Instructor: Dr. Tablan
E-mail: ftablan@bellevuecollege.edu
Phone: 425-564-2342
Office location:B100 / R230
Office Hours: MW 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM/ 5:10 to 6:20
pm
Provides philosophical consideration of some
of the major moral problems and controversies that divide contemporary American
society such as abortion, euthanasia, gay marriage, war, and genetic
engineering. Moral issues will be discussed and analyzed using classical and
contemporary ethical theories. Fulfills social science or humanities credit at
BC.
Course
Outcomes
1. Recognize
and use basic philosophic vocabulary (e.g., “supererogatory,”
“consequentialism,” “virtue,” etc.) in in-class and take-home essays, short
answer tests, or matching quizzes.
2. Recognize,
assess, and be able to use appropriate deductive and inductive argument
strategies and tactics. For instance, students should be able to recognize an
argument as fallacious or logically successful, and be able to explain how the
truth or falsity of premises impacts a given argument.
3. Distinguish
good evidence for a position from bad evidence. For example, students should be
able to explain in a one page essay why a philosopher has failed to support his
or her position on the issue of euthanasia.
4. Explain
in an essay the arguments for and against a specified position. For example,
students should be able to write a four page take-home essay explaining the
reasons for and against accepting the Pro-Choice side of an abortion debate.
5. Analyze
philosophic concepts in writing. For instance, students should be able give an
analysis of concepts such as Justice, Personhood, or the Good. Analyses should
include an adequate definition and considerations of potential counterexamples.
6. Accurately
and informatively explain the topics discussed by the philosophers studied. For
instance, students studying John Stuart Mill should be able to write a one-page
essay explaining what he means and how he defends himself when he argues for a
maximum amount of personal liberty in the academic environment.
7. Identify,
distinguish, and explain the different schools of thought in Ethics (e.g.,
Divine Command Theory, Cultural Relativism, Ethical Egoism). This may be
assessed via short answer tests.
8. Write
argumentative essays containing clear thesis claims, strong arguments for the
theses, reasonable consideration of opposing views, and conforming to the
presentation/writing standards set forth in the “BCC Philosophy Writing
Guidelines.”
How
Outcomes will be met
In-class
Participation (7%); Assignments (5%); Class activities and Quizzes (15%);
2
Philosophical Essays (30%); Mid-Term Exam (20%); Final Exam (23%)
Grading
100-Point
Grading Scale
|
A- 90 - 93 B+ 87 - 89 |
B 84-86 B- 80-83 C+ 77-79 |
C 74-76 C- 70-73 D+ 64-69 |
D 60-63 F below 60 |
Books
and Materials Required
The required text for this course is Contemporary
Moral Arguments: Readings in Ethical Issues by Lewis Vaughn (USA: Oxford
University Press, 2009). It is highly encouraged that you look online for used copies
of the text that are less expensive. There are copies of the text at the reserved section of
the library which you can borrow out. You can also take advantage of our college’s book-buyback project or the rental
program of BC book store.
1. Raise
your hand to be recognized.
2. Before
coming to class, students must have enough sleep and rest. Take a cup of
coffee/tea, or soda that has caffeine. Eat lightly. Some people get sleepy
after eating a heavy meal. Eating during class is not allowed.
3. All written assignments or papers are due at the beginning of the
class on the submission date. Lack of access to a computer and/or computer
glitches are not acceptable excuses for failing to hand in assignments on time.
Late submission for any requirement, for whatever reasons, is subject to a
substantial grade reduction – 10% deduction for every meeting. If you cannot
come to class, you can submit your paper in advance or ask one of your classmates to do it. Late papers
cannot be left in my faculty mailbox without my permission.
4. Email
submission is NOT allowed.
5. Students are expected to plan their schedules in advance having
the dates of the exam in mind. If you miss a long exam, the only acceptable
excuse is serious physical injury/illness and a note from a hospital or doctor.
It is the responsibility of the students to arrange for make-up work at the
convenience of the instructor. All make-up work must be completed within one
week upon returning to class. There will be no make-up for missed class
activities.
6. Meaningful
and constructive dialogue is encouraged in this class. This requires a degree
of mutual respect, willingness to listen, and tolerance of opposing views.
Respect for individual differences and alternative viewpoints will be
maintained at all times.
