Doug Thiel

 

California Lutheran University Winter Session 2011/12 ADEP

 Woodland Hills   Off-Site Location

  Social Ethics - Philosophy 315 Mondays 6-9:30

 Instructor: Doug Thiel Website: http://faculty.oxnardcollege.edu/thiel

 Email: dthiel@vcccd.edu             Home Phone: 805-649-3720

  Course Description: We will examine moral theories in philosophy with a view towards practical applications inherent in social settings. We will work to develop the skills necessary to engage in informed evaluations of moral issues. This means going beyond merely accumulating "moral facts" to a consideration of what ought to count as the moral foundations for one's intuitions in this area of the human experience.

 Course Textbook: Social and Personal Ethics, edited by William H. Shaw. Wadsworth, seventh edition – ISBN 13: 978-0-538-45256-4

  Learning Objectives/Course Goals:

 The student will be able to articulate the differences between basic moral theories. These will include, moral egoism, cultural relativism, divine command theory, utilitarianism, deontology and virtue ethics.

The student will understand and practice the writing of a "position paper" which will contain the following elements: thesis, thesis defense correlated with course materials and a rebuttal criterion.

 The student will enhance their confidence in oral communication through group discussions, individual presentations and other forms of class participation.

 These educational objectives address the following CLU Student Learning Outcomes:

  Professional Preparation

a. Field Specific Knowledge and Experience
b. Ethical and Professional Judgment
c. Interpersonal and Teamwork Skills

Liberal Learning
a. Written Communication Skills
b. Oral Communication Skills
c. Information Literacy
d. Understanding of Cultural and Global Diversity

Character and Leadership Development
a. Appreciation of diversity
b. Growth in identity and values
c. Principled leadership

Learning Activities: I strongly support adult learning strategies. In a nutshell, the least effective way to educate adults is through the "talking head" lecture mode. While it is necessary for an instructor to provide explanations, the most effective adult learning environments include break-out group (peer) discussions, presentations by members of the class, class discussion and multi-media approaches (which for this class will include videos that illustrate the various moral dilemmas under consideration).

Grading: The mid-term will count as 45% of your course grade. The term paper will count as 45% of your course grade. The final 10% will be based on attendance, class participation and the extra credit presentations. Remember attendance is not optional. This course only has 11 scheduled class meetings. You must notify me of any absences and you will receive a make-up assignment which will be factored into your grade. The best way to notify me is via my email address (or by phone). CLU uses a grading system that includes half grades (using a plus or a minus to a letter grade).

 

See Below

 

92%-100%: A	77%-78%: C+
90%-91%: A-	71%-76%: C
86%-89%: B+	69%-70%: C-
81%-85%: B	65%-68%: D
79%-80%: B-	<65%: F

Other Considerations: A course in social ethics is a course in philosophy. Philosophy is not a particular religion nor is it a science course. Our evaluations will center on the use of "reason". This course is not a course designed to challenge anyone's preconceived moral paradigms. However, in order to be objective, it is important to "bracket-out" preconceived solutions to the social issues we will discuss. Give them a "fresh" objective reading. This is easier said than done. In philosophy we deal with developing and refining the appropriate questions that arise. This does not mean that philosophy does not seek "answers"...it means that philosophy does not seek superficial answers. And the rationales employed in philosophy should appeal to both the believer and non-believer alike. Which means that philosophy attempts to use "reason" and "logic" that is neutral with regards to a particular orientation. I will cover this in the first night of class. At all times, I will expect that student treat each other with dignity and respect. This should be a class that you look forward to attending.

Addition Hours Outside Class: Reading Assignments, preparation for class that includes homework and writing assignments, a mid-term essay developmental exam and a final paper requires work outside of class. We will employ internet sites (such as turnitin.com and intelecom.net). Intelecom.com will allow you to view videos that may assist you in understanding the underlying moral philosophy. These hours needed to complete the course outside of class will vary from 40-60 hours depending on the student.

 Disclaimer:

 This syllabus may change from time to time to accommodate changing circumstances. Every effort will be made to alert students to changes that occur in a timely manner. The class schedule is presented below. While the material will be covered in the order presented in the schedule, the actual timing may change from week to week as the course progresses.

  Course Evaluations Statement:

All course evaluations are now conducted online. Your feedback is important to us. You will receive an email message reminding you when the website is open for your feedback. The link is: http://courseval.callutheran.edu

 

 Schedule of Classes

 Nov 21 -. First night of class. Students will have read pages 39-57 of the class text. We will go over the three moral theories outlined in the above "learning objectives". This will provide us with a baseline for further moral evaluations. Some video excerpts will be used to illustrate these theories in real-life situations. A "class representative" will be chosen (hope to have some volunteers!). This person will present concerns from the class to the University (it entails only one meeting...and a free breakfast). The reading assignment for next time will be p. 31-38 of the text (Rachels on Cultural Relativism).

