SYLLABUS FALL 2015 PHI 3640 Environmental Ethics (A 100% Online Class) 3 credits (Subject to Revision and Canvas Posting with Notice)

Transcription

1 SYLLABUS FALL 2015 PHI 3640 Environmental Ethics (A 100% Online Class) 3 credits (Subject to Revision and Canvas Posting with Notice) Instructor: John A. Freeman, USFSM Environmental Science & Policy Program [email protected] Instructor s Office: C256, USF Sarasota Manatee Campus Office Hours: Virtual; only. I will do my best to respond ASAP --- the same day or by next morning/afternoon. Course Description: With the onset of anthropogenic climate change and issues in resource depletion (deforestation, peak oil, the looming water crisis), it is becoming increasingly clear that we are in the midst of a full fledged environmental crisis. Often, when we think of solving environmental issues, we think of politicians enacting policy changes, scientists working on sustainable energies, or engineers working on greening technologies. We seldom think of looking to philosophers for solutions. However, in the past few decades, people have begun to view our environmental crisis as fundamentally an ethical issue since it is a human induced phenomenon. Being a philosophy class, this course will view our environmental crisis from both a conceptual roots of the crisis, and the ways to change our understanding of the human relation to the environmental by examining different ways in which to expand the realm of moral consideration to include animals, plants, and even the land is such. We will then look at particular ethical issues that are related to the environment, including anthropogenic climate change, environmental justice, and the challenge of supporting environmentalism in a capitalistic society. Course Objectives: The three overarching goals of this course are as follows: 1) understand our environmental crisis from a conceptual and ethical perspective; 2) become well versed in the various ethical issues concerning the environment; 3) gain the tools in critical thinking to thoughtfully reflect on your personal environmental ethic. Grading Policy: A plus/minus grading system will be used in this class: A = B = C = D = F = or less 1

2 Exams, Assignments, and Paper: One Midterm 20% Weekly Module Assignments 40% Reflective Paper 20% Cumulative Final Exam 20% Total 100% The midterm and final exam will be administered on line and will be comprised of factual information (e.g., people, events, statistics, ideas, dates, etc.). The weekly assignments will be a mixture of factual (e.g., quiz, copy of reading notes, or answers to questions) and reflective types of assignments (e.g., discussion post). For reflective assignments, the grade will be assigned according to your ability to form a thoughtful response with examples and references. Some assignments will involve participating in online discussions so you will need to become familiar with the online education platform. Separate guidance will be posted for the weekly module assignments and the reflective paper. The deadline for students to elect to drop a course in Fall 2014 without academic penalty is November It is University policy that prior to that date, students will have had sufficient material graded to be able to assess their standing in the class. Students with Disabilities: Students in need of academic accommodations for a disability may consult with the office of Services for Students with Disabilities to arrange appropriate accommodations. Students are required to give reasonable notice (typically 5 working days) prior to requesting an accommodation. Any student with a disability should plan to meet with the instructor privately during the first week of class to discuss accommodations (See Student responsibilities: Each student must bring a current Memorandum of Accommodations from the Office of Student Disability Services that is prerequisite for receiving accommodations. Accommodated examinations through the Office of Student Disability Services require two weeks notice. Academic Integrity/Academic Dishonesty: Cheating and plagiarism are serious offenses at USF. See the USF undergraduate catalog for the definition of plagiarism. Also see the penalties listed there these range from receiving a 0 on the exam, to failing the course, to suspension or expulsion from the university. Textbook: Louis P. and Paul Pojman, Environmental Ethics: Readings in Theory and Application, Sixth Edition, Wadsworth, ISBN: You can rent this book (recommended) or buy a physical text (used is recommended). Ebooks, etc. are fine too just remember it is the Sixth Edition please. 2

