Course Syllabus

You must have the textbook for this course.  See below.  You can also click on the bookstore link on the college home page.  Just find your course and you will find the correct text.

Philosophy 014--Introduction to Ethics

Professor Rebecca Hertsgaard 

REQUIRED TEXTS: Exploring Ethics:  An Introductory Anthology, by Steven M. Cahn; ISBN 9780190273637; Oxford University Press, 2009, FOURTH edition 

Instructor e-mail:  rhertsgaard@collegeofthedesert.edu

Instructor campus phone:  760-346-8011 Ext. 5776

Cell (I respond very quickly to texts):(714) 624-2359

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP THIS SYLLABUS SOMEWHERE SAFE.  IT IS YOUR MAIN REFERENCE DOCUMENT FOR THE SEMESTER. 

 COURSE OBJECTIVES: 

Ethics is the study of morality.  This course will present a systematic examination of the concepts of moral right and wrong, asking what we call “The Ethical Question”:  What is the nature of eudaimonia, or, ‘the good life’?  In the midst of the pressing moral issues of our society today, we will study the application of moral principles as they attempt to resolve these significant moral difficulties.  Theories of normative (prescriptive) ethics and meta-ethics will be presented, in the light of what I like to call “applied ethics.”  The concepts of presenting an effective moral argument will be a major focus.  Most significantly, we will focus on the idea of how ethical theories can be pragmatically applied in all aspects of our lives.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1. Describe and assess ethical and moral principles.
2. Apply moral and ethical theories to contemporary events.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Because this is an ethics class, we will, no doubt, enter into some spirited discussions.  In that light, then, we must be absolutely certain that we respect differing points of view and debate them with respect.  In this regard, respect for both your fellow classmates and your instructor will be paramount.
2. This class will include a fair amount of writing, wherein you will be asked to make ethical arguments.  We will also have one (or more, if time permits) team debate; you may be asked to defend a side you do not agree with.  This will involve your assessing all sides of a moral problem and actually attempting to defend a view not necessarily conforming to your own. 
3. Because we will be discussing current moral problems, you are encouraged to bring newspaper or magazine articles to class for discussion.  IF YOU BRING AN ARTICLE FROM THE INTERNET, THAT’S GREAT—JUST PLEASE THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATE THE ACCURACY OF THE ARTICLE.  Your article MUST pertain to some facet of ethics, in a pertinent and timely manner.  DO NOT BRING ANYTHING FROM WIKIPEDIA, AS IT IS SELF-EDITED AND NOT ALWAYS ACCURATE.  MOREOVER, DO NOT CONSIDER “THE ONION” TO BE A FACT-BASED WEBSITE.  It is meant to be satirical.
4. If you need to miss a class you should notify me at the above e-mail address, or by text, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, PREFERABLY BEFORE THE CLASS, in order to be excused.  Failure to do so will result in an unexcused absence.  IF YOU HAVE THREE UNEXCUSED ABSENCES BY THE DATE I SUBMIT MY COMPLETED ROSTER I WILL DROP YOU.  While your attendance does not technically make up a percentage of your final grade, your good attendance could favorably affect your final grade. 
5. I do not respond well to tardiness, and I respond even less well to habitual tardiness—it is exceedingly disrespectful, both to me and to your fellow students.  I take roll at the beginning of the class period.  If you are not in the classroom when roll is taken, you will be considered absent or tardy.  If you leave after I take roll, without informing me that you will be doing so, you will be marked absent.  If you are habitually late (more than three times in a row) I will assume that this class is not important enough to you to be in the classroom on time and I will discuss with you whether you wish to remain in the class.
6. If you miss a class, arrange to get the notes from another student—not from me.  I give my notes during my lecture.  It is your responsibility to acquire them. 
7. Cell phones:  Please power down your cell phones while you are in class.  If you absolutely MUST make, or answer, a call, please leave the classroom—QUIETLY—to do so. 
8. Texting during class is insulting, to me, and to your classmates.  You are adults.
9. Headphones or earphones:  Take them off. If I see you sitting in class wearing headphones or earbuds, I will assume you are not interested in the class.
10. Computers:  I have no objection to the use of computers for note-taking.  If, however, you abuse this privilege by playing games or doing other activities, you will not be allowed to bring your computer to class.  This is disrespectful to everyone around you, as well as to the instructor.  If you need to play games, do it somewhere else.
11. Because your exams will be largely essay exams, with only a few objective questions, learn how to effectively use your computer’s spell-check and grammar-check tools, as well as the Thesaurus.  If you are unsure of the spelling of a word, look it up!  If grammar-check informs you that a sentence is incomplete or poorly worded, use it to help you make proper sentences.  Also, use any MLA-approved handbook you can find to help you write good academic papers.  I have little respect for papers that are written purely conversationally.  We’re not texting here. “Could of” is not a phrase.  And “anyways” is not a word.  You can generally submit your papers on Canvas, through VeriCite.
    

