Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2015 - PHIL 328 D100

Environmental Ethics (3)

Class Number: 5551

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 13, 2015: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 6 – Apr 13, 2015: Thu, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    One of PHIL 120W (or equivalent), 220 or ENV 320.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A survey of contemporary issues in environmental ethics. Topics may include: animal rights, the intrinsic value of nature, 'deep ecology', obligations to future generations, conservation, environmental justice, as well as relevant background materials in ethical theory. Students who have complete PHIL 318 may not take this course for further credit

COURSE DETAILS:

This is an intermediate level course in environmental ethics focusing on how individuals and the state should respond to climate change. The course will begin by examining two recent monographs that appeal to rival rights-based and welfarist perspectives as the moral foundation for climate justice. (Since one book argues that our obligations are considerably more modest than the other, this should make for a lively contrast.) We proceed to examine a series of particular moral problems arising from climate change possibly including: obligations to future generations, the special rights of native peoples, individual vs. collective responsibility, and the moral claims of climate refugees.

The course is organized around two lectures each week, for a total of three hours. Students are expected to contribute to class discussion and will be required to read 2-3 papers or book chapters each week. They will also be required to synthesize the readings to complete their final research paper.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

The general aim of the course is for students to acquire a systematic understanding of the moral implications of climate change. This should enhance their ability to reflect on the arguments of the most sophisticated public intellectuals (e.g. Naomi Klein’s recent  book This Changes Everything).

The course is a good preparation for law school, or for anyone intending to participate in public debate on climate justice.

Grading

  • • Two short assignments (from a total of three) 20%
  • • One longer research paper (2500 words) 35%
  • • Final exam 35%
  • • Participation 10%

NOTES:

No Nonsense Paper Policy: In the interest of preserving a level playing field students submitting late papers without prior arrangement or a doctor's note will be penalized. Students caught plagiarizing or otherwise cheating will normally be recommended for suspension from the university.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

E. Posner, D Weisbach, Climate Change Justice, (Princeton 2010) ISBN 978-0-691-13775-9

Henry Shue, Climate Justice: Vulnerability and Protection, (Oxford 2014) ISBN 978-0-19-871370-8

Additional readings made available by course instructor.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS