Social PhilosophyRider University, Spring 2009
Philosophy 201, Sections TO/TR
Tuesdays, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Fine Arts Building, Room 375
Instructor: Sean Landis
Email:
slandis@rider.eduPhone: 609-980-8367
Office Hours: by appointment
Course Website:
http://ridersocial.blogspot.com TextSocial Ethics: Morality and Social Policy, 7th Edition, edited by Thomas Mappes and Jane Zembaty
About the CourseThis course is designed to introduce students to thinking critically about how humans should behave toward each other as members of society. Throughout the semester we will examine several difficult and controversial ethical issues. Topics include abortion, euthanasia, the death penalty, relief aid, pornography, hate speech, drugs, and animal ethics. The goal of this course is to develop a philosophical understanding of what underlies moral claims and apply this understanding to our own ethical beliefs.
In examining these topics, it is my hope that we can also develop the skills of doing philosophy—understanding and evaluating others’ attempts to answer broad and fundamental questions. Ultimately, though, our main goal is to learn decision-making tools we can use to provide our own answers to these puzzling issues. Hopefully, this course will demonstrate that careful, systematic, and critical thought about moral quandaries can be fruitful.
GradesA = 934-1000 total points
A- = 900-933 total points
B+ = 867-899 total points
B = 834-866 total points
B- = 800-833 total points
C+ = 767-799 total points
C = 734-766 total points
C- = 700-733 total points
D = 600-699 total points
F = below 600 total points
Quiz 100 points
Midterm 200 points
Final 300 points
Consensus Leading 150 points
Paper #1 100 points
Paper #2 100 points
Attendance/Participation 50 points
Quiz: There will be one quiz, taken during the 4th week of class. The quiz will last 20 to 25 minutes, and be held at the beginning of the period on the scheduled day.
Exams: There will be a midterm and a final exam. The midterm tests everything covered during the first half of the course, and will last about 80 minutes on the scheduled day. The final exam is cumulative—that is, it tests everything covered throughout the whole course. The final will also last about 80 minutes, and will take place during Finals Week.
Consensus Leading: In the second half of the semester, we will be holding some consensus sessions on the issue we’re discussing in class that week. The goal of these sessions is to determine whether we agree or disagree with the arguments from the reading assignment for that issue. Students will form groups (of about 4-5 students each) to lead one consensus session. Each group will first give a brief (5-10 minute) presentation and evaluation of the main arguments from the reading, and then run the consensus vote process itself.
Papers: There will be two papers (about 600-1000 words long each), one due in the seventh week of class, and another due toward the end of the semester.
Attendance/Participation: Most of this will be based on your attendance. If you’re there every class, you’ll get full credit for your attendance grade. Also, there will be a lot of informal group work throughout the semester. Group work can impact your attendance grade.
Extra Credit: There will be some optional extra credit assignments available throughout the semester.
Classroom PoliciesAcademic Integrity: Cheating and plagiarism (using someone else’s words or ideas without giving credit to the source) will not be tolerated in the class. Students found guilty of either will definitely fail the exam or assignment—and possibly the entire class. FYI: I’m pretty good at catching plagiarism. I recommend not trying it!
Excused Absenses: Make-up exams, quizzes, in-class projects, and oral reports will only be rescheduled for any excused absences (excused absences include religious observance, official college business, and illness or injury – with a doctor’s note). An unexcused absence on the day of any assignment or test will result in a zero on that assignment or test.
Important DatesFebruary 6th: Last day to drop a class
March 13th: Last day to withdraw at student discretion
April 17th: Last day to withdraw with consent of instructor
May 1st: Last day to withdraw due to psychological or physiological incapacity
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