College of San Mateo Contemporary Social and Moral Issues David G. Danielson contact Philosophy Department Web Page
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Course Info
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Course |
Readings/ Assignments |
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Grading Info |
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Course Description This is a course on ethics. We will examine in depth the complexity of Ethical issues and decisions. We will look at the philosophic grounds for making certain ethical decisions. Most of the time we will examine and discuss a variety of practical ethical concerns, situations that call for an ethical response. The course will consist of some lectures, in-class discussions of issues and discussion of articles written on these issues. During the course you will be participating in small/large group discussions. And you will participate as a member of a group project. The goal of this course is not to try and change anyone's views about any of these issues. Rather it is an attempt to broaden our understanding of the issues, and gain an awareness of the complexity of the decisions connected with these issues. Since the topics are connected very closely with values and beliefs, the class is designed to allow persons to hear other points of view as well as express their own views. For a copy of the Syllabus click here.TTH Class, Writing Center Workshops ESL Workshops
The readings for the class are listed on the syllabus which you can download above. The readings for each week ought to be read before the first class of the week. This will allow discussion on the topics. The homework assignments are due on Thursdays except where indicated in class. Ethical Theories – Utilitarianism Utilitarianism Here is a llink to very good explanations of the theories. Dr. Sandra LaFave’s site. (Here is a review of Guitar Hero 3 which is relevant to Mill.)
Kant's Deontological Theory Kant’s Deontological Theory Dr. LaFave's site Podcast on Kant's Deontological Theory
John Raws' Theory of Justice
Aristotle's Virtue Ethics Jon Stewart interrogating Chris Matthews on the Daily Show Lawrence Hinman, Univerity of San Diego speaking on Aristotle's Ethics David Brooks' Where the Wild Things Are A podcast on Aristotle's concept of Happiness
Stoicism Marcus Aurelius's Meditations Epictetus's Enchiridion Seneca's Essays Alain de Botton video Philosophy: A Guide to Happiness Admiral James Stockdale's paper Master of My Fate: A Stoic Philosopher in a Hanoi Prisone William Irvine's book A Guide to the Good Life: the ancient art of Stoic joy.
Office Discussion Each student will write a summary of one of the articles we read on one of the topics, e.g. Euthanasia, and read the summary to me in the office. The summary should be two pages long and all in your own words. Do not quote the original article. Bring two copies of the summary, one for me, one for you. I want a summary, not an essay.
Service Learning The Service Learning assignment is an opportunity for you to work in some area that is related to Ethics, or deals with a moral issue. These can be quite broad in interpretation. The goal is for you to find some place to work for 7 - 10 hours which will broaden your awareness of services and opportunities in the community. There are several websites below that can aid you in finding service opportunities. While you are working, please record your experiences in the notebook. At the end of the semester, there will be two options for the assignment. 1) Write a 1 - 2 page summary of what you did, where you did it, and what you learned. or 2) Give a short presentation on what you did etc. on the date of the final exam. An good way to find out Service Learning opportunities http://www.volunteermatch.org/ another site is http://www.smccd.net/accounts/csmconnects/organizatn_list.htm http://www.volunteerinfo.org/index.htm and another at http://www.goserv.ca.gov/index.asp Here is a nice distinction between Helping and Serving. by Rachel Naomi Remen M.D.
Required Materials Required Text: Today's Moral Issues, Bonevac Amazon (Correct edition) Recommended Text: How to Get the Most Out of Philosophy, Soccio (ABE Books) Recommended Text: Ethical Insights: A Brief Introduction, Birsch (ABE Books)
Philosophy Notebook You will also need to keep a philosophy notebook. We will be discussing this in class regularly. The 1st 10 minutes of each class will be spent writing. The initial assignment can be downloaded here. Notebook There is also a website devoted to The Work of Byron Katie. It's well worth looking at for a way to avoid suffering. Other Resources Below are some websites that may be of help during the semester. An article entitled “Everybody Does It.” This is about cheating.
This is a link to the Josephson Ethics Institute http://josephsoninstitute.org/ This is a link to Ethics on the Web. http://commfaculty.fullerton.edu/lester/ethics/ethics_list.html This is a link to a Philosophy Encyclopedia. http://plato.stanford.edu/ This is a link that has a comprehensive list of philosophy websites. http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/philinks.htm Death Penalty / Capital Punishment Death Penalty Site Interesting Prison Story Did Texas recently execute an innocent man? Abortion Euthanasia Hospitals and Hurricane Katrina Animals Animal Treatment Videos Michael Pollen on Democracy Now 5/14/09
Economic Equality A film on Really Rich People Inside the Meltdown - Frontline The Warning - Frontine The Roots of the Financial Crisis Who Shredded our Safety Net - Mother Jones Naked Short Selling - Matt Taibbi at Rolling Stone Inside the Great American Bubble Machine
Sex Slaves - Frontline •(Whole Program) Child Prostitution NOW program Brian Copeland's The Suburban Wall A site that has a slide show of lynching photos. Here.
Grading Information Grades: * There will be two mid-term exams and a final. The 1st exam is worth 10%, the 2nd is worth 25% and the final is worth 15%. Total = 50% of the final grade. * There will be homework/ in-class writing assignments based on the readings, video clips and the lectures. Total = 24% of the final grade. [The first assignment is included below.] * There will also be a philosophy notebook to complete worth 7%. * There is a office discussion / summary worth 7%. * There is a Service Learning project worth 7% * The last 5% of the grade are based on attendance and participation.
A good reference on Plagiarism is located HERE Please make an effort to be on time. Arriving late disrupts the learning environment. If you need to leave a little earlier please do so. The classroom will always be open early so there will be a place to come and study, read, or write in the notebook. |
Philosophy Department
Date of last update1/22/09
Direct Questions or comments about this page to danielson@smccd.net
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