Excerpt from the St. Edward’s University Mission Statement: “Graduates should be prepared, through training in critical and creative thinking as well as moral reasoning, to analyze problems, propose solutions, and make responsible decisions.”
1. Overview:
People become morally educated, as against trained, insofar as they achieve a grasp of the principles of ethical analysis and the motivation to choose, organize, and assess their own values and actions by means of those principles. Ethics is more than being religious, following a code of conduct, or having proper etiquette. It implies deciding for ourselves by means of a moral decision making process, based upon human reason and defensible moral principles, what to do and to believe. To be ethical implies that one has acted through self-motivation, with open-mindedness, and always with an eye to normative moral principles. This course will focus on normative theories and moral decision making. By means of online lectures, class discussions, and group working sessions, we will explore the questions, “what does it mean to be ethical and how do we make good ethical decisions?”
Since this is an online section all work can be completed at a distance. This mode of delivery requires more discipline and self-motivation than the more traditional campus sections so be sure you have the qualities for this form of delivery. Also, review the web site closely and if you have questions, email your instructor as soon as possible.
2. Learning Objectives:
a. accurately and impartially apply normative ethical principles to specific moral situations.
b. analyzing ethically oriented material and case studies with the goal being to produce a clear, objective, and impartial essay that demonstrates insight into thoughts and feelings.
c. synthesizing subject-matter insights and knowledge into a clear, unbiased, and well-defended moral judgment
d. demonstrating through oral and written exercises independent thinking and intellectual responsibility by justifying one’s moral judgments.
e. demonstrate the understanding of and be able to apply moral and ethical concepts in moral philosophy.
3. Materials:
All materials are available either online or provided by the instructor.
4. Structure of the Course: There are audios, videos, discussion assignments, essays, exams all which must be completed by a specific deadline. In addition to reading the Requirements material below, you should closely review the Assignments section of the syllabus. Most of the course components are linked to and listed within this section so this is a good place to start. Most will also be available within Canvas as well.
5. Class Attendance: This course requires you to logon and participate in our discussion a minimum of two times per module when a discussion question has been posted and to adhere to the posting deadlines. When applicable, two responses are the minimum for a passing grade for that module, but does not guarantee the grade; two very weak posts could give you a “D” or less and one or no posting for that discussion module will usually give you a failing grade for that module. I will give you a discussion grade around mid-course and then at the end of the course (total two grades). If there are problems with your posts, I will notify you privately so we can work on a solution for improvement. Please review the Assignments page for the specific module when the discussion grades will be posted to Canvas. You must actively participate in class discussions in order to receive the exams and to be allowed to submit assignments. Your postings should be directly supported from our readings, videos or the online lectures. Once the module has ended, additional posts are not counted toward your module’s participation grade. For more information, see number six below and Online Discussions above.
6. Class Preparation. Taking notes or outlining the material is recommended not only for class participation but for assistance with the examinations. You should come to each session able to discuss the main issues of the assignment, all terminology, concepts, etc., be familiar with the study questions, if applicable, for each assignment, and you could be asked during our online class to present the main points of an article or reading or to respond to a question raised by another student.
7. Time Commitment. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS),http://sacscoc.org/ , which is one of the accrediting agencies in the U.S. in conjunction with the Department of Education now requires all faculty to list the approximately number of hours each assignment will take. The general rule of thumb is that each three-credit hour course will take approximately 120 to 150 hours of work and so in a semester long class this averages out to about eight to ten hours per module. Of course, depending on the skill level of each student, some may take less time and others more plus those who strive for an “A” will probably study more than those to strive for a “C”. I read at the rate of about 20 pages per hour and the first time through any work in philosophy I have to read the material twice and take notes; I’m using this as the default reading rate. Having read the material is not equal to having learned the material. After each week and or assignment I will list the number of hours I think it will take you to complete the work at “A” level. This should help you plan your schedule. This information is included in the Assignments section of this syllabus.
8. Examinations. There are two examinations given during the course. Each exam will contain two parts: a timed online part which consists of true/false, multiple choice and short answer questions and an essay part which is posted to Canvas, but must be submitted to me via email. These examinations will include an analysis and evaluation of the material which includes the assigned web sites, the readings from the books, audio/video lectures, my occasional mini-lectures, and possibly information which other students have posted. Unless there are extenuating medical circumstances discussed in advance of the due date, late exams will be penalized 5 points per day, but the online part, which is completed through Canvas, cannot be late. The examination dates are posted under Assignments. Please review the Assignments page on this web site for exam dates and deadlines.
