PHI 2600: Syllabus
Dr. Dimitria Electra Gatzia
degatzia@syr.edu
REQUIRED TEXTS
* Rachels, James. The Elements of Moral Philosophy (5th edition)
* Satris, Stephen. Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Moral Issues
COURSE DESCRIPTION
We are all “moralizers.” Everyday we make moral judgments concerning the character and actions of other people, and, in honest moments, we make such judgments about ourselves. Perhaps it is because moral judgments are so commonplace that their real basis is so obscure. When we do make them, we generally rely on more fundamental principles or standards that we typically take for granted, if we recognize them at all. But where do such principles come from? Do they have any objective or rational basis? Are they purely subjective? Can they be justified? How? As soon as we raise questions like these we have adopted a critical stance toward morality. That is, we have entered the domain of ethics. Ethics, in the philosophical sense, is the attempt to do, more critically and more systematically, what everyone naturally does in these reflective, questioning moments. In ethics one seeks to analyze moral concepts (such as “good,” “evil,” “right,” “wrong,” “duty,” etc.) and to justify moral principles and theories. Such inquiry is critical because it refuses to take accepted moral beliefs for granted and subjects them to the closest scrutiny. It is this type of inquiry that we will embark upon in this course as we analyze a few of the most dominant and influential ethical theories in the Western philosophical tradition. These will include the divine command theory, the natural law theory, ethical relativism, ethical egoism, utilitarianism, absolutism, social contract ethics.
GRADING
Grades shall be based upon the average of four multiple choice unit tests the lowest of which will be dropped (60%), a final exam (30%), presentations (10%) and attendance credit as stated below.
Grading Scale: A 90-100; B 80-89; C 70-79; D 60-69
FINAL EXAM (counts 30%)
The final exam will consist of everything we have covered in class, including the videos we have watched. If you do not earn a C or higher in the final exam, your grade will be dropped by a full letter grade.
VIDEOS
Attendance is critical on the days when videos are shown. Should a student miss a tape, he/she must view it within two weeks of the time it was shown in class. The student must, then, submit to the professor a summary of the contents of the tape (at least one typed page in length). In order to pass the class all students must view all of the video tapes. FOR EACH VIDEO MISSED AND NOT VIEWED WITHIN THE TWO WEEK GRACE PERIOD, 2 POINTS SHALL BE SUBTRACTED FROM THE TOTAL NUMBER OF POINTS FROM WHICH THE GRADE POINT AVERAGE IS CALCULATED.
MAKE-UP RESPONSIBILITIES
You may make up tests only when absences are excused. You must obtain permission from the professor to take a make-up test. Make-up tests must be taken within two weeks of the absence unless special arrangements are made. Unless the preceding conditions are met, there will be no make up tests allowed. When permitted, they are always lengthy, written, essay tests. Make up tests when given are taken by reservation only in the Testing and Assessment Center on the second floor of the Korcheck Building.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
The study of ethics is an experiential activity and is best learned in community. The professor cannot claim that a student has had this course unless she/he has attended regularly. The following incentive system has been designed in order to encourage attendance:
0 hours absent: + 3 pts
1 hour absent: + 2 pts.
2 hours absent: + 1 pt.
3 hours absent: 0 pts
4 hours absent: - 1 pt.
5 hours absent: -2 pts.
6 hours absent: - 3 pts.
Prior to June 4, 2007 (Class A); July 17, 2007 (Class B), any student absent from the course more than six hours FOR ANY REASON will be dropped with the grade of "W." It is College policy that after the above date there shall be no withdrawals without academic penalty. BUT THERE STILL MUST BE AN ATTENDANCE POLICY. Therefore, any student accruing over six hours absence after mid-semester will receive an "F" in the course. In the case of extreme hardship only the Division Dean may make an exception to this policy. (WHEN AN ABSENCE IS "EXCUSED," IT IS STILL AN ABSENCE. THE TERM, "EXCUSED," ONLY MEANS THAT ONE IS PERMITTED TO MAKE UP WORK MISSED.)
TARDINESS
An occasional tardiness is understandable. If you are tardy, it is your responsibility to inform the professor immediately after class so that he can confirm in his records that you were present. Habitual tardiness is rudeness, and it is the professor's responsibility to protect the class from being misused by a careless member. Therefore, IF A PERSON IS TARDY FOUR TIMES (THREE TIMES IN A TTH CLASS), HE/SHE WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE ROOM TARDY AGAIN. If there is excessive tardiness, the student will be warned before being denied access to the room for the next tardy.
STANDARDS OF CONDUCT
Students are expected to abide by all standards of conduct stated in the Lancer Student Handbook.
Plagiarism is the use of ideas, facts, opinions, illustrative material, data, direct or indirect wording of another scholar and/or writer-professional or student-without giving proper credit. It is, therefore, dishonest and may result in expulsion, suspension, or any lesser penalty.
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