7. Disruptive behaviors including excessive talking, side-chatter,
vulgar or offensive actions, using earphones on high-volume, or reading
newspapers and other overt inattentiveness while in class are not permitted.
After one warning, if the disruption continues, you will be asked to leave the
classroom.
8. All
returned materials should be kept until the official final grade is given. Back
up all written assignments to insure against loss.
9. No
student will be permitted to rewrite a submitted paper. It is understood that
all papers submitted are in their final
version.
10. Letter grades (A, B, B+, etc.) are only
assigned at the end of the quarter.
11. The final grade is non-negotiable. No extra
credit.
Instructor’s
Expectation
Reading Assignments: Being a text-based
course, it is the students’ responsibility to do their own reading of the
assigned texts. Instructional procedure will take the form of commentaries,
interpretations, explanations, applications, problem-solving activities, and
critical questions on some of the major points and difficult passages of the text.
It will not be a paragraph-by-paragraph lecture of its content.
In-class
Participation:
Discussion is a very important part of the course. Students are expected to
bring to class insights, issues, interpretation, comments, critiques, and
questions regarding the required readings for the purposes of information
sharing, argument, and informal debate. People learn in different ways. Some
learn by thinking out loud while others need to listen a while before forming
their own conclusions. However, even for more reserved students, classroom
discussion is an important way to think through questions and ideas. While I do
not give graded recitation, I shall take your regular attendance and consistent
thoughtful engagement in class as the basis for in-class participation.
Classroom
Attendance:
It is your responsibility as students to attend all classes on time. Class
attendance is monitored but not graded. Poor attendance may affect your grade
because if you miss class, you miss the discussions, important announcements,
active learning exercises, group activities, and the opportunity to ask
questions and get answers. If you miss class, it is your responsibility
to update yourselves with missed assignments and readings. You are likewise
accountable for any announcements, changes in syllabus or class calendar, and
schedules of exams and quizzes whether you have been attending class or not.
Tutorials
and Consultation: Every reasonable effort will be made to assist you for
any problems or difficulties you may encounter with any aspect of this course.
I will never be offended by your questions or comments about papers, class
schedule, reading materials, class discussions, grading, study habits and so
on. For brief consultations, you can see me after class. Emails are the
most efficient means by which we can communicate outside the classroom. It is
absolutely necessary that you get an acknowledgement that I have received your
email. Save a copy of my email acknowledgement for your reference. Every
student is required to have a public email (I will not send blind carbon copy
to anyone). While I send class updates and class assignments though email from
time to time, this is only as a form of courtesy. This is not an online
course. All announcements and assignments should be given in class.
Affirmation
of Inclusion
Bellevue College is committed to maintaining an
environment in which every member of the campus community feels welcome to
participate in the life of the college, free from harassment and
discrimination. We value our different backgrounds at Bellevue College, and
students, faculty, staff members, and administrators are to treat one another
with dignity and respect. http://bellevuecollege.edu/about/goals/inclusion.asp
Student
Code
“Cheating,
stealing and plagiarizing (using the ideas or words of another as one’s own
without crediting the source) and inappropriate/disruptive classroom behavior
are violations of the Student Code of Conduct at Bellevue College. Examples of unacceptable behavior include,
but are not limited to: talking out of turn, arriving late or leaving early
without a valid reason, allowing cell phones/pagers to ring, and inappropriate
behavior toward the instructor or classmates.
The instructor can refer any violation of the Student Code of Conduct to
the Vice President of Student Services for possible probation or suspension
from Bellevue College. Specific student
rights, responsibilities and appeal procedures are listed in the Student Code
of Conduct, available in the office of the Vice President of Student
Services.” The Student Code, Policy
2050, in its entirety is located at: http://bellevuecollege.edu/policies/2/2050_Student_Code.asp
Bellevue
College E-mail and access to MyBC
All students registered for classes at Bellevue
College are entitled to a network and e-mail account. Your student
network account can be used to access your student e-mail, log in to computers
in labs and classrooms, connect to the BC wireless network and log in to MyBC.
To create your account, go to: https://bellevuecollege.edu/sam .
BC offers a wide variety of computer and learning
labs to enhance learning and student success. Find current campus locations for
all student labs by visiting the Computing Services
website.
Disability
Resource Center (DRC)
The Disability Resource Center serves students with
a wide array of learning challenges and disabilities. If you are a student who
has a disability or learning challenge for which you have documentation or have
seen someone for treatment and if you feel you may need accommodations in order
to be successful in college, please contact us as soon as possible.