In grading the essay part of the exam I look for five things:
1. specific illustrative examples from the text
2. correct use of technical terminology
3. coherent expression of basic lines of reasoning
4. explanation of all important claims
5. detail sufficient to indicate familiarity with the entire relevant reading
**Diagnostic Interview: Should you score lower than a 60 on either exam you will need to schedule within seven days an appointment with me during office hours in my office to discuss your performance and to go over the exam. This applies to students who live out-of-town as well.
9. Online Discussions: Learning in the distance education environment cannot be passive. If you do not enter into the online classroom –do not post a quality contribution to the discussion — we have no way of knowing you have attended class. So you are not only responsible for logging on and participating by the posting deadlines, but you must contribute to the learning process by posting your thoughts and ideas which are an outcome of your readings or our class discussions. Learning is an action process which we all must participate if it is to be successful. You are required to logon to our discussion group at least twice per discussion module (this is the minimum not the recommended number of times). A discussion question based on that module’s reading will be posted by the professor at the beginning of each module, when applicable, and you are required to make one or more responses over at least two days (so the minimum is two responses over two days) to the question and subsequent discussion before the module ends. Your response must be supported with information (use page or paragraphs numbers when possible) from the readings; I am not simply asking for your opinion. Two quality postings spread over at least two days is the minimum for each module, but you should plan to participate in the discussion more often. I highly recommend you logging on several times for each module even if you do not plan to post. Again, two postings over two different days for each module is the minimum, not the recommended number. For the Discussion Guidelines and Grading Standards see Online Discussions on my home page. In addition to your weekly participation, you could be asked to be discussion leader at least once during the course. If applicable, discussion leaders should plan on logging on at least once each day during the module. Not every module has a discussion activity.
10. Substitute Discussion Assignments. There are several discussion modules and I realize that sometimes life intrudes and for whatever reason you may not be able to attend class every session. With approval from me, you have the option of substituting written assignments for two of the discussion modules. The grade on your writing assignment will substitute for that particular module’s discussion grade. The writing assignment can be submitted 48 hours before the discussion module begins, anytime during the discussion module itself and up to 48 hours after the discussion ends. The assignment consists of a very detailed outline of all the material for that week. I want to be able to read your outline and see that you have analyzed and understood the material for that week. The assignment should be emailed to me within the time frame discussed above and grades will be assigned in five point increments: 100, 95, 90, 85, and so on. Writing assignments cannot substitute for poor discussion grades or serve as extra credit.
11. Study Guides: Prior to “attending” each class you should be reasonably familiar with the answers involved in responding to each of the review and study questions. If you are unsure of the proper response or you are unclear about your response, do not hesitate to raise your questions in class discussion. Any guides posted should also assist you in your exam preparation. If you are the week’s discussion leader, you should have most, if not all, of these prepared for the class. I will also sometimes posted “lecture” outlines over that session’s material. You should be familiar with the content of these “lecture” outlines.
12. Moral Reasoning Essays:
Several analytical and evaluative papers are required. Guidelines for three of these are found in the Moral Reasoning Booklet and additional information will be posted to Bb. Please review the guidelines very closely before beginning these assignments.
The first is a one to two page typed summary (at least 250 words) of a personal moral dilemma you have encountered or are currently encountering. This is section A of the Moral Reasoning Guidelines (see the Moral Reasoning booklet). While a grade will not be assigned for this essay, it must be approved before writing essay B, the Discovery Essay. Also realize that this is the minimum length not necessarily the recommended. If your essays need to be longer, that is okay. You should conclude this essay with your “should” question which clearly shows the values conflict.
The second paper, the Discovery essay, asks you to evaluate your personal moral dilemma which you summarized in essay one and which was drawn either from your job or your personal life. See section B of the Moral Reasoning Guidelines. The minimum length is 900 words, this is the minimum, not the recommended. Failure to meet the minimum length will result in an automatic “D” (at best) for that assignment. Late papers will be penalized 5 points per day unless prior approval is received from the instructor. Essays two and three must be submitted through Canvas and emailed copies are not accepted. This essay counts 15% of your final grade.
