CASPER COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS

PHIL 2300-01 Ethics in Practice

Semester/Year: Fall 2008
Lecture Hours: 3

Lab Hours: 0

Credit Hours: 3

Class Time: 12:00-12:50 p.m.

Days: MWF

Room: AD 167

Instructor: Rev. Dr. Bryant D. Badger

Home Phone: 235-6056

Email: bryantbadger@bresnan.net
Office Hours: by appointment
Course Description: An introductory survey of some important ethical theories. A topical survey of
major ancient and modern ethical thinkers and a plurality of ethical principles by which we will judge
contemporary ethical issues in medicine, business, environment, etc.
Expanded Course Description: to define and understand basic ethical terms; fundamental
characteristics of some important ethical theories; understand basics of logic and argumentation and
their relevance to analyzing and discussing any moral/ethical issue; and to recognize the relevance of
moral issues to your life and work.
Statement of Prerequisites: ENGL 1020 or permission of the instructor.
Goal: to become excited, informed and aware about ancient & contemporary ethical issues and
behavior (social, political, personal, and to become critical and evaluative thinkers
Outcomes: class outcomes will be the result of a careful reading and discussion of class texts as a
topical survey, contemporary moral/ethical issues in the news, awareness of the vocabulary of ethics,
and three brief research papers on contemporary ethical concerns and their ethical/philosophical roots
identified by topic, philosophers, etc.
Methodology: reading of texts, lecture, class discussion, ethics in the news, vocabulary/definitions,
three brief research papers and exams. Paper suggestions: professional codes of ethics; medicine,
euthanasia, genetics, business, politics (national heath care, war & pacifism economics; justice &
gender, war/peace), environment/ecology; ethics & religion, sexuality (homosexuality, abortion, sex
& marriage), etc., etc.! *Additional daily participation: any ethical issue(s) as seen in newspapers or
periodicals (issue & source), and a written list of important vocabulary words and their definitions
(test item).
Evaluation Criteria: 1/3 on overall comprehension of textual readings; 1/3 on class preparation and
participation; and 1/3 on required papers & 2 exams. If late papers must be submitted it must be no
more than one week late. I do not grave on a curve. Grading scale: 100-94=A; 86-93=B; 78-85=C;
70-77=D; 0-69=F

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Required Text, Readings, and Materials:

Lawerence M. Hinman. Ethics: A Pluralistic Approach to Moral Theory, 4th ed., 2008
Peter Kreeft. A Refutation of Moral Relativism: Interviews with an Absolutist. 1999.
See additional lists of on-line resources, texts available from instructor, libraries, etc.
Class Policies
Last Date to Change to Audit Status or to Withdraw with a W Grade: November 14, 2008.
Daily attendance and preparation of required readings and papers is required. Roll is taken daily. In
class discussion well probe your understanding of the material we are covering. You are part of the
classroom group, and your contributions further others learning as well as your own. Any absences
will be made up with a 1-2 pg. outline of the assigned daily/weekly reading to be handed in the
next class period.
Etiquette in the classroom:
E.g.: all hats and caps will be removed during class. No popping of gum; no chew tobacco or eating
in class. Wear clothing appropriate for college class. No usage or answering of cell phones in class!
It must be shut off in the classroom. Students will not engage in private chat during class lectures or
discussions. Please be reflective and courteous in the class discussion of others questions,
understandings or opinions about the topic(s) under discussion. We are learnerstogether!
Student Rights and Responsibilities: Please refer to the Casper College Student Conduct and
Judicial Code for information concerning your rights and responsibilities as a Casper College Student.
Chain of Command: If you have any problems with this class, you should first contact the instructor
in order to solve the problem. If you are not satisfied with the solution offered by the instructor, you
should then take your problem through the appropriate chain of command starting with the department
head, then the division chair, and lastly the vice president for academic affairs.
Academic Dishonesty - Cheating & Plagiarism: Casper College demands intellectual honesty.
Proven plagiarism or any form of dishonesty associated with the academic process can result in the
offender failing the course in which the offense was committed or expulsion from school. See the
Casper College Student Code of Conduct.
ADA Accommodations Policy: It is the policy of Casper College to provide appropriate
accommodations to any student with a documented disability. If you have a need for accommodation
in this course, please make an appointment to see me at your earliest convenience.
Calendar : Class Schedule & Assignments (tentative)-MWF-12 noon, Rm. Adm. 167
Week 1:
M-Aug. 25 Semester begins! Get acquainted; introduction, definitions, etc.
W-Aug. 27 Lecture & handouts: ancient Greek philosophers/ethicists
F-Aug. 29 --

Week 2:
M-Sept. 1= Labor Day Holiday-Campus Closed (so sad!)
W-Sept. 3 Hinman, chapt. 1 The Moral Point of View
F-Sept. 5 --

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Week 3:
M-Sept. 8 Hinman, chapt. 2, Understanding the Diversity of Moral Beliefs
W-Sept. 10 --

F-Sept. 12 --

Week 4:
M-Sept. 15 Hinman, chapt. 3, The Ethics of Divine Commands: Religious Moralities
W-Sept. 17 --

F- Sept. 19 Hinman, chapt. 4, The Ethics of Selfishness: Egoism

Week 5:
M-Sept. 22 --

W-Sept. 24 Hinman, chapt. 5, The Ethics of consequences: Utilitarianism

F- Sept. 26 --

Week 6:
M-Sept. 29 --

W-Oct. 1 Hinman, chapt. 6, The Ethics of Duty: Immanuel Kant

F- Oct. 3 --

Week 7:
M-Oct. 6 Hinman, chapt. 7, The Ethics of Rights: Contemporary Theories
*Paper #1 due: 3-4 pgs., Ethics and My (anticipated) Profession (give references)
W-Oct. 8 Hinman, chapt. 7 (contd.)
F- Oct. 10 -
(Q & A; discussion of papers, etc.)
Week 8:
M-Oct. 13 =Mid term exam
W-Oct. 15 Hinman, chapt. 8, Justice: From Plato to Rawls
F- Oct. 17 =No Class; Dr. Badger gone (keep reading!)
Week 9:
M-Oct. 20 =Fall break, Oct. 20-21
W-Oct. 22 Hinman, chapt. 9, The Ethics of Character: Aristotle and Our Contemporaries
F- Oct. 24 --

Week 10:
M-Oct. 27 --

W-Oct. 29Hinman, chapt. 10, The Ethics of Diversity: Gender

F- Oct. 31 --

Week 11:
M-Nov. 3Hinman, chapt. 11, The Ethics of Diversity: Race, Ethnicity & Multiculturalism
Paper #2 due: 3-5 pgs. paper on a contemporary ethical issue, pro/con debate,
philosophers, themes, evaluation, etc., and list references.
W-Nov. 5 --

F- Nov. 7 Hinman, chapt. 12, Conclusion: Toward a Global Ethic of Peace

Week 12:
M-Nov. 10 Q & A: Review
W-Nov. 12 -- Lecture: Overview= Old Testament ethics: Proverbs, etc. (Judeo-Christian Heritage)
F- Nov. 14 Lecture: Overview= New Testament ethics

[or other religious faith(s) if interested. Special reports??]

Week 13:

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M-Nov. 17 Lecture: political ethics of N. Machiavelli (1469-1527) The Prince

W-Nov. 19 * Begin readings from Kreeft. A Refutation of Moral Relativism
Diological Interviews 1-4 (pgs. 11-63)
F- Nov. 21 = Advising day-no classes
Week 14:
M-Nov . 24 Kreeft contd (pgs. 11-63)
W-Nov. 26 =Thanksgiving break
F- Nov . 28 = Campus closed
Week 15:
M-Dec. 1 Kreft, Interviews 5 & 6 (pgs. 64-100)
*Paper #3 due: 3-5 pgs., choose a second contemporary ethical issue, pro/con, evaluation,
citing references, philosophical positions, etc.
W-Dec. 3

F- Dec. 5 Kreft, Interviews 7 & 8 (pgs. 101-135)

Week 16:
M-Dec. 8 Kreft, Interviews 9 & 10 (pgs. 123-149)
W-Dec. 10 Kreft, Interviews 11 (conclusion), pgs. 164-175)
F- Dec. 12 Q & A Class Review of Kerft
Week 17:
M-Dec. 15 = Final exams
W-Dec. 17 = Final exams; Dec. 18 Fall term ends
Week 18:
Dec. 25-Jan 1 = Holiday Break
++ +
Jan. 12, 2009 Spring term begins! . . . and the beat goes on . . . Yea!!
Internet Resources

Web Sources:
Amnesty International
http://www.amnesty.org/
BBC Religion & Ethics
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/news/index.shtml
Corp Watch:
http://www.corpwatch.org/
Ethics Update:
http://ethics.acusd.edu/
Evangelicals for Social Action:
http://www.esa-online.org/
Human Rights Watch:
http:/www.hrw.o;rg
Islamic Studies University of Georgia:
http://www.arches.uga.edu/-godlas/
Philosophy Comix
http://members.aol.com/lshauser/phlcomix.html
Religion Online:
http://www.religion-online.org/

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Religious Ethics Links:

http://www.chowan.edu/acadp/ethics/religious ethics links.htm
Religion & Ethics Newsweekly:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/index.html
Sojourners:
http://www.sojo.net

Library Resources: http://www.fsu.edu/libraries/

University of San Diego
http://ethics.sandiego.edu/lmh/textbooks/PlralisticsApproach.asp*Additional Resource Books [see Dr. Badger]
Joseph Fletcher. Situation Ethics (The New Morality), 1966. NC Library, 170 F635s
Erich Fromm. An Inquiry Into the Psychology of Ethics, 1947. NC Library, 171 Fromm
Gabriel Palmer-Fernandex. Moral Issues: Philosophical and Religious Perspectives. 1996.
CC Library, 170 M
Jones, et. al (eds.). Approaches to Ethics: Representative Selections from Classical
Times to the Present. 1962. CC Library: 170 J
Albert C. Knudson. The Principles of Christian Ethics, 1943 (see Badger)
Edwin T. Mitchell. A System of Ethics, 1950. (see Badger)
James Rachel. The Elements of Moral Philosophy, 4th ed.
James Rachels. The Right Thing to Do: Basic Readings in Moral Philosophy, 4th ed.
Alasdair MacIntyre. A Short History of Ethics: A history of Moral Philosophy from the
Homeric Age to the Twentieth Century, 2nd ed.
Theodore C. Denise. Great Traditions in Ethics, 12th ed.
Steven M. Cahn & Peter Markie. Ethics: History, Theory, and Contemporary Issues, 2nd ed.
Mel Thompson. Teach Yourself Ethics (NC Library)

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