LABOURE COLLEGE

PHI 1010-A - ETHICS - SUMMER TERM 2013

Leo R. Thibault, Instructor - leo_thibault@laboure.edu

Office Telephone: 617.296.8300 (x4032) - OfficeRm. #: 202

Office Hours: Available before and after class

Class Meetings: Mondays & Wednesdays

5:15pm - 8:10pm *** Rm. #: 331

 

July 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29 & 31

(July 26th: Last Day to Withdraw Class)

August 5, 7, 12 & 14 (last day of class)

Final Essays Due: Thursday, August 15^th

Dates to Consider:

Receipt of Mid-Term Essays: Wed., July 10^th

Receipt of Quiz Question # 10:Wed., July 17^th 

Mid-Term Essays Due via e-mail:  Wed., July 24^th 

Quiz & Quiz Question 10 Essay Due via e-mail & Receipt of Final Essay Question 1: Wed., July 24^th

Last Day To Drop Classes: Fri. July 26^th

Receipt of Final Essay Questions Two & Three: Wed., July 31^st

Project-Class Presentations (two Study Groups): Mon., Aug. 12^th

Project-Class Presentations (two Study Groups): Wed., Aug. 14^th

Final Essays Due via e-mail:  Thurs., Aug. 15^th

 

All CaritasLabouréCollege courses, regardless of format, utilize e-Racer courseware for:

 

Posting syllabus - course content - announcements - phone & e-mail contact information

I. COURSE OVERVIEW

In this course, we will examine the nature and purpose of humanity, as it relates to the Judeo Christian norm of morality and compare this norm with various other ethical systems.  Responsibility, law, religious tradition, and the development of conscience will be studied as factors determining the morality of human acts.  Reflection on ethical theories will also focus on the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.  Applications will be made principally to issues in medical ethics extending to social ethics.

II. LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be afforded the opportunity to:

1. Describe, compare and contrast various religious and secular philosophical theories.

2. Explain the processes and responsibilities related to human choice for an individual and society.

 
3. Analyze pertinent issues and current approaches within the field of medical ethics.

4. Evaluate how moral principles in philosophy, religion, and contemporary culture

    influence our decision-making ability.

5. Apply the skills of effective critical thinking by the successful completion of written

    assignments, class participation, presentations and examinations.

The Educated Person---

Labouré College is committed to graduating an educated person.  The educated graduate of College Labouré is one who has the basis for life-long learning and civic engagement and one who is prepared to deliver patient-centered care as a member of an interdisciplinary team.  To this end, the general education courses promote learning in broad areas of human knowledge leading to an understanding of historical, social, mathematics, and scientific phenomena, as well as ethical perspectives.  The professionally oriented courses promote learning that emphasizes evidence-based practice, including the latest research and clinical expertise of practitioners, quality improvement approaches, and the use of information technology.

Liberal education concepts and theories found in general education courses, along with professionally oriented courses in a student’s major, support and facilitate the development of skills students need to competently function in life and work.  These skills include information literacy, critical thinking, oral, written, and interpersonal communication and team building.

Information literacy skills are INTRODUCED & REINFORCED through:

·             Weekly class lectures

·              Class discussions of concepts & language pertinent to course content

·             Assigned readings (textbook & supplemental)

·             Video presentations

·            e-Racer Discussion Board Postings

·            e-Racer Study Group Discussion Board Postings

Critical thinking skills are INTRODUCED & REINFORCED through:

·            Quiz

·            Mid Term Assessment

·            Study Group Presentations

·            Semester Assessment

·              Video Analysis

·            Classroom Engagement

 

III. TEXTS AND READINGS

Ethics: Theory and Practice, 11^th edition. Jacques Thiroux

Catechism of the Catholic Church - Rome, Italy (available on-Line)
Additional readings will also be assigned.

IV. CLASS ORGANIZATION AND GRADING

Class meetings will be conducted in a traditional, face-to-face setting.  Some assigned readings

will be available through the Blackboard system on-line.  Progress in understanding class material

will be assessed by quizzes and graded writing assignments.  There will be a comprehensive Mid-Term

and Final Examination.  Calculation of your semester grade will be based upon the College’s Numerical

Scale (Grading Policy & Practices) and unexcused absences.

Graded Assessment Criteria:

(1) Class Engagement to include:

Classroom Participation/Attendance - e-Racer Forums/Discussion Board - Study Group

(2) Reading/Written Assessment to include:

Reading/Written Assignments - Quiz - Mid-Term Assessment - Semester Assessment

(3) Study Group Project

Quiz=10%-Mid-Term Essays=15%-Project=15%-Class Engagement=25%-Final Essays=35%

ATTENDANCE and CLASS ENGAGAMENT will also be considered in determining grades.

