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1 Course Title: Ethics Course Information Course Code: PHI-112- DS11 Synonym Number:97849 Credits: 3 Semester: Fall 2016 Prerequisite: College-level composition & reading Format: Online Start Date: 8/29/16 Attendance and No-Show Reporting: September 6, 2016 Attendance and early engagement are important elements for your success in this course. All students who do not attend the first class(es) or meet early attendance requirements must be reported by the instructor to the Registrar s Office. Financial aid students or students receiving Veteran s benefits who do not complete the first assignment, meet early attendance requirements, and/or fail to complete introductory assignment(s) in Canvas by September 6, 2016 will be dropped from the course and may not receive financial assistance. More information at: coloradomtn.edu/admissions/financial_aid/ Refund Date: 9/14/16 Census Date: 9/19/16 Withdraw Date: 11/20/16 End Date: 12/16/16 Instructor Information Name: Dr. Steven Rice Office Hours: I have no published office hours. If you me or call, I generally reply within 48 hours, excluding weekends Phone(s): srice@coloradomtn.edu, stevenearlri@netscape.net Course Access and Orientation Canvas by Instructure is the online learning management system (LMS) used by Colorado Mountain College. You access Canvas via your web browser and by logging in through CMC s Basecamp portal. For instructions on how to login to Basecamp and other Canvas support resources, please visit: Help for Canvas. Once in Basecamp, you can also access orientation materials that will prepare you to be an online student. Look for the section Resources for Online Learning at this link: Basecamp - Student Services - Online Learning.

2 Cengage Learning and MindTap The course is completely online and has no paper text. You access the course, text, assignments and resources via Cengage Learnings MindTap. The directions for initial access to the course are found below. Use the online method of getting the course and text.

3 This semester marks the use of a new text and format. The text we will use is PojJman and Fieser s Ethics: Discovering Right and Wrong. The text is succinct and well written. PojJman was a fascinating character. He was an animal rights activist, who taught at very conservative institutions, The United States Military Academy, and the University of Mississippi. He was trained by the greatest American theologian of the twentieth century, and a noted British skeptic. He is a very careful writer, working hard to make sure that what might be a hostile audience understood basic concepts in ethics. The text is online and will be supplemented by simulations and primary source readings. All are found in the website we will use. You will be asked to complete and turn in an Aplia Assignment and answers to Critical Thinking Questions each week. The Aplia Assignment is a bit of a fact check to insure you understood the text. The Questions will require you to write no more than two pages of response each week. Critical in your response is the use and citation of the Readings. You will be automatically marked down 10% of your grade for the week if you do not use and cite the readings. Also, be aware that there is no exact line up of Reading with the week s text. Sometimes (much of the time) philosophers will wind up talking about more than one weekly topic in what they write. I will often ask you to not only read new works, but reflect on works read earlier when doing your Questions. Why such an emphasis on the Readings? A major part of philosophy is reading and understanding philosophers. The readings supply the writings of philosophers. You will read selections from nearly thirty different philosophers this term. Also be aware that reading philosophy is about SLOW and CAREFUL reading. It doesn t skim. I still find myself going, What did he just say. And then I go back and reread until I get it. Many of our readings are short, but during a few weeks you will see a heavy reading schedule. Don t get behind are you will have trouble catching up. Once in a while Readings change lives. For instance, when I was eighteen I read John Stuart Mill s On Liberty, as a part of something called the Underclass Common Course at Beloit College. It changed how I look at the world, especially how I considered my mother, and sent me into a lifetime of study of Philosophy and Religion. I hope you read something here or elsewhere in your time at CMC that will do the same. A word on citations. Many of my students think you must have a direct quote to be able to cite. Not so. Most citations are about ideas. If you find an idea in the Reading and want to paraphrase it your answer to the Critical Thinking question, that is sufficient for a citation. Just tell me where you found the idea. MindTap and Canvass will not be integrated this term. I am a bit worried about the integration given the new CMC one portal system, and wish to operate Canvas and MindTap separately. That means you will need to check both every week. Announcements, grades, extra credit possibilities, and discussion boards will be in Canvas. Assignments, Critical Thinking Questions and the like will be in MindTap. Lastly, I had some issues with assignments, which you have completed and submitted, not appearing on my end last semester. If you do not see a grade appear in Canvas within a week of the assignments due date, please contact me by or phone at the contacts above. Course Description Ethics examines human life, experience, and thought in order to discover and develop the principles and values for pursuing a more fulfilled existence. Theories designed to justify ethical judgments are applied to a selection of contemporary personal and social issues.

