MORAL PROBLEMS PHILOSOPHY 110-01

BAILEY 106 MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY

1:50-2:55PM FALL 2014

Dr. Krisanna Scheiter Email: scheitek@union.edu Office: Lamont 308 Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday 3:00-4:00pm

Course Description In this course we will discuss some of the most controversial moral problems of our time, including questions about reproductive rights, the right to die, the right to marry, gender, sex and coercion, animal rights, poverty, and world hunger. We will read philosophical articles, Supreme Court rulings, listen to podcasts, and discuss real-world cases that deal with each of these issues. Please be aware that some of the content in the readings and podcasts depict some violence. The aim of the course is to engage in careful and considerate philosophical discussion of these issues. You are expected to treat each other with respect and sensitivity.

Required Texts

White, J. (2005). Contemporary moral problems. Tenth Edition. Cengage Learning. Assignments 5% Participation 10% Nexus Posts 10% Quizzes

20% First Paper 25% Second Paper 30% Final Paper

Resources

Writing Center: The Writing Center (second floor of Schaffer Library) provides free one-on-one consultation, both by appointment and as available on a walk-in basis. I encourage you to visit the writing center for any and all writing assignments. http://www.union.edu/Resources/Academic/writing/index.php. Accommodations: It is the policy of Union College to make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you have a specific disability that qualifies you for academic accommodations, please bring your accommodation ID card to your instructor’s office hours as soon as possible. Your instructor will then discuss with you any necessary special arrangements. No accommodations will be provided to students who do not have an accommodation ID card from the Office of Student Support Services (x8785).

Assignments

Participation: This is a discussion-based course. Active student participation will be a central feature of the learning experience. Class discussion, office hours (in which we discuss class material), and participation in the online forums all count towards your participation grade. In order to ensure successful participation, it is important that you attend to two main tasks: • Reading Assignments: You should complete the assigned reading prior to the class for

which they are assigned in order to contribute meaningfully to class discussion. If you have not read philosophy before, you may find the readings difficult at first. Don’t give up! As you read try to identify core claims and arguments. Take notes, jotting down questions or critiques.

• Class Discussion: You should contribute to class discussions regularly and in a respectful manner, either by asking questions relating to the topic or contributing your own meaningful insights. Discussion will be based on the reading assignments. One way to prepare for class discussions is by trying to answer the study questions at the end of the reading assignments.

Papers: There are three papers for the course. The first paper is 2-3 pages, the second paper is 3-4 pages, and the final paper is 4-5 pages. The papers will be assigned in advance and you will have a choice of topics on which to write. I will provide a guideline to writing philosophy papers. Penalty for late papers is a 3% deduction for every class that goes by after the paper is due unless an extension has been granted in advance. Nexus (Discussion Board): In order to get the maximum amount of points you must post by 9am before class. I will not count posts that are entered after 9am. There is no way to make up a missed post. If you do not post on the discussion board by 9am you will not receive any points for that post. You should post at least one paragraph (approx. 5 sentences) in response to the readings for that day. You may respond to your fellow students’ posts on Nexus, but it must be clear from your post that you read the material. Each post is worth 10 points. I will take off points if the post does not demonstrate mastery of the readings. I will also take off points for substantial spelling and grammar mistakes so please read over your posts carefully. The discussion board is good practice for your papers. Pop Quizzes There will be a handful of pop quizzes throughout the semester. They will be given at the beginning of class so it is important to show up to class on time. There is no way to make up a missed quiz. Attendance I will take attendance every day before class. Attendance is mandatory. Missed classes will be reflected in your participation grade and quizzes.

Expectations and Classroom Policies Email • Please feel free to email me any time, but allow me 24 hours to respond during the week and

48 hours during the weekend.

• If you have questions about the class or the assignments please check the syllabus first before emailing.

• If you cannot find it on the syllabus, then send me an email.

• If you have any questions about the content of the class or would simply like to discuss some philosophical thoughts of your own do not hesitate to come to my office hours or set up an appointment.

General Expectations • Come to class prepared and on time.

• Turn off your phone, no texting, no laptops unless absolutely necessary, no newspapers, no

talking to one another unless is it part of class discussion, no sleeping.

• You are expected to pay attention and engage respectfully with your classmates.

• If you must use your laptop for note taking, please be aware that you may not use the Internet for any purpose during class and you may wish to disable it if you will be otherwise tempted. Failure to abide by this requirement will result in loss of the privilege to use your laptop in class.

Plagiarism Students are expected to adhere to the Union College Academic Honor Code, which you can access at: www.union.edu/academic_depts/ethics/union/Honor%20Code.php

TOPICS AND READINGS

PART I: RIGHTS AND MORALITY

September 10: Introductions

September 12: Introduction to Moral Theory (pp.1-11); Egoism and Moral Skepticism (pp.11-19)

September 15: Trying Out One’s New Sword (pp. 34-37); Utilitarianism (pp.38-46)

Radio Lab Podcast: Morality

September 17: The Categorical Imperative (pp.46-51); Moral Luck (Nexus); Radio Lab Podcast: Blame (Nexus)

September 19: Happiness and Virtue (pp.52-61); A Theory of Justice (pp. 61-66)

PART II: REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

September 22: Introduction: Roe Vs Wade (pp. 80-96)

September 24: An Almost Absolute Value in History (pp.97-102); A Defense of Abortion (pp.102-111)

September 26: On the Moral and Legal Status of Abortion (pp.111-122); An Argument

that Abortion is Wrong (pp. 122-132)

September 29: The Potentiality Problem, Elizabeth Harman (Nexus)

October 1: Case Studies Workshop (Nexus)

PART III: EUTHANASIA

October 3: Introduction (pp. 148-154); Active and Passive Euthanasia (pp. 154-158); The Intentional Termination of Life (pp. 158-164)

October 6: Voluntary Active Euthanasia (pp.164-178)

October 8: Is there a Duty to Die? (pp. 178-196)

October 10: Case Studies Workshop (Nexus)

PART IV: SEX AND GENDER

October 13: What is Feminist Ethics? (pp. 67-73); Same-Sex Marriage (pp.233-245)

October 15: Same-Sex Marriage and the Argument from Public Disagreement (pp.

246-252); Who Needs Marriage? (pp.253-261)

October 17: What is Marriage For? (pp. 261-270) First Paper Due

October 20: Is it a boy or a girl? (Nexus); Lives in a chiaroscuro (Nexus); Gender

Diversity (Nexus)

October 22: “Seduction, Rape, Coercion” (Nexus)

October 24: “Sex Under Pressure” (Nexus)

October 27: Case Studies Workshop (Nexus)

PART V: ANIMAL LIBERATION AND VEGETARIANISM

October 29: Introduction (pp. 271-275); Our Duties to Animals (pp. 275-276); All Animals are Equal (pp. 277-285)

October 31: Speciesism and the Idea of Equality (pp. 285-292)

Second Paper Due

November 3: Puppies, Pigs, and People (pp. 292-310)

November 5: Case Studies Workshop (Nexus)

November 7: NO CLASS

PART VI: WORLD POVERTY AND HUNGER

November 10: Introduction (pp. 311-315); World Poverty and Human Rights (pp. 315-321)

November 12: Antipoverty Warriors (pp. 321-331); Famine, Affluence, and Morality (pp.

331-339)

November 14: Living on a Lifeboat (pp. 339-356)

November 17: Case Studies Workshop (Nexus)

November 21: Final Paper Due by Midnight via Nexus