Students will not be permitted to make-up missed quizzes, unless there is a special circumstance (excused absence) allowed for by the instructor.  If permission is granted, they must be made up in before the next class meeting.  Location of make-up quizzes TBA.  Students with TWO UNEXCUSED ABSENCES will default one letter grade at the completion of the course.  Written assignments must be completed by prescribed deadline dates in order to receive full credit.  The highest grade a late assignment may receive is a “C”.  Students are encouraged to communicate with the instructor.  Appointments for extra help, make-up work, and attendance issues must always be discussed with the instructor.  Email will be an available option.  Office hours are available by arrangement.

 V. IMPORTANT INFORMATION---

The highest level of academic honesty is expected in this course.

Forms of academic dishonesty include:

·         Cheating on quizzes and exams

·         Plagiarism (misrepresenting another person’s work as your own)

As per Charles Lipson, in his work entitled, “Doing Honest Work in College”:
”Academic honesty boils down to three simple but powerful principles:

        When you say you did the work yourself, you actually did it.  When you rely on

        someone else’s work, you cite it. When you use their words you quote them openly

        and accurately, and you cite them too.  When you present research materials, you

        present them fairly and truthfully. This true whether the research involves

        data, documents, or the writings of other scholars.”

Dropping the Course

In order to drop a course, it is not sufficient to simply stop attending class or to inform your instructor.  In accordance with LaboureCollege policy, you must drop a course in person or in writing.  If you are thinking of dropping this course, please discuss with your academic advisor. 

The last day to drop this class is Friday, July 26^th in the Office of the Registrar.  According to the published refund schedule, your student account will be adjusted, as follows---For traditional classes: based on recorded last date of attendance.

VI. COURSE TOPICS:

MODULES ONE, TWO & THREE---

Introduction:  What is Philosophy? – What is Morality/Ethics? - ***Environmental Ethics***

CLASS CONTENT:    Syllabus / Course Overview - Dimensions of Philosophy

           Overview of ethical starting points--- Why Be Moral from a Relational

Point of View?  Written Exercise: “Philosophically Speaking”

                                    Timeline of Moral Theory: From Empedocles to Freud

       Stages of Moral Development - Lawrence Kohlberg / Carol Gillian

                                    Back to Nature-Eastern/Western Notions of Nature and Spirit-Ecology

                                            

READING :                           (Chp. 1) Thiroux,    pp. 1-18 (to “Morality & Religion”) & pp. 21-25

                   (Chp. 16)Thiroux,   pp. 351-61 (to “Wholism”); pp. 366-70 (to “Conclusion”) 

 

Supplemental Reading - Web Links

CLASS VIEWING:               Ethics of Ecosystems (TBA)- Professional Choices: Ethics at Work

                                             Relating ethically within professional engagements

MODULES FOUR & FIVE ---

 

***Religion as a Moral Determinate / Secular Humanism / Ethics in Relation to Self***

 

CLASS CONTENT :                 Virtue Ethics (Aristole)

                                             Ethics in relation to God-Faith Experience

                                             Religious Beliefs-Judeo Christian Tradition

                                             Natural Law - St. Thomas Aquinas                                       

                                             Humanist Philosophy

                                             Psychological Egoism & Ethical Egoism (Ayn Rand)

       

READING :                           (Chp. 1) Shannon: pp. 3-8

                                             (Chp. 2) Shannon: pp. 13-24

                                              (Chp. 3) Shannon: pp. 28-34

                                             (from “Morality & Religion” to “Kohlberg’s Theory…”)

                                             (Chp. 2) Thiroux, pp. 30-7 (to “Conclusion”)

                                             (Chp. 3) Thiroux,p. 49 (“Divine Command Theory”)

                                             (Chp. 4) Thiroux, pp. 61-3 & 68-75

                                            

Supplemental Reading - Web Links

MODULES SIX & SEVEN:

***Morality in Relation to Others***Theories of Right Action***

Study Group Presentations

CLASS CONTENT :    Ethical Theories---

                                   Utilitarianism (Consequentialist) - Teleological

                                   Nonconsequentialist – Deontological

                                   Types of Rights / Types of Justice / Liberty-Welfare-Equality & Human Rights

                                   Consent - Patient / Provider Communications

:                                  Advanced Directives/Living Wills - Health Care Proxy   

                                                                                                     

READING :                           (Chp. 2) Thiroux, pp. 37-44

                                             (Chp. 3) Thiroux,pp. 46-58

                                             (Chp. 7) Thiroux, pp.  106-12 (to “Other Criteria”) & pp.114-16

                                             (from “J. Rawls…” to & including “Advantages & Disadvantages of…”) &

                                             pp.128-31

                                             (Chp. 14) Thiroux,pp. 295-304

Supplemental Reading - Web Links

CLASS VIEWING:              Living With Dying & (if time allows) TheHighCost of Health Care

Final Essays Due via e-mail:  Thursday, August, 15^th