 Nov 28 - We will have a short quiz (not graded) to assess our understanding of the moral theories under discussion. We will break into groups and each group will be assigned a question from the reading assignment ("The Challenge of Cultural Relativism"). We will re-assemble as a group and a group spokes person will lead a class discussion in the question that was assigned to that group. Before class ends, each group will be assigned an essay to read (and present) from the section on "Abortion".

 Dec 5 - The five different essays on abortion (in your text) will be discussed by the group assigned to each essay. At the beginning of class each group will be allowed to meet to discuss how best to make their presentation to the class. As your instructor, I will facilitate this process. The assignment for next week will be another series of essays (using group assignments once more). The topic will be "Animal and Environmental Ethics"  During this week register with http://www.turnitin.com that is where you will submit your mid-term exam and final papers.  There are directions at this webisite http://faculty.oxnardcollege.edu/thiel  that can walk you through registering.  However, it is not difficult.  In registering use an email address that your frequently check.  The password is socrates and the course ID is 4565566.

 Dec 12 - Similar format to the previous week. Groups will meet to discuss the essay assigned to that group. Strategies for presenting this information to the class at large will be developed and implemented. This is our last class before our mid-term exam. I will review the content of that exam.  It will be an open book exam that you submit to turnitin.com  We will not meet on Jan 2.  Instead you will complete your mid-term exam for that class session.  I will post the mid-term exam at my website on Dec 13.

 Christmas/New Year Break

 Jan 2 - . Mid-term exam. . The deadline for submitting your exame to turnitin.com is Jan 5.  Late mid-terms are not accepted.  For the Jan 10th class you will be given reading assignments from the text sections on "Pornography and Sexual Morality".  I will email those assignments to you.

 Jan 9. Mid-terms returned. Questions will be distributed for the assigned essay readings. Reading assignments for Jan 16th will be assigned.

 Jan 16 - We will discuss the reading assignment using break-out groups. The reading assignments for next week will cover "Punishment and the Death Penalty". I will also give formal guidelines regarding the term paper which will be due on Feb 13th.

Jan 23- In the first half of the class we will discuss the articles read on the Death Penalty. In the second half, I will provide an outline on "Just War Theory". For next week, I will offer extra credit for students who wish to read and present articles from the text on economic justice and business ethics.

 Jan 30. Student presentations for extra credit.

 Feb 6- Each student will read a rough draft of their final term paper in class. Students will have the opportunity to receive feedback from their peers. Afterward, I will have a short session with each student to ensure that they have a clear direction to pursue for their final draft of the term paper (due next week).

  Feb 13 - Final papers due to turnitin.com

 Policy of Academic Honesty: The education programs of California Lutheran University are designed and dedicated to achieve academic excellence, honesty and integrity at every level of student life. Part of CLU's dedication to academic excellence is our commitment to academic honesty. Students, faculty, staff and administration share the responsibility for maintaining high levels of scholarship on campus. Any behavior or act which might be defined as "deceitful" or "dishonest" will meet with appropriate disciplinary sanctions, including dismissal from the University, suspension, grade of F in a course, or various forms of academic probation.

  DISABILITY STATEMENT:

  California Lutheran University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in compliance with ADA of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to students with documented disabilities.  If you are a student requesting accommodations for this course, please contact your professor at the beginning of the semester and register with the Accessibility Resource Coordinator for the facilitation and verification of need.  The Accessibility Resource Coordinator is located in the Center for Academic and Accessibility Resources (CAAR) Office in Pearson Library, and can be contacted by calling 805.493.3878 or emailing wperkins@callutheran.edu.

 PEARSON LIBRARY:

 At Cal Lutheran we won't tell you what to think — we'll teach you how to think. You'll learn how to gather information, analyze and synthesize. Don't worry about the "gathering"... that's the easy part. We have technicians, information specialists, and trainers to help you find the information you need.  Pearson Library provides access to scholarly books, journals, ebooks, and databases of full text articles from scholarly journals.  To begin using these materials, visit the library web page http://www.callutheran.edu/iss/research/ .  

  Librarians are available to assist you at the Thousand Oaks campus or via Meebo chat on the Library’s home page or emailing CLULibrary@callutheran.edu.  You may contact the library at (805) 493-3250.  If you attend classes at one of CLU’s satellite locations, see http://www.callutheran.edu/iss/research/satellite.php  for the full range of services provided.

 CLU WRITING CENTER

 Experienced Writing Center tutors help CLU's undergraduate and graduate students with their writing projects: reading freewrites to find the best ideas; refining thesis statements; showing students how to structure paragraphs; and using specific exercises to improve sentence syntax. They work with whole classes as well as with individual students on the style guidelines required for papers in the various disciplines.

 All enrolled CLU students are invited to make use of our services. For additional information, please visit http://www.callutheran.edu/writing_center/ , call 805-493-3257, book online at GenBook, or stop by the Writing Center (The Darling Collaboration Suite in the library) to schedule an appointment.