In the third paper, the Justification essay, you are asked to offer a normative ethical defense or argument for your moral rule which you uncovered during your discovery analysis. Your moral rule must be approved; if not, you will need to resubmit your rule for approval at least 10 days prior to the justification essay due date. Failure to have your moral rule approved will result in a penalty on this essay. Your normative defense should be grounded in either Utilitarian, Kantian, or Virtue Ethics. You will do this by using the Justification part of our moral reasoning method, section C of the Moral Reasoning Guidelines; you are arguing for or justifying your position using one of the valid normative ethical theories we studied this semester. The third essay, the Justification Essay, section C, a minimum of four full typed double-spaced pages (at least 1200 words). Failure to meet the minimum length will result in an automatic “D” (at best) for that assignment. This essay must also be submitted to Canvas and emailed copies are not accepted. Late papers will be penalized 10 points per day. This essay counts 20% of your final grade.
The grading emphasis for for the second essay is primarily on the depth and completeness of your analysis and third essay is based on how well you demonstrate an understanding of the normative theory, the sophistication you showed in applying the principles, and your depth of analysis as well as the objectivity of your arguments, the sophistication of the application of the Discovery and Justification processes, as well as on correct grammar, spelling, punctuation etc. The moral dilemma essay will not be assigned a grade, but approval must be secured before moving to the second essay.
Sample papers can be found under Class Resources. Late papers will be penalized 5 to 15 points per day. A paper is considered late if it is submitted after the due date and time listed on this syllabus. The paper must conform to the standards set in the MLA Handbook. If you have not been actively participating in our discussions, you will not be allowed to submit this assignment and should consider withdrawing from the course.
13. Academic Integrity: Students are expected to maintain high standards of academic integrity in all work for this course. Dishonesty in any work will result in a grade of “F” for the course and a letter to the Dean of New College will be sent. Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty that may result in the same penalty. In cases of mitigating circumstances, the instructor may assign a lesser penalty. Once a grade of “F” has been assigned on the basis of academic dishonesty, the student may not withdraw from the course. For additional information see our Academic Integrity Policy. Please don’t cheat; don’t be ashamed of yourself later.
14. Accessibility and Special Circumstances: If you have a specific medical, psychiatric or learning disabilities and require accommodation in this class, please let me know by the end of the first week or as soon as you are eligible so that your learning needs may be appropriately met. If your disability requires assistance with the technology used in our class also let me know so we can try to meet your needs. You will need to provide documentation of your disability to the Disability Services office. Additional support can be found in the Academic Support Services office.
15. THE WRITING CENTER: The Writing Center offers one on one, 30 minute sessions to assist you with your papers. You should make an appointment ahead of time through the url listed below. Bring a copy of the paper you want to work on, making sure that it is as complete and polished as possible. You will benefit far more by working on the finer points in the process rather than correcting very basic mistakes.
16. Evaluation:
| Exams | 25% each = Total 50% |
| Discovery Essay | 15% |
| Justification Essay | 20% |
| Class Participation | 15% |
| GRADE Points | Course Average |
| A+ 4.0 | 98 to 100 |
| A 4.0 | 93 to 97 |
| A- 3.67 | 90 to 92 |
| B+ 3.33 | 87 to 89 |
| B 3.0 | 83 to 86 |
| B- 2.67 | 80 to 82 |
| C+ 2.33 | 77 to 79 |
| C 2.0 | 70 – 76 |
| D 1.0 | 60 to 69 |
| F 0.0 | Less than 60 |
17. Incomplete: A grade of I (Incomplete) can be requested only for verifiable medical reasons, death in the immediate family or exceptional circumstances as defined by the instructor and then only if you have successfully completed 10 of the weeks and have a grade of “C” or better in the course. Please talk with me if you think you will need an I in the course. A grade of I must be requested by the student; it is not automatically given.
18. Dropping/ Withdrawing Policy: It is your responsibility to be aware of add/drop/withdraw and refund deadlines; see calendar under Deadlines . If you are not keeping up with the assignments, I will automatically withdraw you at the end of thesecond module. After that time, I will not withdraw anyone and thus it becomes your responsibility to file a withdrawal request.
19. Online Etiquette: When we communicate with each other in person we have facial and verbal expressions to rely on to help us in understanding each other. On a computer we have only our words and often we are meaning one thing but it sounds to others like we mean something else or are attacking them. Be sensitive to the feelings and attitudes of others (in computer jargon, don’t flame each other). If you type in all caps people think you are yelling so please refrain from this. We are dealing with sensitive issues so be considerate of others.
20. Technology Skills and Requirements: Since there are audios and videos required for this course, you should have access to a high-speed internet connection at home or, if approved by your employer for school work, at work as well as either external speakers or the availability of headphones. You should also be able to download and upload documents and able to work successfully in an online environment. Should you have problems you should contact the SEU Computer Help Desk if a technology related problem or me if it is a course related one.
updated January 17, 2017