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Philosophy
2325: Contemporary Moral Problems, Fall 2008 §10123,
09:25-10:40 TTh 28 Main Hall §10132,
12:15-01:30 TTh
28 Main Hall |
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Instructor: Dr.
Ron Novy Email:
rnovy@uca.edu Telephone: TBA |
Course Page: http://faculty.uca.edu/~rnovy Office: 16 Main
Hall Office Hrs: TTh 10:45-12:15; W 09:00-12:00; by appointment |
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Required Texts:
The
Elements of Moral Philosophy (5th ed) by James Rachels
& Stuart Rachels Watchmen by Alan Moore
& Dave Gibbons Additional materials available via the
course webpage. .
Course
Description: In this course, we will discuss the nature of morality, major ethical
theories, and questions of contemporary and historical interest to ethicists.
My goals are to guide you in the reading of philosophical texts, to help to
develop your evaluative skills regarding contemporary ethical issues, and,
more generally, to familiarize you with the critical techniques underlying
philosophical thought. This course is a humanities general education
elective. Preparation and
Expectations: Students are expected to attend all class sessions, to be familiar
with the day’s assigned reading prior to each meeting, and to actively
participate in classroom discussions. Students are strongly encouraged to
visit the course web site regularly and to print all handouts and overheads
prior to each class meeting. Grading: There are 500 points available. Your
course grade will be determined as follows: two exams (100 pts. each), three
response papers (50 pts. each), one extended paper (100 pt) and one turn as
discussion leader (50 pts.), Due dates for assignments are firm; no makeup
exams are given. · Response Papers: Each student will submit three brief essays in
response to assigned readings. · Extended Paper: Near the semester’s end, each
student will submit a short paper on a topic to be assigned by the
professor. · Discussion Leader: Each student will be assigned to lead
discussion on one class reading. This task includes supplying each member of
the class with a précis of that reading. See course
webpage for specific information on each of the requirements above. · Exams: There will be
two exams combining equal parts objective and short essay questions. · Extra Credit: A limited number of opportunities for
small amounts of extra credit may be available. Class Attendance: Roll will be
taken each meeting; this will act as a ceiling on course grades. A student’s
final grade will not exceed the percentage of classes attended. Additional Notes: Academic Dishonesty: The
academic community regards academic dishonesty as an extremely serious matter
with serious consequences ranging from failing the assignment to expulsion
from the university. When in doubt regarding plagiarism, quotation,
collaboration, etc. consult with the instructor. For further information
regarding UCA’s academic misconduct policy, see the UCA Student Handbook.
Sexual
Harassment:
Sexual harassment by any faculty member, staff member, or student is a
violation of both federal law and university policy. For information
regarding the university’s sexual harassment policy, see the UCA Student
Handbook. Gadgets: The use of lap
tops, telephones, PDAs, and similar devices in the classroom is prohibited. |
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CMP Reading and Assignment Schedule: Fall 2008 |
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August
21 Introduction;
Ring of Gyges '
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August
26 Knowledge, Opinion, Evidence |
August
28 Thinking
Unclearly, Arguing Badly |
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September
2 Elements
of Moral Philosophy 1: What is
Morality? ' |
September
4 |
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September
9 Elements
of Moral Philosophy 2:The Challenge
of Cultural Relativism ' |
September
11 Plotz: Gimme Some Skin Saletan: Wok the Dog Baxter:
People
or Penguins |
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September
16 Elements
of Moral Philosophy 3:
Subjectivism in Ethics ' 5: Ethical
Egoism |
September
18 |
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September
23 Elements
of Moral Philosophy |
September
25 Elements
of Moral Philosophy |
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September
30 |
October
2 Elements
of Moral Philosophy |
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October
7 Elements
of Moral Philosophy |
October
9 Exam #1 |
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October
14 Dworkin: Pornography
Happens to Women Dworkin &
MacKinnon: The
Antipornography Civil Rights Ordinance |
October
16 Fall Break |
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October
21 Elements
of Moral Philosophy 8: Are There
Absolute Moral Rules? ' |
October
23 Anscombe: Mr. Truman’s Degree Moseley: Just War Theory |
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October
28 Elements
of Moral Philosophy 9: Kant and
Respect for Persons ' |
October
30 Van
den Haag: The
Ultimate Punishment: A Defense |
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November
4 Elements
of Moral Philosophy 10: The Idea of
a Social Contract ' |
November
6 Ridley: The New Eugenics: Better than the Old Robertson: The Question of Human Cloning |
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November
11 Watchmen #1:
At Midnight, All the Agents... #2: Absent
Friends #3: The
Judge of All the Earth |
November
13 Watchmen #4:
Watchmaker #5:
Fearful Symmetry #6: The
Abyss Gazes Also |
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November
18 Watchmen #7: A
Brother to Dragons #8: Old Ghosts #9: The
Darkness of Mere Being |
November
20 Watchmen #10: Two
Riders were Approaching #11: Look
on My Works, Ye Mighty... #12: A
Stronger Loving World |
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November
25 Elements
of Moral Philosophy 11: Feminism and
the Ethic of Care ' |
November
27 Thanksgiving |
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December
2 Elements
of Moral Philosophy 12: The Ethics
of Virtue ' |
December
4 Stewart:
The
Limits of Trooghaft McGinn: Apes, Humans, Aliens, Vampires, and Robots |
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Finals Week Exam #2: §10123, Dec. 11, 8:00 am Exam #2: §10132, Dec. 11, 2:00 pm |
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