PALM BEACH COMMUNITY
COLLEGE
Philosophy 1600 ‑ ETHICS
Monday/Wednesday - Sec.
001- Ref. No. 031639 [9:30-10:45 A.M.]
Dr. Richard
T. Nolan
3.00 Sem. hrs. credit
Room SS216
A rigorous
and systematic inquiry into man’s moral behavior discovering rules that ought to
govern human action and goals worth seeking in human life using ethics as a
science of conduct. Requires a grade of “C” or better for AA
transfer credit. No prerequisites.
COURSE
OBJECTIVES:
1. to
begin to think systematically and analytically about selected moral issues
2. to
understand contrasting solutions to moral problems
3. to equip each student with
sufficient clarity that (s)he may eventually form thoughtful interpretations
for personal and/or professional use
RESOURCES:
1. Nolan and Kirkpatrick, Living Issues In
Ethics (2000 edition)
[copy on
reserve in the library for use within the library]
2. handouts in this
syllabus packet and possibly additional materials distributed in class
3. information and interpretations from the
instructor and students
4.
www.philosophy-religion.org [computers and computer assistance are
provided in College facilities]
5. video tapes shown during classes (not
available at other times)
METHODS OF
CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION:
Among the teaching
methods will be lectures, video presentations, and discussions.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Dr. Nolan
may be telephoned (24 hrs. a day seven days a week) at (West Palm Beach)
561-837-3543, a VoiceMail service monitored by a
secretarial service. He will respond to
your call when he can, usually within two or three days. Do not expect a return call on the same day
that the message is recorded. Each
caller should record a brief message stating clearly his/her name and phone
number, the hours the caller may be reached, and the reason for the call. Dr. Nolan may be emailed anytime at
canonn@adelphia.net. VoiceMail and email are the only two ways available for
reasonably fast communication; he has no office or phone at the College.
It is
highly recommended that each student obtain the telephone number(s) of one or
two classmates, in case of a planned or unexpected absence. Such a contact will answer the absentee's
question "Did I miss anything important?"
His
secretary will not notify him about messages asking him to repeat
syllabus information or to report what took place in a class.
The
instructor is not available between semesters and during the summer (from early
May until late August).
INDIVIDUAL
CONFERENCES:
Dr. Nolan
is available (by appointment) for individual conferences after his
classes and at other mutually convenient times.
Such conferences are for the purpose of clarifying an issue in the
reading or a class, not for on-going tutoring.
GORDON
RULE:
This is
NOT a Gordon Rule course and will not transfer as such.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Assignments
and class topics appear below. It is
possible that changes will be announced as the course progresses and/or that
additional handouts will be distributed; it is each student's responsibility to
be aware of modifications by checking with colleagues, NOT the instructor.
TESTS/FINAL
EXAM, EXAM GUIDES, JOURNAL, AND GRADES:
TESTS/FINAL
EXAM: Two tests and a
comprehensive final examination will be in a challenging, College Board
quality, multiple-choice style designed to examine each student's understanding
of information from classes and assigned readings. Classes, readings, any written work, and the
tests/final exam require college level comprehension of standard, American
English; dictionaries may not be used during the tests or the final exam. Students must take their own #2 pencils to
the tests and exam; the instructor will have none with him. Unless documented medical and employee
reasons require it, tests and the final exam will not be given earlier or later
than scheduled. With a written excuse
from a physician or employers, tests may be made up by appointment with Dr.
Nolan in class sessions during the last week of the semester. Make-up of the final exam (with the same
documentation) will be scheduled at the convenience of the instructor and
student. Dr. Nolan supervises all
make-up tests and exams in his courses; he is not available between terms. Unexcused absence from tests are
automatically graded an “ F.”
Caution: An inquiring
mind and an ability to discuss issues philosophically do not automatically lead
to solid achievement in this course. One
must study the assigned material and perform satisfactorily on the tests and
final exam. See sample test items on
page 6.
EXAM
GUIDES: Guides are found on pages 52, 53, and 54 of this packet. Students missing other guides announced in
class must consult with other students, not the instructor.
WRITING
ASSIGNMENT: If a student wishes to
submit a written project for extra credit, the journal described in the next
paragraph is the only opportunity.
Process: Beginning
with the second class session - after each class a dated journal entry must
be typewritten or computer printed. The
entry is to consist of a summary (in complete sentences and coherent
paragraphs) of the class's major topics plus personal reflections on the
topics; the reflections are intended to provide an opportunity for creativity
and critical thinking. Also, entries may
include (in complete sentences and coherent paragraphs) the tests/exam guides
and their respective interpretations; this portion will be especially useful
for study purposes. The approximate
total number of words is to be posted beside the student's name at the top of
the first page whenever the journal is submitted to the instructor, at times
noted below. Portions of classes not
suitable for journal entries (e.g., review questions and answers, class
procedures, etc.) will be self-evident.
