I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Honors Ethics

2. Course Prefix & Number:
PHIL 2421

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 3

Lecture Hours: 3

4. Course Description:

This philosophy course will focus on examination of basic ethical considerations as presented in primary writings of major philosophers. Concentrated analysis of problems of good and evil and theories of human moral conduct will form the basis of writing assignments and class discussion forums. Courses in the Honors Program emphasize independent inquiry, informed discourse, and direct application within small, transformative, and seminar-style classes that embrace detailed examinations of the material and feature close working relationships with instructors. In addition, students learn to leverage course materials so that they can affect the world around them in positive ways.

5. Placement Tests Required:

Accuplacer (specify test):

Writing Honors College Level

Score:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

7. Other Prerequisites
One of the following: ACT English score 24, ACT Reading score 24, Accuplacer Reading Comprehension score 78, Accuplacer NextGen Reading score 250, High School GPA 3.0, Or permission from the instructor or Honors Coordinator

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

III. Course Purpose

1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course is required for the following program(s):

 

2. MN Transfer Curriculum (General Education) Courses - This course fulfills the following goal area(s) of the MN Transfer Curriculum:

• Goal 6 – Humanities and Fine Arts
• Goal 9 – Ethical and Civic Responsibility

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Demonstrate oral communication skills	Write four argumentative essays derived from reading assignments (primary works of major philosophers) and related discussion forums (i.e. derived from topics introduced by the major philosophers). Write a term paper based on individually selected areas of ethical concern.
Demonstrate reading and listening skills	Read primary works (of major philosophers) and reflect on the meaning of those works in terms of their logical strength and meaning. Formulate responses to discussion questions on issues derived from the reading assignments for students based on an accurate understanding of the principles of informal logic and the relevant philosophical underpinning.
Apply abstract ideas to concrete situations	Originate solutions to resolve controversial ethical issues using premises that are warranted, sufficient and logically relevant.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Respond critically to works in the arts and humanities.  MnTC Goal 6
• Understand those works as expressions of individual and human values within an historical and social context.  MnTC Goal 6
• Articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities.  MnTC Goal 6
• Engage in the creative process or interpretation of various viewpoints.  MnTC Goal 6
• Demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities.  MnTC Goal 6
• Examine, articulate, and apply their own ethical views. MnTC Goal 9
• Understand and apply core concepts (e.g. politics, rights and obligations, justice, liberty) to specific issues.  MnTC Goal 9
• Analyze and reflect on the ethical dimensions of legal, social, and scientific issues.  MnTC Goal 9
• Identify ways to exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.  MnTC Goal 9
• Recognize the diversity of political motivations and interests of others.  MnTC Goal 9

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1. INTRO: What is Ethics?
2. Are Morals Relative?
• Classical Moral Relativism
• Problems for Classical Moral Relativism
• Moral Realism and Moral Pluralism
3. Egoism
• The Nature of Egoistic Thinking
• Contrasting Psychological Egoism and Moral Egoism
• Arguments in Opposition to Ethical Egoism
• Arguments in Support of Ethical Egoism
• Case Studies Using Ethical Egoism
4. Divine Command
• The Nature of Religion
• Contrasting Religions and Natural Law
• Arguments in Opposition to Divine Command Theory
• Arguments in Support of Divine Command Theory
• Case studies
5. Utilitarianism
• Historical Background
• The Principle of Utility
• Act-Utilitarianism and Rule-Utilitarianism
• Arguments in Support of Utilitarianism as a Normative Theory
• Critique of Utilitarianism as an Ethical Theory
• Case Studies Using Utilitarianism
6. Kantian Moral Theory
• Historical Background
• The Categorical Imperative: Universalization
• The Categorical Imperative: End-Means Principle
• Arguments in Support of Kantian Ethical Theory
• Critique of Kantian Ethical Theory
• Case Studies Using Kantian Theory
7. Rights Ethics
• Historical Background
• The Meaning and Basis of the Social Contract
• Arguments in Support of Social Contract
• Critique of Social Contract
• Case Studies using selected theories.
8. Virtue Ethics
• Historical Background
• The Meaning and Basis of Virtue Ethics: Philosophical and Religious
• Arguments in Support of Virtue Ethics
• Critique of Virtue Ethics
• Case Studies Using Virtue, Utilitarian and Duty Ethics