Introduction to Ethics

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Class
PHIL 2306
The systematic evaluation of classical and/or contemporary ethical theories concerning the good life, human conduct in society, morals, and standards of value.
Course Learning Objectives

  1. To familiarize the student with the general history of ethical thought.
  2. To familiarize the student with the most prominent ethical philosophers in western thought.
  3. To familiarize the student with basic ethical theory and its evolution in history.
  4. To provide an academic setting for discussion and reflection on ethical thoughts, ideas, and issues.
  5. To demonstrate how such discussion and reflection is relevant to the student, the surrounding culture, and the student’s engagement with that culture.
Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will:

  1. Read, analyze, and critique philosophical texts.
  2. Define and appropriately use important terms such as relativism, virtue, duty, rights, utilitarianism, natural law, egoism, altruism, autonomy, and care ethics.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of major arguments and problems in ethics.
  4. Present and discuss well-reasoned ethical positions in writing.
  5. Apply ethical concepts and principles to address moral concerns.
  6. Apply course material to various aspects of life.
  7. Discuss ways of living responsibly in a world where people have diverse ethical beliefs.
Required Textbooks
Vaughn, Lewis. Beginning Ethics: An Introduction to Moral Philosophy. W.W. Norton, 2015., Pojman, Louis P. and Lewis Vaughn, eds. The Moral Life: An Introductory Reader in Ethics and Literature, 6th ed. Oxford UP, 2018.
ISBN-10
9780393937909, 9781319416454
Evaluation Standards

  1. Instructors will give between 2 and 4 major examinations plus a final examination over the material.
  2. Instructors may utilize minor quizzes, such as chapter quizzes or tests, at their discretion.
  3. Instructors may assign daily/weekly homework that may be included as a component of the final course grade at their discretion.
  4. Instructors may assign reading summaries and reflective essays at their discretion.
  5. Instructors may include participation grades as a component of the final grade, and may use attendance as a factor in determining course grades, at their discretion.

Attendance Policy

Class attendance is an integral part of education. The dialogue between instructor and student forms the cornerstone in the acquisition of knowledge. Each instructor will check attendance daily and may at his/her discretion use attendance as one of the grading components of the class. The actual attendance policy will be provided to the student in the course outline at the beginning of the course.
Instructional Methods
Lecture, discussion, outside reading, and audiovisual materials may be used to present this course.
Required Institutional Core Learning Outcomes

Communication (COM), Critical Thinking (CT), Personal Responsibility (PR), Social Responsibility (SR)

Disabilities

ADA Statement:

Any student with a documented disability (e.g. learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) may contact the Office on the Weatherford College Weatherford Campus to request reasonable accommodations. Phone: 817-598-6350 Office Location: Office Number 118 in the Student Services Building, upper floor. Physical Address: Weatherford College 225 College Park Drive Weatherford, TX.

Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity is fundamental to the educational mission of Weatherford College, and the College expects its students to maintain high standards of personal and scholarly conduct. Academic dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an examination or other academic work, plagiarism, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials including unauthorized use of Generative AI. Departments may adopt discipline specific guidelines on Generative AI usage approved by the instructional dean. Any student who is demonstrated to have engaged in any of these activities will be subject to immediate disciplinary action in accordance with institutional procedures.
Hope Statement
Any student who faces challenges securing basic resources such as food, clothing, or housing and believes this may affect their performance in their course of study is urged to contact the Director of Student Resources, Dr. Deborah Cregger, for support at (817) 598-6444. Her office is on the first floor of Student Services. If the student prefers, they may contact their instructor, who can reach out on their behalf. Weatherford College also provides the Coyote Pantry. The Pantry maintains boxed and canned foods for students in need. The location of the Coyote Pantry is two blocks west of the Weatherford campus at the Baptist Student Ministry (118 E. Park Ave., Weatherford). Pantry hours are Mon-Thurs. 8:30 am-4:30 pm and Fri. 8.30 am-12:00 pm (817-599-6586).
Student Intellectual Property Rights

The following statement regarding student intellectual property rights shall be included in each course outline.

A student shall retain all rights to work created as part of instruction or using College District technology resources.

Revised
Fall 2021
Last Modified
Monday, September 20, 2021, 11:49 AM