I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Contemporary Moral Problems

2. Course Prefix & Number:
PHIL 2430

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 3

Lecture Hours: 3

Lab Hours: 0

4. Course Description:

The purpose of this philosophy course is to examine a variety of contemporary moral issues from a philosophical standpoint and to explore some of the many approaches and methods that can be used to clarify our thinking about these and other issues, as well as to assist us in making reasoned moral judgments.

5. Placement Tests Required:

Accuplacer (specify test):

Reading College Level CLC or Reading College Level

Score:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:

SCSU, Phil 212 Moral Problems and Theories, 3 credits
MN State University Moorhead, Phil 115 Contemporary Moral Issues, 3 credits
Bemidji State University, Phil 2280 Current Issues, 3 credits

III. Course Purpose

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:
Apply abstract ideas to concrete situations	Accurately apply basic theoretical concepts detailed in various moral theories to specific moral issues.
Apply ethical principles in decision-making	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:

• Demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of ethical issues engendered by contemporary media and art.  MnTC Goal 6
•  Understand these works as expressions of individual investigations into the ultimate basis of human moral values.  MnTC Goal 6
• Articulate an informed, rationally supported personal reaction to these philosopher’s works and to specific moral issues.  MnTC Goal 6
• Respond critically to works in the arts and humanities.  MnTC Goal 6
• Engage in the creative process or interpretation of various viewpoints.  MnTC Goal 6
• Understand and apply core theoretical concepts to specific issues.  MnTC Goal 9
• Analyze and reflect on the ethical dimensions of legal, social, or scientific issues.  MnTC Goal 9
• Appreciate the contributions ethical theories make to actual living conditions, including the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.  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
• Examine, articulate, and apply their own ethical views.  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
9. Analysis of Contemporary Moral issues
• Cloning and Reproductive Technologies
• Abortion
• Euthanasia
• Punishment and the Death Penalty
• War, Torture, Terrorism, and Counterterrorism
• Race and Ethnicity
• Gender
• Sexual Orientation
• Sex, Love and Marriage
• Pornography
• Economic Justice and health care
• World Hunger and Poverty
• Living Together With Animals
• Environmental Ethics
• Cyberethics