Arizona State University, West campus

PHI 306 Applied Ethics

Semester hours: 3

Section: 78666

Instructor: Owen Anderson

Office: FAB N274

Office Hours:  by appointment

Phone: 602-543-6027

E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Required text:  Applied Ethics: A Multicultural Approach, eds. May, Collins-Chobanian, and Wong

Description: This course examines contemporary public policy issues, applying ethical theories and concepts to these issues.  Students read and evaluate arguments on both sides of these issues, and practice the art of philosophical argumentation, constructing their point of view.  It will discuss topics such as: Modern moral theories; consequentialist, deontological, and teleological methods of moral reasoning; issues of equal rights and public policy, e.g. affirmative action, woman’s rights; theories of distributive and retributive justice and public policy, poverty, and human rights, international law, multicultural and common morality, e.g. euthanasia, abortion, environmental ethics.

Objectives:  Students will be evaluated based on written and oral demonstration of the following:

1.  Sensitivity to the moral issues represented in the readings, lectures, and class discussions.

2.  Ability to accurately and appropriately:  articulate moral concepts and theories; recognize ethical issues in the case studies; and apply the moral concepts and theories to the cases.

3.  Ability to provide reasons and rationally argue, for or against, a position that answers the assigned question(s).

4.  Recognition of the difference between an economic justification and a moral justification.

5.  Progress in refining each of these abilities throughout the semester.

Interest in critically examining the subject matter and one’s own beliefs.

College level academic ability

2 hours of study outside of class for every hour in class

Attendance/Participation

            Class participation is determined by consistent, appropriate participation.  The professor is the judge of what is consistent and appropriate participation.  A student that talks during class (to another student) will not only lose participation points, but attendance points as well.  Talking to other students during class is rude and disruptive.  Also, unless there is an emergency that I am notified about before class, cell phones, pagers, etc. are to be turned off.  Students are expected to have read the material before class discussion.  Missing 2 day classes or 1 night class will result in a 5% deduction from the student’s grade.  Class participation is graded with a very high standard – you will not get these points by merely attending and participating once or twice.

Quizzes: 10%

            There are oral and written quizzes at the beginning of each class.  These are intended to encourage students to meet the studying requirements.  Students can prepare 3x5 cards for use during the quizzes.

            There will be three exams on the dates listed on the semester outline.  These will consist of 10 short essay questions.  These exams are not comprehensive but cover material since the last essay exam.

Grade Breakdown:

A+ = 98-100%

A   = 94-97%

A-  = 90-93%

B+ = 88-89%

B   = 84-87%

B-  = 80-83%

C+ = 78-79%

C = 70-77%

D = 60-69%

E = 59% and below

I interpret grades as follows:

A = A superior performance, extraordinary effort, well-written and coherent answers.  Student grasps the basic ideas of the course, can explain those ideas, and can discuss and elaborate on those ideas.

B = Good and above average work, strong effort at understanding ideas covered in class, well-written answers, minimum requirements for course met in a conscientious manner.  Student grasps the basic ideas of the course and can explain them.

C= Average work, minimum requirements met, inconsistent, and weak grasp of ideas covered in class.  Student grasps the basic ideas of the course but cannot explain, discuss, or elaborate on them.

D = Passing, but with major flaws, poorly written answers, failure to meet some requirements. Student does not grasp the basic ideas of the course.  Students should be aware that although a D is a passing grade some university programs require a C grade or above for a course to count towards completion of a degree. Please consult with your academic advisor in your college.

E = Failure, poor quality or missing work, disregard of directions and requirements, work is unacceptable.  Student has not grasped even the most basic ideas of the course.

If you have any concerns with your grades, please read all comments and make an appointment to discuss your understanding of the work, comments, and assigned question(s).  Please do not come with grade-oriented (about the grade versus about the work, material, understanding, etc) complaints or at the last minute in the semester.  I do not negotiate grades; either during or after the term is over.  I do not have conversations about what grade you need to get in order to keep a scholarship, get into a desired program, etc.

Please get someone’s name and number in class, and if you are absent arrange to get his or her notes.

Withdrawals:  The instructor will NOT withdraw a student for any reason.  Specifically, students should be aware that non-attendance will NOT automatically result in their being dropped from the course. Thus, a student should not assume they are no longer registered for a course simply because they did not attend class during the first week or for an extended period of time during the semester. It is the student's responsibility to be aware of their registration status. The following dates will be followed without exception.

Incompletes:  A grade of incomplete will not be awarded unless there is a documented evidence of extreme personal or immediate family hardship which arose during the semester and was beyond the control of the student.  Changes in work hours, child care emergencies, time management, or other similar personal problems will not be approved as reasons for awarding incompletes.  The Integrative Studies chair must approve any incomplete grade requests.

Honor Policy:  The highest standards of academic integrity are expected of all students. The failure of any student to meet these standards may result in suspension or expulsion from the University or other sanctions as specified in the University Student Academic Integrity Policy. Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to, cheating, fabrication, tampering, plagiarism or facilitating such activities. Plagiarism may result in a course grade of 'E' or 'XE.'

Reasonable Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:  The Disability Resource Center (DRC) provides information and services to students with any documented disability who are attending ASU West.  Individualized program strategies and recommendations are available for each student as well as current information regarding community resources.  Students also may have access to specialized equipment and supportive services and should contact the instructor for accommodations that are necessary for course completion.

Final Exam Make-Up Policy:  The final exam schedule listed in the Schedule of Classes will be strictly followed.  Exceptions to the schedule and requests for make-up examinations can be granted only by the Integrative Studies Department Chair and for one of the following reasons:

1. religious conflict
2. the student has more than three exams scheduled on the same day
3. two finals are scheduled to occur at the same time

Make-up exams will NOT be given for reasons of nonrefundable airline tickets, vacation plans, work schedules, weddings, family reunions, or other such activities.  Students should consult the final exam schedule before making end-of-semester travel plans.

Please note that changes could be made to this syllabus for various reasons during the semester.  These changes will be announced in class.  It is the student’s responsibility to take note of all such announcements, and if absent to ask if any such announcements were made.

PHI 306

Semester Outline

Week 1

Introduction

Chapter 1: Theoretical Perspectives

Week 2

Chapter 2: Human Rights and Justice

Week 3

Chapter 4:  Hunger and Poverty

Chapter 6/7:  Gender Role and Racial and Ethnic Discrimination

Week 4

Chapter 5:  War and Violence
Exam 2
Chapter 8:  Abortion

Week 5

Chapter 9:  Euthanasia, Sustaining and Creating Life