Please see the sample page of an excellent journal entry on page 7. A late journal will result in the reduction
of a test or final exam grades by three points.
At least 2000 words (on the topics covered by the first test) must be
submitted at the time of the first test, and not less than 2000 additional words
(on the topics covered after the first test to the second test) must be
submitted at the time of the second test.
The remaining 2000 words (on the topics following the second test) must
be completed by the final exam, but may be completed earlier. A 15 minute oral examination on aspects of
the entire journal, scheduled during the final week of classes, must be
completed satisfactorily. Other
details regarding the journal will be developed, as needed.
COURSE
GRADES: The “grade chart” on page 6A indicates the method of
determining the course grade.
Grades are
never available by telephone; such requests are always ignored! [Please
see page 6B.]
Factors
outside the course have no bearing on grades or other course patterns. For example, that an individual is an
"A" student in other courses is irrelevant; that an individual has
demanding personal, campus or professional obligations is beside the point;
that an individual needs a particular grade for tuition reimbursement or
to avoid a low cumulative average is immaterial and inappropriate to mention;
that an individual needs to leave classes early is extraneous. Registration and class attendance alone do
not automatically entitle a student to any particular course grade;
registration and attendance merely provide the opportunity to earn the grade
judged appropriate by the instructor.
ACADEMIC
FREEDOM:
An
essential ingredient in college-level education is academic freedom for faculty
members and students; this includes the obligation of the instructor and
students to raise academically critical and analytical questions about various
philosophic and religious traditions.
Additionally,
there is no such thing as a "stupid" question or comment, when
offered in honest inquiry and in a professional manner.
INSTRUCTOR'S
RESPONSIBILITY:
The
instructor accepts the responsibility for all decisions related to the
syllabus, coordination of the course and of supervising class sessions. Although suggestions are always welcome,
course content, requirements, procedures, and grades are not routinely
negotiable. Flexibility on content will
be evident, if a topic requires additional or less time. The instructor may modify the content of this
syllabus at any time.
Visiting
lecturers are invited only at the instructor’s discretion; normally they must
possess traditional academic credentials.
The
instructor will write letters of reference only for students who have completed
two of his courses with a grade of A or B.
STUDENT
RESPONSIBILITY:
It is each
student’s responsibility to abide by all of the College’s regulations,
procedures, etc. as provided in the current catalog and Student Handbook. This syllabus does not contain all such
information.
The
instructor cannot possibly provide all the varied topics and methods of
teaching/learning preferred by all students in the course. That each student's readiness for learning
can be accommodated is wishful thinking; the course cannot be tailored
specifically to each student's personal or academic needs (except for students
with a learning disability certified in writing by the College’s ADA office).
The course is presented to a registered class, not as a tutorial or independent
study for individuals. With guidance
from the instructor as to what is important for exam purposes, it is every
student's responsibility to extract the essential content from classes, the
readings, and videos. Please be aware that the assigned materials
may at times require a second (or third) reading to comprehend their main
points. In short, the course may require
some work, perhaps a little drudgery.
In the
classroom civility is the norm; rudeness (including interruptions) and
belligerence will not be tolerated; combative or authoritarian personalities
will not be permitted to act out in this setting. If a student persists in
behaving unacceptably, according to the instructor’s judgment, a report will be
made to the College administration and/or Security, or in extreme circumstances
the Lake Worth police will be called.
Please consult
the Student Handbook (available from the Student Services office) for
regulations and policies pertaining to student conduct.
Students
who decide that they cannot comply with the procedures noted in this syllabus should
withdraw at their earliest convenience.
ATTENDANCE:
If absent,
students must obtain class materials (unexpected handouts, notes, etc.) from
obliging classmates. The instructor will
not develop alternative tracks within the course, except for students certified
by the College as learning disabled. Classes
may be audio recorded by students for their own or for absentees' use.
Students
arriving late for the term and/or for any classes are responsible for whatever
has taken place prior to their arrival; fellow students, not the instructor,
should be consulted about the missed portion of classes.
Students
with prolonged illnesses and absences (longer than two consecutive weeks) are
encouraged to withdraw from the course, because tutoring is not available.
Weather
Issues: If the region is stormy or if there are severe storm warnings,
please follow the College’s procedures for determining whether classes will be
held, or telephone the instructor’s VoiceMail two
hours before class. If he cannot safely drive
to PBCC to conduct class, the outgoing message will make that specific
announcement.
ACADEMIC
INFORMATION:
Please
consult the current College catalog and other official publications for further
information, including the calendar, grading system, academic dishonesty
policy, attendance, etc. The instructor
intends to abide by these policies. If a
College policy conflicts with anything in this syllabus, it should be brought
to the instructor’s attention, and the College’s policy will prevail.
The Social
Science Department Chair is Dr. Richard E. Yinger (439-8259) [SS207]. His email
is: yingerr@pbcc.cc.fl.us,.and his office is in SS207.
CELLULAR
PHONES/PAGERS:
Please
leave the classroom to respond to the signals of cellular phones or pagers.
A PROFESSIONAL
INTRODUCTION:
The
instructor is a graduate of Trinity College [CT] and earned a Master of
Divinity degree at Hartford Seminary. An
M.A. from Yale University and Ph.D. from New York University followed. Post-doctoral studies were completed at Yale,
Harvard, the University of Connecticut and elsewhere.
Editor of The
Diaconate Now (1968), the instructor is a
co-author of the 7th (1979), Indonesian (1984), 8th (1986) and 9th (1995)
editions of Living Issues In Philosophy and of Living Issues in Ethics
(1982; 2000; Chinese edition 1988).
In July of 1992 Dr. Nolan early-retired from
23 years of full-time service in the community college system of the State of
Connecticut and 8 years of prior teaching in independent elementary-junior
high, secondary, and collegiate institutions.
He has served as an adjunct/visiting professor on about 18 college and
university faculties in Connecticut, New York, and Florida.
The
instructor's mailing address is PBCC, 4200 Congress Avenue, SS109, Lake Worth,
FL 33461-4796.
His full
pictorial c.v. may be accessed at www.philosophy-religion.org/, a
website he edits.
CLASS
TOPICS AND ASSIGNMENTS:
Abbreviations
Used:
C ‑
class topic(s)
A ‑
assigned reading
T ‑
the textbook (Living Issues In Ethics)
V - video
(h) -
handout in this packet
www - available on website www.philosophy-religion.org
NOTE: Materials not listed below as assignments
might be added as the term progresses.
M 8/27
& W 8/29
C. Orientation to the Course
Philosophy
on the Internet
The Scope
of Philosophy
A. T - Ch. 1 "Morality In Our
Lives"
sample
journal entry (h) p. 7
Bok, “Universities Have An Obligation
to Help Students Learn How to Lead Ethical, Fulfilling Lives” (h) p. 8 www
Dornin, “Internet Watchdog Could Stop
Collegiate Copycats” (h) p. 9
Haugaard, “Students Who Won’t Decry Evil B A Case of
Too Much Tolerance?” (h) p. 10
“An
Overview of Philosophy” (h) pp. 14ff.
www
W 9/5, M
9/10, & W 9/12
C. The Scope of Philosophy (continued)
A. T - Ch. 2 "Moral Wisdom and
Freedom"
T - Ch. 3 “Western
Ethics to the Modern Age”
T - Ch. 4
‘The Legacy of Variety’(pp. 75-76)
“The
Affirmation of Humanism: A Statement of Principles and Values" (h) p.
18 www Tavris,
“No-fault Psychology" (h) p. 19
Verhey, “Ethics" from The
Oxford Companion to the Bible (h) p. 20
M 9/17
& W 9/19
C. Who Am I?
A. T - Ch. 5 "Who Am I?"
Angier,
“Nothing Becomes a Man More Than a Woman’s Face” (h) p. 26
M 9/24
& W 9/26
C. Review for Test 1 (Monday)
Test 1
(Wednesday)
A. T - Review
M 10/1
A.
Test 1 Grades Distributed;
only time for test review with test items and answers; no notes may be
made. Journal entries due from students
choosing this project.
A. ---------------
W 10/3 C. Love
and Friendship
A. T - Ch. 6 - "Love and
Friendship"
Coyle, “Easy Targets” (h) p. 30 www
Ramirez, “Professor’ Ashley Montagu, 94, Popularizer of
Science" (h) p. 32
M
10/8 & W 10/10
C. Marriage
and the Family
Mental and Physical Health
A. T
- Ch. 7 "Marriage and the Family"
Fletcher, “For Better or Worse, Marriage Hits
a New Low” (h) p. 34
Wright, “Family” from The Oxford Companion
to the Bible (h) p. 37
T - Ch. 8 “Mental and Physical Health”
M
10/15& W 10/17
C. Medical
Ethics
Sexual Ethics (personal histories not suitable
for classroom discussion)
A. T
- Ch. 9 "Medical Ethics"
T - Ch. 10 “Sexual Ethics"
Outline of lecture on human sexuality (h) p.
