Discipline: Philosophy Degree Credit  [X]
Non Credit  [ ]
Nondegree Credit  [ ]
Comm Service  [ ]
 

Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

Philosophy 12


COURSE DESCRIPTION
12 Introduction to Ethics: Contemporary Moral Issues Units: 3.00
 
Prerequisite: None.
 
Contemporary problems in ethics. An examination of the moral problems of today in light of ethical theory. Problems examined may include abortion, euthanasia, the death penalty, affirmative action, war, racism, sexism, and others. 54 hours lecture.
 
SHORT DESCRIPTION FOR CLASS SCHEDULE
An examination of contemporary moral problems in light of ethical theory.
 
ADVISORY ENTRY SKILLS
None.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

1.   Recognize, explain, and compare traditional theoretical 
      approaches to moral problems.

2.   Describe how traditional ethical theory informs the positions and 
      supporting arguments offered by philosophers on contemporary 
      ethical issues.

3.   Identify and evaluate the arguments offered to defend specific 
      moral positions.

4.   Integrate moral theory into independent and creative solutions to 
      moral problems.

5.   Formulate and defend one’s own ethical positions in both oral and 
      written work.

6.   Plan, organize, and write an essay that argues for a specific moral 
      position.

7.   Apply moral reasoning to other facets of life and/or fields of study.
 
COURSE CONTENT
  TOPICS
 
  1. The following specific topics are to be covered either separately or within the context of exploring the issues connected to a specific moral problem:
    1. Introduction to philosophical reasoning and moral philosophy.
    2. Relativism and egoism
    3. Utilitarianism
    4. Kantianism
    5. Virtue ethics
  2. The balance of the course must include at least three of the following:
    1. Theories of justice
    2. Racism and Sexism
    3. Affirmative action
    4. Death penalty
    5. Abortion
    6. Euthanasia
    7. War
    8. Terrorism, counter-terrorism, surveillance, and right to privacy
    9. Environmental ethics
    10. Pornography
    11. Free Speech
    12. Welfare/World Hunger
    13. New reproductive technologies:  cloning, stem-cell research, in vitro fertilization, etc.
 
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
 Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

  • Present class lectures/discussions/demonstrations in order to familiarize students with traditional ethical theory and contemporary moral problems.
  • Create small group activities in order to provide an opportunity to work with others to recognize the complexity of problems in practical ethics.
  • Develop and assign class exercises that require analysis and understanding of the texts and independent and rational thinking about contemporary moral problems.
  • Show videos/films/audio tapes in order to focus discussion on contemporary moral problems.
  • Conduct individual conferences in order to assist in the organization of essays and the analysis of traditional ethical theory and contemporary ethical problems.
  • Develop and assign web-enhanced/online/distance learning tasks such as further reading, investigation of philosophy websites to deepen understanding of the contexts and traditions in which ethical discussion is conducted, and discussion board postings that allow the student to express reasoned viewpoints about assigned topics.
  • Invite guest lecturers to class in order to present contemporary ethical issues which will encourage independent and rational discussion of contemporary ethical problems
 
METHODS OF EVALUATION
 Students will be evaluated for progress in and/or mastery of learning outcomes by methods of evaluation which may include, but are not limited to:

  • Oral reports/presentations designed to analyze contemporary moral problems and assess the role of traditional ethical theory in regard to these problems.
  • Quizzes and examinations designed to evaluate ability to identify key philosophical ideas, terms, and traditions; compare and contrast ethical positions; explain and evaluate different responses to contemporary ethical problems and the arguments given in their support.
  • Written assignments designed to provide the opportunity to analyze texts, explain implications of ideas, critically assess ethical positions, and provide support for the claims made in these assignments. 
  • Group and individual projects designed to show evidence that students are able to solve problems and work with others to come to an understanding of different ethical theories, their application to contemporary moral problems, and to think independently and rationally.
  • Recording and assessing regular attendance.
ASSIGNMENTS

Required Reading Assignments


Required Writing Assignments


Other Outside-of-Class Assignments
 
COURSE MATERIALS
 All materials used in this course will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate for college level instruction. Possible texts include:

  • Goldberg, David T. . Ethical Theory amd Social Issues. any: Wadsworth, 1995.
  • Hinman, Lawrence M. . Contemporary Moral Issues: Diversity and Consensus. any: Prentice Hall, 2005.
  • Mappes, Thomas and Jane Zembaty . Social Ethics: Morality and Social Policy . any: McGraw-Hill, 2002.
  • May, Larry. Collins-Chobanian, S., and Wong, K. . Applied Ethics: A Multicultural Approach. any: Prentice-Hall, 2001.
  • Newton, Lisa. Ethics in America:Source Reader and Study Guide. any: Prentice Hall, 2003.
  • Rosenstand, Nina. The Moral of the Story: An Introduction to Ethics. any: McGraw Hill, 2005.
  • Satris, Steven . Taking Sides : Clashing Views on Controversial Moral Issues. any: McGraw-Hill, 2006.
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