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Alma College

PHL126: Introduction to Values

 

PHL126 introduction to values INSTRUCTOR: Larry Hauser email:  lshauser@wutsamada.com  virtual office: http://members.aol.com/lshauser/virtoff.html Office:  SAC 246 Phone: 7015 Home: 517-482-2923 Office Hours: 4:00-4:50 TTh WebPage: LH's Philosophy Resources, Etc.: http:members.aol.com/lshauser

TEXTS (required):

• The Elements of Moral Philosophy (2nd Edition), James Rachels, McGraw-Hill Inc.
• Practical Ethics, Peter Singer, Cambridge University Press.

DESCRIPTION: Exploration of moral values, nature of moral judgments, and bases for moral decisions. Practice in decision making. Study of such controversial contemporary issues as capital punishment, abortion, privacy, death-with-dignity, racism and sexism. Focus on person as individual and member of society.  After a brief survey of various ethical theories, students will present papers applying theoretical principles to the resolution of selected moral problems (see calendar below).  
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  GRADES WILL BE BASED ON  

ASSIGNMENT	DUE DATE	VALUE
Homework & Quizzes	periodically	1/4 of course
Midterm Examination	Thursday, February 25	1/6 of course
Term Paper	date presented.  Rewrites: April 15.	1/4 of course
Final Examination	as scheduled	1/3 of course

 

COURSE CALENDAR 
Class regularly meets 1:00-2:50 TTh in SAC108 (note exceptions below) 

MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY
Jan. 11	What is Morality Rachels pp. 1-14	Jan. 13	Cultural Relativism pp. 15-29	Jan. 15
Jan. 18	Subjectivism pp. 30-43	Jan. 20	Morality and  Religion pp. 44-61	Jan. 22
Jan. 25	Psychological  Egoism pp. 62-74	Jan. 27	Ethical  Egoism pp. 75-89	Jan. 29
Feb. 1	Utilitarianism pp. 90-101	Feb. 3	Criticisms of Utilitarianism pp. 102-116	Feb. 5
Feb. 8	Kant & Absolute Rules pp. 117-126	Feb. 10	Kant, Dignity, & Retribution pp. 127-138	Feb. 12
Feb. 15	The Idea of a Social Contract pp. 139-158	Feb. 17	The Ethics of Virtue pp. 159-179	Feb. 19
Feb. 22	Organize & Review	Feb. 24	Midterm Examination Singer pp. 1-15	Feb. 26
Mar. 1	Spring Break No class!	Mar. 3	Spring Break No Class!	Mar. 5
Mar. 8	Discrimination & Affirmative Action pp. 1-16	Mar. 10	Discrimination & Affirmative Action pp. 16-54	Mar. 12
Mar. 15	Animal Rights: Animal Suffering pp. 55-82	Mar. 17	Taking Animal Lives: Vegetarianism pp. 110-134	Mar. 19
Mar. 22	Fetal Rights & Abortion pp. 135-174	Mar. 24	Euthanasia &  the Death Penalty pp. 175-217	Mar. 26
Mar. 29:	Rich and Poor pp. 218-246	Mar. 31	Insiders and Outsiders: Immigration pp. 247-263	Apr. 2
Apr. 5	Environmental Preservation v. Use pp. 264-288	Apr. 7	Honors Day: No Class!	Apr. 9
Apr. 12:	pp. 289-335 Ends and Means, Why Act Morally	Apr. 14	Review rewrites due	Apr. 16
Apr. 19	Finals Week	Apr. 21	Finals Week	Apr. 23
MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY