Below I post two syllabi from my Summer offerings at Penn State: Phil 003 Intro. to Ethics and Phil 105 Intro. to Philosophy of Law---Some descriptive comments are appropriate---the ethics class segues into the law course. Too bad both sets of students can't attend both lectures! The Phil 003 is a LEAP section---I have been honored to teach LEAPers for what I believe is my third Summer running---this is one of the best things going at Penn State, so congratulations to Prof. Yaw for making this great pedagogical endeavor a reality at Penn State. The Phil. 105 section is my first (I have hitherto taught Phil 106, Phil 103, Phil 001, Phil 005 and Phil 003---all introductory level courses---which is my forte!)
The Pennsylvania State University
PHIL 003 (3) Persons, Moral Values and the Good Life
MTWTHF 9:35-10:50 AM
LEAP Program: Summer II
14 Life Sciences Building
Instructor: Peter Wolf, Ph.D.
Email: pmw117@psu.edu
Required Texts
Aristotle. Nichomachean Ethics
Buber, Martin. I and Thou
Recommended Text:
Additional readings to be supplied by instructor.
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 is an introductory philosophy course geared to the beginner. 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 notes, quizzes and in film reflections, and 3)the application of philosophical concepts and theories to real life, applied ethical situations.
This course provides a critical introduction to, and overview of, fundamental philosophical problems. It includes an examination of historical and contemporary thought through in-class presentation, readings, discussions, and student writings. In this way, students will gain an understanding of diverse and often competing perspectives on basic human problems. These perspectives have shaped cultures and continue to influence thought and practice around the world today. Students will examine diverse viewpoints that will allow them to understand a wide range of views and challenge them to defend their own positions. This course involves active use of writing, speaking, and group project. It provides opportunities for gathering information, analyzing problems, and synthesizing diverse perspectives. Finally, PHIL 003 allows students to link theory to their own lives and daily practice.
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, iphones, blackberries, etc.; conversations not related to ethics or any type of private conversations that are not relevant to the class, lateness, leaving class early.
Tentative Course Schedule and Assignments
(total 28 mandatory class sessions---2 free absences)
WEEK ONE: 7/02: First class. Meet class, set forth course goals, review syllabus. Form study groups. Introductory lecture on ethics: “Paradigmatic Socrates and the Birth of Ethics.” “Philosophy is the art of wonder” and Socratic Method of interrogation. Aristotle.
7/03: Ethics: the term
7/04:No class
WEEK TWO: Aristotle on virtue. Visit to Pattee Paterno Library Our Goal this week is to read crucial passages of Aristotle’s work and to learn what virtue means. We will also make a visit to the library.
7/07:Lecture Note #1: 2 pp double space typed, due 7/02 and every Monday.
Discuss team presentations and individual papers. Form groups. Lecture Note #1 due.
7/08 Visit to library.
7/09
7/10
7/11
WEEK THREE: Happiness and The Good Life. This week we begin with a quiz on what you have learned in Aristotle about virtue and ethical behavior. We expand the theme of ethics to include happiness which is the goal of a virtuous life.
7/14 Aristotle Quiz
7/15:
7/16:
7/17: Film #1 Lecture Note #2 due
7/18:
WEEK FOUR: Personalism: I and Thou: Martin Buber This week we introduce the thought of Martin Buber, important Jewish philosopher whose work emphasizes an ethical relation based upon respect of person (I-Thou relation) instead of a utility based relation (I-It relation).
7/21 Buber Lexicon; Reading Assignments.
7/22: Film Reaction #1 Due
7/23: Draft of Panel Paper due (5 points) 1 page typed.
7/24:
7/25: Lecture Note #3 due.
WEEK FIVE : Application of Ethical Learning to Challenges in Student Life and Social Praxis: Panel Discussions- Students will be presenting their research papers in a panel discussion focusing on applied ethical challenges.
7/28: Devastation of Wilderness and Environment
7/29 : Civic Duty: Autonomy, Democracy
7/30: Family Values
7/31:Health Issues
8/01: Science and Technology
WEEK SIX: Conclusion: Integrity= LIFE Value The summum of all values is LIFE istelf! Dostoevsky’s ‘living life’ is the highest value in every ethical domain. The goal is an integral philosophy of life values as a basis for real living ethics.
8/04:
8/05
8/06
8/07: Lecture Note #4 due Film #2
8/08
WEEK SEVEN : FINAL CLASS SESSION/CELEBRATION
8/11: Overview of Class
8/12: Final Lecture Note due
8/13 Celebration Day
Grading Rubric
- 4 Weekly lecture Notes @5 points 20 points
- 2 Film Reactions: 10 points per=20 points
- Attendance and participation: 27 class sessions= 35 points
- Panel Research Paper: 15 points
- 1 Aristotle Quiz @ 10 points
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 100 pts. [the ‘94’ grade (A) equals 94 points or better]
Letter Grades
- A
90-93 A-
87-89 B+
- B
- B-
- C+
- C
- D
- F
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. Make-up tests will lose credit.