3 Schedule for EVR 3640 (may be subject to change) The course will survey different topics in environmental ethics and will follow the order in the textbook. Specific readings and assignments are posted in Modules in Canvas. The following table provides an overview of weekly topics. Typically, assignments and exams, and the reflective paper will be due by midnight on the following Sunday. SEE CANVAS for ALL DATES and keep up with Announcements and s for any possible changes and updates! Thank you. Week Due (11:59 PM) Topic Aug 24 Aug 30 Aug 30 Module 1: Syllabus Review (Attendance Check) and Canvas Icebreaker Introduction Posts Sept 1 Sept 6 Sept 6 Module 2: The Environmental Crisis Sept 7 Sept 13 Sept 13 Module 3: Overview of Ethics Sept 14 Sept 20 Sept 20 Module 4: Introduction to Environmental Ethics Sept 21 Sept 27 Sept 27 Module 5: Animal Rights Sept 28 Oct 4 Oct 4 Module 6: Value in Nature Oct 5 Oct 11 Oct 11 Module 7: Ecological Ethics Oct 12 Oct 18 Oct 18 Midterm Oct 19 Oct 25 Oct 25 Module 8: Population and Consumption Oct 2 Nov 1 Nov 1 Module 9: Pollution Nov 3 Nov 8 Nov 8 Module 10: Food Ethics Nov 9 Nov 16 Nov 16 Module 11: Climate Change and Energy Nov 17 Nov 22 Nov 22 Reflective Paper Nov 23 Nov 29 Nov 29 Module 12: Environmental Justice Nov 30 Dec 6 Dec 6 Module 13: Greening of Spirituality or Sustainable Development (you choose!) Dec 7 Dec 11 Dec 11 Final Exam Important Dates Aug 28 Drop/Add deadline Oct 31 Last day to drop with a W (no refund and no academic penalty) Dec 15 Instructor e grades deadline 3

4 USFSM AND USF SYSTEM POLICIES A. Academic Dishonesty: The University considers any form of plagiarism or cheating on exams, projects, or papers to be unacceptable behavior. Please be sure to review the university s policy in the USFSM Catalog, the USF System Academic Integrity of Students, and the USF System Student Code of Conduct. B. Academic Disruption: The University does not tolerate behavior that disrupts the learning process. The policy for addressing academic disruption is included with Academic Dishonesty in the USFSM Catalog, USF System Academic Integrity of Students, and the USF System Student Code of Conduct. C. Contingency Plans: In the event of an emergency, it may be necessary for USFSM to suspend normal operations. During this time, USFSM may opt to continue delivery of instruction through methods that include but are not limited to: Canvas, online conferencing/collaboration tools, messaging, and/or an alternate schedule. It is the responsibility of the student to monitor Canvas for each of their classes for course specific communication, as well as the USFSM website, their student account, and MoBull messages for important general information. The USF hotline at 1 (800) is updated with pre-recorded information during an emergency. See the Campus Police Website for further information. D. Disabilities Accommodation: Students are responsible for registering with the Office of Students with Disabilities Services (SDS) in order to receive academic accommodations. Reasonable notice must be given to the SDS office (typically 5 working days) for accommodations to be arranged. It is the responsibility of the student to provide each instructor with a copy of the official Memo of Accommodation. Contact Information: Disability Coordinator, , [email protected], E. Fire Alarm Instructions: At the beginning of each semester please note the emergency exit maps posted in each classroom. These signs are marked with the primary evacuation route (red) and secondary evacuation route (orange) in case the building needs to be evacuated. See Emergency Evacuation Procedures. F. Religious Observances: USFSM recognizes the right of students and faculty to observe major religious holidays. Students who anticipate the necessity of being absent from class for a major religious observance must provide notice of the date(s) to the instructor, in writing, by the second week of classes. Instructors canceling class for a religious observance should have this stated in the syllabus with an appropriate alternative assignment. G. Protection of Students Against Discrimination and Harassment: 1. Sexual Misconduct/Sexual Harassment Reporting: USFSM is committed to providing an environment free from sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence (USF System Policy 0-004). 2. Other Types of Discrimination and Harassment: USFSM also is committed to providing an environment free from discrimination and harassment based on race, color, marital status, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or veteran status (USF System Policy 0-007). The Counseling and Wellness Center is a confidential resource where you can talk about incidents of discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment, gender-based crimes, sexual assault, stalking, and domestic/relationship violence. This confidential resource can help you without having to report your situation to either the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities (OSSR) or the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Equal Opportunity (DIEO), unless you request that they make a report. Please be aware that in compliance with Title IX and under the USF System Policy, educators must report incidents of discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment, gender-based crimes, sexual assault, stalking, and domestic/relationship violence. If a student discloses any of these situations in class, in papers, or to a faculty member personally, he or she is required to report it to OSSR or DIEO for investigation. Students who are victims or who have knowledge of such discrimination or harassment are encouraged to report it to either OSSR or DIEO. The Deputy Coordinator for USFSM is Allison Dinsmore, Coordinator of Disability Services & Student Advocacy, # or [email protected]. Campus Resources: Counseling Center and Wellness Center Victim Advocate (24/7)

5 List of off-campus resources: HOPE Family Services: Safe Place & Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC) Sarasota: First Call for Help- Manatee: Sarasota & North Port Manatee Glens: ; 24-hr Hotline H. Web Portal Information: Every newly enrolled USF student receives an official USF account. Students receive official USF correspondence and Canvas course information via that address. The web portal is accessed at 5