Again, because of the nature of this class, you will often be required to write papers outside of class.  The work must be turned in on the day it is due.  If your paper is late, unless you have cleared it with me beforehand, you will receive no more than half credit of whatever grade you would have earned.  Being called in to work extra shifts is not an excuse for not completing your assignments.  You registered for the course—you must take responsibility for doing the work and turning it in on time. There may be occasions when you can submit your work on Canvas; however, because I give written feedback on your papers, I generally prefer them to be printed.

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. I will make every effort to provide a safe and stimulating learning environment.
2. I will grade your papers fairly and return them to you in a timely manner. 
3. Even though I am dreadful at remembering names, I will try my utmost to learn, and remember, who you are.  And I’ll never forget your face!
4. OFFICE HOURS:  By appointment. I do not have an official office, but I will make myself available whenever I can to help you with any issues or to answer any questions.  Adjunct offices are located in the Hilb.
5. I will respect you as an individual, and I will respect your opinions and allow you to voice them openly and courteously.  I will never try to convince you of my own opinions.
6. You should be aware that I consider my class a “safe zone.”
7. If you have any issues that hinder your effective participation in this class in any way, please come and talk to me.  I am willing to assist in any way possible.  However, I am not a fan of bad attitudes.

EXAMS AND GRADING:

Your grade will be calculated via in-class exams, pop quizzes, and in-class or take-home essay assignments.  Quizzes are scored on basic point value (this includes the final, which will be cumulative).  

THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP FOR THE FINAL EXAM. 

If you miss a regular exam, you must contact me IMMEDIATELY, preferably before the exam, to make up this exam.  Unless you are absolutely unable to attend the next class because of emergency or illness, you must make up the exam at the next regularly scheduled class period.  Failure to take an exam will result in an F for that exam (your course grade will, of course, drop to at least a C).  The exams will be largely essay in format, with, occasionally, a few objective questions.  Some exams may be take-home in format.  THERE WILL ALSO BE EXTRA ASSIGNED ESSAYS.  We will not be writing formal ethical arguments for a few weeks, but other papers may be assigned.

EXTRA CREDIT:  You will be given a guide for extra-credit work.

KEEP ALL YOUR PAPERS, QUIZZES, AND EXAMS.  I want to make sure you get all your work properly credited, so if I have made a mistake in grading, we can fix it. 

Special Needs:

If you have a physical, psychiatric/emotional, medical, or learning disability that may impact your ability to carry out assigned course work, I urge you to contact the staff in the Office of Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS) at 760-773-2534.  DSPS will review your concerns and determine, with you, what accommodations are necessary and appropriate.  All information and documentation is confidential. Please notify me if you are having problems getting the assistance you need. 

PLAGIARISM:  ACADEMIC HONESTY:

If it is determined that plagiarism has occurred in any papers you submit, you will receive a zero for that paper, and, at my discretion, the occurrence will be reported to the Dean and/or you may be dropped from the class.  

If it is determined that cheating has occurred on an exam, BOTH PARTIES will receive a zero for the exam, and, at my discretion, you may be dropped from the class.