Panel Discussion - Protocol
Each student to select an applied area of ethical challenge (wilderness, civic, family...etc...) and to be assigned to one of 5 groups in week one. DRaft of research paper due on 7/23 (5 points).
Deliverable: Typed paper due day of panel presentation (week 5). Each student to present their research in panel discussion on days of week 5.
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.
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 or surrender their phone for the class session on teacher’s desk.
Tests 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 tests.
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.
The Pennsylvania State University
PHIL 105 Introduction to Philosophy of Law
MTWTHF 12:45-2:00PM
370 Willard
Instructor: Peter Wolf, Ph.D.
Email: pmw117@psu.edu
Required Texts
Aquinas, Thomas. On Politics and Ethics
Wacks, Raymond. The Philosophy of Law: A very Short Introduction
Additional readings to be supplied by instructor.
Course Overview
Roughly speaking the course consist of three parts: 1)History of law and theory based upon readings and Dr. Wolf’s lectures, 2)writing skills as developed in notes, quizzes and in film reflections, and 3)the application of philosophical concepts and theories to real life, applied ethical situations and legal problems.
This course provides a critical introduction to, and overview of, fundamental philosophical problems which relate to law. It includes an examination of historical and contemporary legal thought through in-class presentation, readings, discussions, and student writings. In this way, students will gain an understanding of diverse and often competing perspectives on basic legal problems. These perspectives have shaped cultures and continue to influence thought and practice around the world today. Students will examine diverse viewpoints that will allow them to understand a wide range of views and challenge them to defend their own positions. This course involves active use of writing, speaking, and group project. It provides opportunities for gathering information, analyzing problems, and synthesizing diverse perspectives. Finally, PHIL 105 allows students to link theory to their own lives and daily practice.
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, iphones, blackberries, etc.; conversations not related to ethics or any type of private conversations that are not relevant to the class, lateness, leaving class early.
Tentative Course Schedule and Assignments
(total 28 mandatory class sessions---2 free absences)
WEEK ONE: Opening Moves
7/02: First class. Meet class, set forth course goals, review syllabus. Form study groups.
7/03: Law: the term; Introductory lecture on The Origins of Law
7/04:No class
WEEK TWO: Origins of Law and Legal Concepts/Visit to Pattee Paterno Library Our Goal this week is to make a visit to the library. Lectures and Reading will focus on new terms (lexicon), etymology of terms, history of law and mythology.
7/07:Lecture Note #1: 2 pp double space typed
Discuss discussion panels, form groups and individual papers. Form groups.
7/08 Visit to library.
7/09
7/10
7/11
WEEK THREE: Natural Law: Readings in Wacks’ book.
7/14
7/15:
7/16:
7/17: Film #1 Lecture Note #2 due
7/18:
WEEK FOUR: Thomas Aquinas: Eternal Law Readings in Aquinas
7/21 Aquinas Lexicon; Reading Assignments.
7/22: Film Reaction #1 Due
7/23: Draft of Panel Paper due (5 points) 1 page typed.
7/24:
7/25: Aquinas Quiz. Lecture Note #3 due.
WEEK FIVE : Human Rights: John Locke, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson
7/28:
7/29 :
7/30:
7/31: Film #2
8/01:
WEEK SIX: Panel Discussions on Contemporary Legal Challenges
8/04: privacy
8/05: surveillance
8/06: police
8/07: government Lecture Note #4 due Film #2 Reaction due
8/08: healthcare
WEEK SEVEN : FINAL CLASS SESSION/CELEBRATION
8/11: Overview of Class
8/12: Final Lecture Note due
8/13 Celebration Day
Grading Rubric
- 4 Weekly lecture Notes @5 points 20 points
- 2 Film Reactions: 10 points per=20 points
- Attendance and participation: 27 class sessions= 35 points
- Panel Research Paper: 15 points
- 1 Aquinas Quiz @ 10 points
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 100 pts. [the ‘94’ grade (A) equals 94 points or better]
Letter Grades
- A
90-93 A-
87-89 B+
- B
- B-
- C+
- C
- D
- F
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. Make-up tests will lose credit.
Panel Discussion - Protocol
Each student to select an applied area of legal challenge (privacy, surveillance, police...etc...) and to be assigned to one of 5 groups in week one. Draft of research paper due on 7/23 (5 points).
Deliverable: Typed paper due day of panel presentation (week 5). Each student to present their research in panel discussion on days of week 6.