4 Course Competencies and Objectives Upon completion of this course, the student should demonstrate knowledge and/or skill in the following areas: Identify problems associated with major ethical concepts. Analyze the meaning of major ethical theories. Evaluate the major ethical theories. Apply major ethical theories to specific moral problems. Understand why one might come to hold a major ethical position. Read, analyze and apply written material to new situations. Write and speak clearly and logically in presentations and essays. Demonstrate the ability to select and apply contemporary forms of technology to solve problems or compile information. Idea Ratings Gaining factual knowledge (terminology, classifications, methods, trends). Learning to apply course material (to improve thinking, problem solving, and decisions). Developing skill in expressing oneself orally or in writing.. Developing a clearer understanding of, and commitment to, personal values. Learning to analyze and critically evaluate ideas, arguments, and points of view. Evaluation Methods and Class Management There will be 300 points possible in this course. Each of 14 assignments will be assigned twenty points. One third of the points will be awarded on the basis of how well you do in the Aplia Assignment, and the remainder will be based on your answers to the Critical Thinking Question. Limit your answers to the Critical Thinking Questions to a maximum of two pages for all (not each) of the questions. You will be docked 10% overall if I do not find references and citations to the Readings in your answers to the Critical Thinking Questions. In addition you will find a blog at the end of each assignment. They change and rotate as the semester goes on. Some are quite interesting. As I find one I like I will ask you to read and comment on that blog. Usually I will introduce what I want you to think about and comment on. I will ask you to do this twice beginning in week seven of the course, and post your answer on the discussion board. You will need to check the discussions in Canvas each week to find if this is the week. The discussion postings are each worth ten points. The same rule regarding citations counts here as well. Please be aware that MindTap asks that documents be done as Microsoft Word documents. I have had a very hard time opening Apple documents of late. If you don t have Word, check this A Few Words About Microsoft Word Microsoft Word is the standard word processing program for the majority of CMC instructors.

5 Students without Microsoft Word may use the free software from to create Word-compatible documents. The program also includes spreadsheet, presentation, drawing, and database applications. The program is available for Windows, Macintosh, or Linux operating systems. Microsoft Word is installed on computers available in computer labs at CMC locations. Get assignments in on time. Getting behind on the Readings is a disaster from which you you will have a hard recovering. If you are going to be late with the assignment tell me and you will get an automatic extension of one week. If you are two weeks or more behind turning in the assignment, you may be docked fifty percent of the points available. I correct papers as they come in. The record for completion (in Logic no less) is four weeks. Overall grades will be assigned on the following points basis: A = B = C = D = F = Below 181 Two final notes about grades. The class is new and I don t yet know how long it will take you. Cengage has an engagement counter that tells me how long each student is spending on the course. I will be monitoring this, and if it appears that there is too much to do given the time available, I may modify assignments. Watch announcements for this! Finally, I love controversy. It is at the heart of philosophy. Bringing in outside texts to make a point, and defending a different position is always valued. Value includes extra points awarded for assignments. Course Schedule Students are responsible for course materials from assigned text(s) and reading, lectures, labs, and other assignments as required. The instructor may alter any, or all, of this syllabus during the semester as the learning environment requires. Students will be notified of changes in the Canvas course shell. September 5, 2016 What is Ethics Read: What is Ethics Review Slides In Qeustia Primary Source Readings Hugo Meynell, On the Foundations of Ethics John Rawls, A Theory of Justice Submit: A Personal Description in the Discussion Board in Canvass The Chapter One Applia Assignment The Chapter One Critical Thinking Questions

6 September 12, 2016 Ethical Relativism Read: Chapter 2: Ethical Relativism Review Slides Simulations: Cults and Relativism In Questia Primary Source Readings, Open Ethics: History, Theory, and Contemporary Issues, and read pages , The Challenge of Cultural Relativism by James Rachels Submit: Chapter 2 Aplia Assignment Chapter 2 Critical Thinking Questions September 19, 2016 Moral Objectivism Read: Chapter 3: Moral Objectivism Ethics Simulation: Gay Marriage Review Slides In Questia Primary Source Readings open Ethics: History Theory and Contemporary Issues. Read pages and These are selections from Aristotles s Nicomachean Ethics, and Saint Thomas Aq;uinas Summa Contra Gentils Submit: Chapter 3 Applia Assigment Chapter 3 Critical Thinking Questions September 26, 2016 Value and Quest for the Good Read: Chapter 4: Value and the Quest for the Good Ethics Simulation: Euthanasis Chapter 4 Review Slides In Questia Primary Source Readings open History, Theory, and Contemporary Issues. Read pages , The Right and the Good by W.D. Ross Review Rawls from Chapter 2. Submit: Chapter 4 Aplia Assignment Chapter 4 Critical Thinking Questions October 3, 2016 Social Contract Theory and the Motive to be Good Read: Chapter 5: Social Contract Theory and the Motive to be Good Ethics Simulation: Pacifism Chapter 5 Review Slides In Ethics: History, Theory, and Contemporary Issues pages read pages , Hobbes, Leviathon. Review Rawls from Chapter 2 Submit: Chapter 5 Aplia Assignment Chapter 5 Critical Thinking Questions

7 October 10 Egoism, Self-Interest and Altruism Read: Chapter 6: Egoism, Self-Interest, and Altruism Ethics Simulations: Egoism, Economic Justice, and Environmental Ethics, and Outsourcing Read in Questia primary sources, Mr Lincoln Once Remarked in the Springfield Monitor, just the indented portion Joel Fineberg s, Pyschological Egoism Robert Helbroner s. What Has Prosperity Ever Done for Me Chapter 6 Review Slides Review: Hobbes in Chapter 5 Submit: Chapter 6 Applia Assignment Chapter 6 Critical Thinking Questions October 17 Utilitarianism Read: Chapter 7: Utilitarianism Ethics Simulations: Utilitarianism In Questia Open Ethics: Theory, History and Centemporary Issues and Read pages These are Bentham s and Mill s classic pieces on Utilitarianism. A tough read. Go slow. In Questia read Williams Critique of Utilitarianism. Pages Chapter 7 Review Slides Submit: Chapter 7 Applia Assignment Chapter 7 Chapter 7 Critical Thinking Questions October 24 Kant and Deontological Theories Read Chapter 8: Kant and Deontological Theories Ethics Simulation: Kantian Ethics In Questia Open Ethics: History, Theory and Contemporary Issues pages These are Kant s Principles of Metaphysics and Moral, and Hume s An Enquiry concerning the Principles of Morals. Chapter 8 Review Slides Submit: Aplia Assignment Chapter 8 Critical Thinking Question Chapter 8 October 24 Virtue Theory Read: Chapter 9: Virtue Theory In Questia Primary Source Readings Susan Mill s Moral Saints Anscomb s Modern Moral Philosophy Chapter 9 Review Slides Review Mill from Chapter 7 and Aristotle from from Chapter 3. Submit: Aplia Assignment for Chapter 9 Critical Thinking Questions from Chapter 9

8 November 6 Biology and Ethics Read: Chapter 10: Biology and Ethics Ethics Simulations: Cloning and Animal Ethics In Questia Primary Source Readings read Dewey s Evolution and Ethics Chapter 10 Review Slides Submit: Aplia Questions for Chapter 10 Critical Thinking Questions for Chapter 10 November 14 Gender and Ethics Read: Chapter 11: Gender and Ethics Ethics Simulations: Equality and Discrimination, Abortion, and Pornography In Aplia Read Mary Woolstonecraft, pages to be determined. Check Announcements. Chapter 11 Review Slides Submit: Chapter 11 Aplia Questions Chapter 11 Critical Thinking Questions November 28 Religion and Ethics Read: Chapter 12:Religion and Ethics In Questia Read Euthyphro by Plato In Questia Read Russel s A Free Man s Worship Chapter 12 Review Slides Review Kant in Chapter 8 and Hume in Chapter 8. Submit: Chapter 12 Aplia Questions Chapter 12 Critical Thinking Questions December 5 The Fact-Value Problem Read: Chapter 13: The Fact-Value Problem Read in Questia Lewis Carroll s Through the Looking Glass. (You can skim this) Chapter 13 Review Slides Review Hume from Chapter 8 Submit: Chapter 13 Aplia Questions Chapter 13 Critical Thinking Questions December 12 Moral Realism and the Challenge of Skepticism Read: Moral Realism and the Challenge of Skepticism In Questia Primary Source Reading read Sturgeon s Moral Explanations Chapter 14 Review Slides Review Hume (again) in Chapter 8 Submit: Chapter 14 Aplia Questions Chapter 14 Critical Thinking Questions

