Ethics and Social Issues syllabus (Summer 2013)

- WARNING: This syllabus is not yet finalized, expect changes in topics and schedule. Class will meet on campus on Tuesdays ONLY. Each Thurday, an onlin Lecture and Assignment will be released in SacCT, which will be due by the next day (Friday) at by noon.

• Instructor: Scott Merlino, Ph.D., email: merlino@csus.edu
• Office Hours: Before and after class meetings in 3026 Mendocino Hall, Department of Philosophy
• Read this FAQ: Official policies for assignments, grades, attendance, etc.
  
  

Course Description

PHIL 101. Ethics and Social Issues. Moral controversies that divide society today, such as abortion, the death penalty, affirmative action, sexism, war and peace. Emphasis is on identifying the relevant values and moral principles underlying competing views and subjecting them to rational assessment.

• This course satisfies the Area D2 General Education requirement by discussing major social issues of the contemporary era. See the schedule above for specific issues.
  
  
• This is a Writing Intensive course which means by the end of the course that each student will write a minimum of at least 5000 words. Some of this writing will occur in the classroom and some will occur online in SacCT.
  
  
• This is a hybrid course which means that some required course activities will occur online so there will be less face-to-face time in the classroom. Class only meets on campus on Tuedays. For instance, some course work will be completed online and there will be a proportionate reduction in classroom meeting times. Notice: Each on-campus meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. and end at 9:30 p.m. The class does not meet on any Thursdays.

Prerequisite: GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X. Graded: Graded Student. Units: 3.0

Required course text: Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Moral Issues, by Stephen Satris (2012, 13th ed.) - appx. $60

Assignments, Grades and Attendance

• Attendance is mandatory but non-attendance is not penalized, it is not part of your course grade. Nevertheless, if you miss a meeting, then you miss important material and quizzes and presentations, which you will not be able to make-up.
  
  
• Grades are based on 6 quizzes, 1 presentation-paper, and 5 online peer-reviews. Starting with meeting #4, there will be a written in-class quiz at the end of each session based on assigned reading and class discussion for a total of 6 quizzes (12 pts each). Every student will also produce and post online one 2500 word paper and then present it in a pre-arranged class meeting (72 pts). Each student will also submit 5 peer evaluations online in response to each student in-class presentation (15 pts each). No make-ups offered, absolutely, no exceptions - time is short and there are plenty of points available so that one can miss a quiz or evaluation and still do well in the course.
  
  
• Handouts and other supplementary material are presented in SacCT via the homepage for this course.
  
  
• Please keep track of your own grades via SacCT, I don't do grade checks, since you can do it for yourself.
  
  
• When and where is the final for this course? The final is just the last in-class quiz.
  
  
• How are grades determined? For any score received in this course, that score corresponds roughly to a letter grade on my grade scale based on the points earned. Your course grade = total points earned divided by 15, I then take this number and apply my letter grade scale. For example, suppose you earn 144 points (out 216 possible points), then divide 144 by 15 to get 9.6, which corresponds to a B on my grade scale. For details, see the FAQ, section 3. No grade in this course is based on any rounding, averages, or curves.
  
  

Objectives

1. DEFINE basic ethical terms used in the course,
2. DISTINGUISH various ethical concepts, theories and positions,
3. ENGAGE in cogent and respectful discussion about controversial ethical issues,
4. ANALYZE and PRODUCE practical, principle-based ethical arguments,
5. APPLY ethical theories to moral dilemmas in professional and personal life.
   
   

Services to CSUS Students with Disabilities

If you have a disability and require accommodations, you need to provide me with your offical documentation from SSWD, which is in Lassen Hall 1008, (916) 278-6955. Please discuss accommodation needs with me ASAP during my office hours or by appt. early in the semester so that we may make a plan to help you out.

CSUS Policies and Procedures Regarding Academic Honesty

Review all academic responsibilities, definitions, sanctions and rights described herein.