The Pennsylvania State University
Philosophy 103W: Introduction to Ethics
M, Wed, Fri: 10:10 AM-11 AM
Willard 173
Instructor: Peter Wolf, Ph.D.
Email: pmw117@psu.edu
Required Text:
*Jaroszynski, Piotr and Anderson, Mat. Ethics: The Drama of Moral Life
(Book may be purchased at the Big Blue Bookstore on College Avenue)
- Benjamin Franklin. The Autobiography
Course Overview
Aristotle’s definition of virtue: “To do the right thing to the right person, with the right motive, at the right time and in the right manner.” (Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics)
This course provides the student with an opportunity to grasp the most fundamental concepts in ethics such as: freedom, friendship, the good, agency, conscience, responsibility, intention, action, consequence, norm, law, virtue, value, ethical theory, prudence, justice. The first third of the class focuses on Socrates, Plato and Aristotle.
The ‘W’ after Phil 103 indicates that this course includes a writing across the curriculum component, hence writing skills and the correct use of written language will be a significant part of the evaluation. The student is expected to carefully read all course materials and to express their insights concerning ethics verbally and in writing with concision, clarity and correctness.
Roughly speaking the course consist of three parts: 1)ethical theory based upon readings and Dr. Wolf’s lectures, 2)writing skills as developed in lecture notes, study and reflection questions (Jaroszynski’s text) and in film reflections, and 3)the application of ethical concepts and theories to real life situations and case studies, and in the group presentation.
My Expectations
My role as instructor is to ensure a safe classroom environment where each student can develop to the best of their ability. Students are expected to participate in every class to the best of their ability---to ensure this, class attendance and participation by far count as the majority of the possible grade. Students are expected to respect the class experience, their fellow classmates and the teacher. All distractive behavior, and conversation that does not lead to the goal of learning ethics will detract from in-class/participation points. Every student is expected to take notes, to listen attentively when their fellow classmates speak. Students are expected to bring a positive attitude and an open-mind to every discussion and class. Examples of distractions include: cell phone use, blackberries, etc.; conversations not related to ethics or any type of private conversations that are not relevant to the class, lateness, leaving class early.
Assignments are due on the teacher’s desk at the beginning of each class session (hard copy---e-mailed assignments are not accepted). Late work is not accepted. There will be no make-up quizzes.
Eating food during class is not allowed. Drinks however, and coffee are allowed.
Lecture Notes to be taken in real notebook-
No computer note-taking.
Academic Integrity
Students who cheat, plagiarize, commit fraud, etc...Consequences in light cases may include failing grade on an exam, essay or course. In serious cases, academic dishonesty may result in permanent expulsion from the university. For details see The Student Guide to University Policies and Rules. http://www.la.psu.edu/CLA-LAUS/integrity/student_resources.shtml
Class Cancellation
In the event of snow or other inclement weather forcing a delay or closing on campus, class may be cancelled. Unless you hear from either the instructor or Penn State that class has been cancelled, there will be class and you are expected to attend.
Attendance Policy
To obtain all class points students are expected to attend all classes and to be present for the entire class session. The teacher grants two unexcused absences.
Disclaimer
Please be advised that we will encounter material in this course that may seem offensive to some students in terms of strong language or subject matter.
Cell Phones/ Texting Policy
Students will refrain from using cell phones, blackberries, palm pilots, etc. in class. Turn off ringers during class sessions. Their presence and use during class time is considered a breach of etiquette. Students caught texting, ringing phones, etc. will lose grade points.
Pop quizzes are not intended to be difficult; their primary purpose is to ensure that everyone is keeping up with the material. There will be no make-up quizzes.
Class discussion is very important in an issues-oriented class, so your participation is counted toward your final grade. If you are uncomfortable talking in class you may use alternative means to contribute to your class discussion grade, e.g., handing in written comments, contacting me outside of class, etc. Poor attendance will affect your discussion grade adversely.
Tentative Course Schedule and Reading Assignments
Segment One: Classical Ethical Theory: Socrates, Plato and Aristotle
Week One: Introductory Materials: Instructor’s Expectations of Students, Review of Course Policies and Grading Rubrics, Presentation of Student Deliverables. What is ethics? Course Tools:Lexicon, etymology, lecture notes, etc. Introduce text.
Reading assignment pp.xiii-xxvii In Jaroszynski
August 21: Meet class, review syllabus, clarify my expectations.
