Text:
Rachels, James. The Elements of Moral Philosophy. 3rd ed. New York: McGraw Hill,
1999. (EMP)
Baldwin, James. Giovanni’s Room. New York: Bantam, 1956.
McCourt, Frank. Angela’s Ashes: A Memoir. New York: Scribner, 1996.
WEEK 1: (8/22)
Introduction to the course.
WEEK 2: (8/27-29)
EMP Ch. 1, Moral Philosophy
WEEK 3: (9/3 -5)
EMP Ch. 4, Religion and Morality
WEEK 4: (9/10-12)
EMP Ch. 2, Cultural Relativism
Ch. 3,
Ethical Subjectivism
Ch. 5,
Psychological Egoism
Ch. 6,
Ethical Egoism
WEEK 5: (9/17-19)
Angela’s Ashes
2 page paper, "Are there any objective, universal moral truths?" Be prepared to discuss your paper in a small group, 9/17.
WEEK 6: (9/24-26)
Angela’s Ashes
WEEK 7: (10/1-3) and WEEK 8: (10/8-10)
Angela’s Ashes
EMP Ch. 7 & 8, Utilitarianism
Rough Draft of Mid-term due, 10/3. Mid-term Due, 10/8.
WEEK 9: (10/15-17) and WEEK 10: (10/22-24)
EMP Ch. 9 & 10, Kant
2 page paper, "Are consequences all that matters in determining an action moral right or wrong?" Be prepared to discuss your paper in a small group, 9/15.
WEEK 11: (10/29-31)
EMP Ch. 11, Social Contract Theory
2 page paper, "Is it ever right to break the law?" Be prepared to discuss your paper in a small group, 10/31.
WEEK 12: (11/5-7) and WEEK 13: (11/12-14)
EMP Ch 12, Feminism and the Ethics of Care
Giovanni’s Room
WEEK 14: (11/19-21)
Giovanni’s Room
2 page paper, Do you believe that women and men would create different ethical views, based on their gender? Be prepared to discuss your paper in a small group, 11/14.
Bibliography Due: 11/19
WEEK 15: (11/26-28) and WEEK 16: (12/3-5)
EMP Ch. 13, Virtue Ethics
EMP Ch. 14, Ethics Without Hubris
WEEK 17: (12/10-12)
Final Projects and Presentations
Last day of class, Wednesday, Dec. 12th, 2001.
Return to Ethics
handout.