38 www
McAfee, “Sex” from The Oxford Companion to
the Bible (h) p. 39
M
10/22 & W10/24
C. Monday
- Sexual Ethics (Conclusion)
Wednesday- Review for test 2
A. Gomes,
“Homophobic? Re-Read Your Bible” (h) p. 43
www
“Homosexuality and the Bible” by biblical
scholar Dr. Walter Wink: see www “All Handouts.”
“Answers to Your Questions
About Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality” [American Psychological
Association] (h) p. 44 www
M
10/29 & W 10/31
C. Monday
- Test 2
Wednesday - Test 2 Grades distributed; only
opportunity to review test 2
A. T
- Review
M
11/5 & W 11/7
C. An
Introduction to Social Ethics; The Political Order
The Economic Order: Global Capitalism and
the Moral Imperative –
V (29 min.)
A. T
- Ch. 11 "The Political Order"
T - Ch. 12 “The Economic Order”
“Some Philosophical/Moral Issues Related to
the Political and Economic Areas of Social Life” (h) p. 47
“Some Basic Issues in Business Ethics” (h) p.
48
M
11/12. W 11/14 & M 11/19
C. Freedom of Thought and Expression: Cyberspace
- Freedom or Regulation - V (29 min.)
and Media Ethics -V (28 min.)
Dissent
A. T
- Ch. 13 “Freedom of Thought and Expression”
T - Ch. 14 “Dissent”
W
11/21
C. Social
Justice: Black American Conservatism - V (segment, 30 min.)
A. T
- Ch. 15 “Social Justice”
“From RESENTMENT AGAINST ACHIEVEMENT.......”
(h) p. 49 www
“Hiring/Promotions Goals and Timetables”’ (h)
p. 51
M
11/26
C. Ecology: God’s Earth: A Call For
Environmental Stewardship - V (segment, 30 min.)
A. T - Ch. 16 “Ecology and the Moral Use
of Energy”
W
11/28
C. War and the Quest for Peace: Justifying
War - V (segment, 30 min.) [example of the dialectic]
A.
T - Ch. 17
“War and the Quest for Peace”
M
12/3
C. Concluding
Reflections
A. T
- Epilogue
W
12/5
A.
Review for
Final Exam
A. Review
M 12/10 C. Make-Up tests; completed journals due
and oral exams held on this project
A. Review
The
FINAL EXAM is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 12th from 9:30 to 11:30 A.M. There
is no alternative time (except for students certified by the College with a
disability).
SAMPLE
TEST ITEMS (not necessarily from this course)
Understanding
the meaning of a philosophic term:
1. Logic is:
a. the
method by which absolute truth about an issue is determined.
b. an
area within axiology.
c. a branch of philosophy that deals with the nature and
problems of clear and accurate thinking and
argument.
d. all
of the above
Understanding
the implications of a previously unseen paragraph for its philosophic content:
2. "People, whether primitive or
highly civilized, have conceptions of themselves and the universe in which they
live and work or idle. Their world-views may be dimly formed, barely
recognized, even somewhat surreptitiously held. But a world-view is in the mind
of every man and woman. Individuals may
deny that they have a world‑view. They may say that they have no interest
in the world. They may insist that they
are independent, free‑swinging, hedonist or ascetic, choosing their own
ways of life of their own will; but the denial is itself a world-view‑‑something
on the basis of which independence is asserted, whether they are aware of it or
not." Consistent with this statement is/are:
a. Human
beings cannot entirely escape philosophy.
b. The
average citizen has a philosophy.
c. To
condemn philosophy is to philosophize.
d. all
of the above
e. none
of the above
Understanding
a school of thought via a paragraph or sentence:
3. "_______,
then, as presented in what precedes is a perfectly tenable conception of the
relation between some mental events and some brain events, lowing as it does
also that some brain events have bodily causes, and that some mental events
directly cause some other mental events.
It conceives minds as consisting, like material substances, of sets of
systematically interrelated dispositions, i.e., of capacities, abilities,
powers, and susceptibilities, each of which can be analyzed as a causal
connection, more or less enduring, between any event of some particular
kind..."
a. Interactionism
b. Parallelism
c. Behaviorism
d. Freudian
psychology
e. none
of the above