedings will be sought.  Sanctions may include receiving a failing grade in the course, and in the case of a second instance, dismissal from the college."

Course Outline:

Throughout the course, contemporary moral issues will be used to illustrate the topics being discussed.  Approximately three weeks will be devoted to each topic.  Specific readings and computer assignments will be given at the appropriate time.
 

Web-Based Discussion Group

After receiving instruction on how to participate in the discussion group, the class will be given assignments to be done on the computer.  In order to maximize interaction, students will post responses to the initial assignment and reply to the responses of other class members.  Assignments will consist of discussing readings, answering specific questions, doing research using the resources of the Web, and dealing with case studies.

Class Outlines

Class 1

Philosophy Department || Iona College