9 Academic Integrity Notice A student judged to have engaged in academic misconduct as defined in the Academic Policies and Requirements section of the Colorado Mountain College Student Handbook will, at a minimum, receive a zero for the work in question. The student may also be removed from the class, resulting in a failing grade. All student course material may be submitted to Turnitin.com (or another anti-plagiarism program) at the instructor s discretion. Academic Expectations, the Student Code of Conduct and Judicial Process and more information about academic misconduct can be found in the Student Handbook, Students with Disabilities If you have a disability protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and feel you may need classroom accommodations based on the impact of your disability, please contact the Disability Services Coordinator on your campus. Spring Valley, Glenwood, Carbondale and Aspen: Dr. Anne Moll Breckenridge and Dillon: Karin Mitchell Leadville and Chaffee County: TBD, please call Edwards: Dan Hammon Steamboat Springs and Online-only students: Deb Farmer Rifle: Libby Neal Title IX Sexual Misconduct Contact Information Colorado Mountain College is committed to the prompt and equitable investigation of all Sexual Misconduct complaints or reports, with appropriate remediation where it has been determined that this Policy has been violated. Each campus has a designated Title IX Coordinator to handle any reports of Sexual Misconduct. Title IX Coordinator Contact Information: Lisa Doak, AVP of Student Services ldoak@coloradomtn.edu Withdrawal from this Course Students wishing to withdraw from this course must INITIATE the course withdrawal/drop process at the site Registration Office. If you have not completed at least 40% of assignments by the withdrawal date listed at the top of this syllabus, you may be recommended for Administrative withdrawal. Grading System and Options Information about grading is available in the Colorado Mountain College catalog (catalog.coloradomtn.edu). Grades will be posted to WebAdvisor by Thursday following the last day of classes at the end of each semester. Required Course Materials The text for this course is Pojman s Ethics: Discovering Right and Wrong, 8 th Edition. Please do not order a used text. Order it via the method noted above Computer Access Online courses require frequent computer use and access to the Internet. It is highly recommended that students have a personal computer for use in online courses. If you need to use a computer at your local Colorado Mountain College location, you will be able to do so during open lab hours. Please check with your local site for times. However, labs will not be available for web conferencing sessions, if included as part of your course, due to the verbal interaction involved.

10 Smarthinking Online Tutoring Help when you need it: 24 hours a day! Smarthinking is an online tutoring service provided by Colorado Mountain College. Depending on the courses in which you are enrolled, you may find Smarthinking's supplemental help an important part of your success. Academic areas covered by their expert support include: Math, Introductory Anatomy & Physiology, Biology, Chemistry, Economics, Finance, Accounting, Statistics, Spanish, Writing, Computers and Technology, and Reading. All students registered for a credit course will have a Smarthinking account created. While this service is provided at no charge, Colorado Mountain College reserves the right to cap the number of free tutoring hours provided to a student. Access the service by clicking Smarthinking Online Tutoring on the left-hand navigation in any of your courses in Canvas. Virtual Library The Virtual Library has its doors open 24/7, providing access to thousands of online journals and newspapers, e-books and art images, downloadable videos and audiobooks, career resources and practice tests. You can access CMC s Virtual Library at library.coloradomtn.edu/ or use the CMC Libraries link from the Canvas course menu to access the website. The link will pass authentication credentials that will allow you to use online library collections. It will also take you directly to the libraries home page. Library Tutorials: The library offers a variety of online video tutorials that will help you with your research projects at library.coloradomtn.edu/modules. Ask a Librarian: If you need assistance with your research project, you can ask a librarian online. Select AskAcademic chat box on the libraries home page and type in your question. This service is available 24/7. You can also reference@coloradomtn.edu or call , extension Online Learning Office Contact Information Information about Online Learning at CMC can be found at coloradomtn.edu/classes/online_learning/. If you have general questions about online learning, please contact CMC s Online Learning at , extension 8341 or virtual@coloradomtn.edu.