August 23: Lecture #1 Lecture One: ‘Philosophy’ equals Socrates;
August 25: Socrates’ Film (Apology) and Class Discussion: lecture Note #1 Due
Week Two: Film: The Pied Piper of Hamlin (Film reaction due Wednesday September 6) August. 28, 30 and September 1st
Week Three: Despereaux Resembles Socrates: Paradigmatic Individual
September 4: No class-Labor Day
September 6: Film Reaction due. Class discussion.
September 8: Lecture #2: Classical Ethical Theory: Plato’ s Allegory of the Cave
Week Four: Plato’s Allegory of the Cave
September 11: Plato (cont.)
September 13:Lecture note #2 due. Discussion.
September 15: Group Presentation Assignment: Great Ethical Teachers: Form Groups.
reading assignment: Jaroszynski, chapter one: Good and End: The Object of Human Acts
p.8 Study and Reflection Questions due Monday, September 8.
Week Five: Aristotle’s Ethical Theory: Telos
September 18: p. 8 Study questions due: One page typed double-space. Discussion. Possible pop quiz.
September 20: Reading Assignment: Chapter Two (J) pp.9-27
September 22: Study and Reflection Questions, p.27. Discussion.
Segment Two: Augustine and Aquinas’ Ethical Synthesis
Week Six: Medieval Perspectives
September 25: Lecture #3: Medieval Philosophy (lecture note due sept.29)
September 27: Lecture #3 (cont.)
September 29: Lecture note #3 due. Discussion.
Week Seven: Aquinas and The Soul
Reading Assignment: Chapter 3: The Moral Being: The Decision, pp.29-40 Study and Reflection Questions, p. 40 (due oct. 6)
October 2: Lecture #4: Faith Seeking Understanding
October 4: Lecture #4 (cont.)
October 6: Study Questions due. Lecture Note #4 due--Discussion.
Week Eight: Jaroszynski’s Aretology
October 9: “Jaroszynski’s ‘Aretology’ (Reading assignment: Chapter Four: The Mode of Human Conduct----Aretology pp.43-52---study Questions (p.52 due on october 11)
October 11: Study and Reflection Questions Due: Discussion.
October 13: Group Presentation #1 Individual Presentation papers due.
Segment Three: Benjamin Franklin: American Ethical Exemplar
Text-required reading-Franklin’s Autobiography
Week Nine: Benjamin Franklin: The Paradigmatic American Individual and the American Dream read Autobiography intro.through p.30, lecture note due: october 20.
October 16: Lecture #5: The American Dream
October 18: discussion of readings; Group Presentation #2
October 20: Lecture Note #5 due; Presentation #3
Week Ten: Ben Franklin and The Arduous Moral Project
Reading in Autobiography pp.77-93
October 23: Lecture #6
October 25: Franklin Film: Citizen of the World
October 27: Franklin Test
Week Eleven: The Virtue of Prudence (Jaroszynski, pp. 53-64: Study and Reflection questions due: November 1).
October 30: The Virtue of Prudence
November 1: Discussion. Study and Reflection Questions #5 due
November 3: Group Presentation #4
Week Twelve: Group Presentations: The Virtue of Temperance-Jaroszynski, pp. 65-74
November 6: Group Presentation #5
November 8: “ “ #6
November 10: “ “ #7
Segment Four: Ethics for the 21st Century
Week Thirteen: The Noosphere---The Virtue of Fortitude, pp. 75-83
November 13: Film: Teilhard de Chardin “Wings of Spirit” Possible pop quiz.
November 15: Lecture: Pierre Teilhard de Chardin’s View of Man
November 17: Lecture Note #7 due.
Week Fourteen: Thanksgiving Holiday Nov. 20-Nov. 24 No classes.
Week Fifteen: Virtue of Justice pp. 84-102
November 27: pop quiz possible
November 29:
December 1:
Week 16: Final Lecture: The Interconnection of Virtue, pp. 102--119.
December 4: Final Lecture.
December 6: Final discussion.
December 8: Class Celebration
Grading Rubric
*1 Franklin Test (october 27) =15 pts
*7 lecture notes (see schedule above)=35 pts.
*5 Study and Reflection Questions (1 page typed-double space)=15 points
*1 film reactions (Pied Piper Due: september 6th)=10 pts.
*Participation (reading assignments)= 15pts
*Group Presentation: Individual paper (due: oct. 13): 15 Points
*Group Presentation (team grade): 10 points
*Attendance= 20 pts
*pop quizzes=5 points
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Total 140 points
A Grade=.94 x 140=131.6/140 total possible points
Letter Grades
- A
90-93 A-
87-89 B+
- B
- B-
- C+
- C
- D
- F
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