If you are a person who requires assistance in case
of an emergency situation, such as a fire, earthquake, etc, please meet with
your individual instructors to develop a safety plan within the first week of
the quarter.
The DRC office is temporarily located in the
Library Media Center (D126) or you can
call our reception desk at 425.564.2498.
Deaf students can reach us by video phone at 425-440-2025 or by TTY at
425-564-4110. Please visit our website
for application information into our program and other helpful links at www.bellevuecollege.edu/drc
Public
Safety
The Bellevue College (BC) Public Safety
Department’s well trained and courteous non-commissioned staff provides
personal safety, security, crime prevention, preliminary investigations, and
other services to the campus community, 24 hours per day, 7 days per
week. Their phone number is 425.564.2400.
The Public Safety website is your one-stop resource for campus emergency
preparedness information, campus closure announcements and critical information
in the event of an emergency. Public Safety is located in K100 and on the web
at: http://bellevuecollege.edu/publicsafety/
Final
Exam Schedule
http://bellevuecollege.edu/classes/exams Wednesday June 18
Academic
Calendar
The Bellevue College Academic Calendar is separated
into two calendars. They provide information about holidays, closures and
important enrollment dates such as the finals schedule.
Tentative
Course Outline and Reading Assignments
(This
schedule is for planning purposes only. It may be changed by the instructor
depending upon the students’ interests, the ability of the class to absorb the
materials, and the composition of the class.)
MORAL REASONING pp. 1 to 15 (week 1)
1.
Ethics and the Moral Domain
2.
Ethics, Law, and Religion
3.
Moral Relativism
4.
Moral Arguments
MORAL THEORIES pp. 53 to 65 (week 2 – 3)
1. Why
Moral Theories?
2. Important
Moral Theories
3. Utilitarianism
4. Kantian
Ethics
5. Natural
Law Theory
6. Rawls's
Contractarianism
7. Virtue
Ethics
8. The
Ethics of Care
9. Feminist
Ethics
ABORTION (week 4 – 5)
1.
Mary Anne Warren: On the Moral and Legal Status of Abortion pp. 114 to 119
2. John T. Noonan, Jr.: An Almost
Absolute Value in History pp. 154 to 157.
GAY MARRIAGE (week 6)
1. Sam
Schulman: Gay Marriage--and Marriage pp.
246 to 252
2. Jonathan
Rauch: For Better or Worse? pp. 253
to 258.
EUTHANASIA AND ASSISTED SUICIDE
(week 7 – 8)
1.
Daniel Callahan: When Self-Determination
Runs Amok pp. pp. 265 to 269.
2.
John Lachs: When Abstract Moralizing Runs Amok pp. 270 to 273.
3.
James Rachels: Active and Passive Euthanasia pp. 283 to 287
4.
Winston Nesbitt: Is Killing No Worse Than Letting Die? pp. 287 to 290.
GENETIC ENGINEERING AND CLONING (week 9)
1.
Dan W. Brock: Cloning Human Beings: An Assessment of the Ethical Issues
Pro and Con pp.
334 to 344
2. Søren Holm: A Life in the Shadow: One Reason Why We Should Not Clone
Humans pp. 345 to 347
WAR, TERRORISM, AND
TORTURE (week 10)
1.
War, Terrorism and Torture pp. 396 to 405
2.
Douglas P. Lackey: Pacifism pp. 407 to 414
3.
Michael Walzer: The Legalist Paradigm pp. 424 to
HEALTH CARE (week
11)
1.
Economic Justice: Health Care pp. 547 to 558.
2.
Norman Daniels: Is There a Right
to Health Care and, if so, What Does it Encompass? pp. 559 to 565
3.
Allen Buchanan: The Right to a
Decent Minimum of Health Care pp. 566 to 567.
ECONOMIC JUSTICE AND
GLOBAL OBLIGATIONS
1.
William W. Murdoch and Allan Oaten: A
Critique of Lifeboat Ethics pp. 688 to 696
2.
Peter Singer: Famine, Affluence,
and Morality pp. 698 to 705.
*Important Dates*
May 5 –
Mid-term Exam
May 12 – Submission of your first paper
May 28 – Submission of your Second Paper
June 20 – Last Day of the Quarter