LABOURECOLLEGE
PHI 1010-B - ETHICS - FALL TERM 2014
Office Telephone: 617.296.8300 (x3559)
Office: 1-Stop (“B” Building)
Office Hours: Available before and after class
Class Meetings: Tuesdays
5:15pm - 8:05pm *** Rm. #: 208
Sept.: 9, 16, 23 & 30
Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28 & 30
Nov.: 4, 11 (Vet. Day-Holiday), Last Day to Drop Classes-14) 18 & 25
Dec. 2 & 9 (Last Class-Attendance Anticipated)
December 15: Final Essays Due
Dates to Consider:
Receipt Mid-term Essays: Oct. 7th
Mid-Term Essays Due via e-mail: Oct., 21st
Quiz & Receipt of Quiz Question Ten: Oct. 23rd
Quiz Question 10 Essay Due via e-mail: Oct. 28th
Last Day to Drop Classes: Friday, Nov., 14th
Receipt of Final Essay Question One: Nov. 18th
Receipt of Final Essay Questions Two & Three: Dec. 2nd
Project-Class Presentations: Dec., 2nd & 9th
Final Essays Due via e-mail: Mon., December 15th
All Labouré College courses, regardless of format, utilize e-Learning 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 only in part 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---
LabouréCollegeis committed to graduating an educated person. The educated graduate of 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 articles)
- Video presentations
- e-Learning Forum Discussion Postings
- e-Learning Study Group Discussion Postings
Critical thinking skills are INTRODUCED & REINFORCED through:
- Quiz
- Mid-term Assessment
- Study Group Presentations
- Semester Assessment
- Video Analysis
- Classroom-Study Group & e-Learning Forum Engagement
III. TEXTS AND READINGS
Ethics: Theory and Practice, 11th 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 e-Learning 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-Learning 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.
e-Mail 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 Laboure College 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, Nov., 14th 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 - Types of Justice
Ethical Starting Points Relative to Socrates, Plato & Aristotle
Technology - Nano. Tech. Robotics - Social Media
Back to Nature Relative to Ecology & the Environment
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 (Thiroux Text-Articles) - Web Links
CLASS VIEWING: 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: 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. 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 (Thiroux Text-Articles)- Web Links
MODULES SIX & SEVEN:
***Morality in Relation to Others***Theories of Right Action***
CLASS CONTENT: Ethical Theories---
Utilitarianism (Consequentialist) - Teleological
Nonconsequentialist- Deontological Ethics
Social Contract Theory
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 (Thiroux Text-Articles) - Web Links
CLASS VIEWING: Living With Dying
Study Group Presentations
Final Essays Due via e-mail: Monday, December 15th