Spring 2016 - PHIL 120W D100

Moral Problems (3)

Class Number: 8185

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 11, 2016: Tue, Thu, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 17, 2016
    Sun, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A critical examination of a range of questions and problems we confront as moral agents, such as: the nature and scope of our moral responsibilities, the source of our moral and civil rights, and the role of moral emotions, like resentment, love and forgiveness. Students with credit for PHIL 120 may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course introduces students to moral philosophy by examining a series of problems. The topics are chosen because they are controversial. They include:
Abortion – should it ever be legal?
Pornography – should it be legal; should the state be in your bedroom?
Privacy – should the state and Google be in your bedroom?
Famine Relief  - am I my brother’s keeper?
Immigration and Refugees – if I am my brother’s keeper, must I keep him in my house?
Affirmative Action – should some groups get a leg up in jobs and admissions procedures?

The course is organized around two lectures and one tutorial each week for a total of three hours. Students are expected to contribute to discussion in tutorial and will be required to read 1-2 papers or book chapters each week.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

The aim of the course is for students to acquire an understanding of the distinctive methods and theories that philosophy uses for addressing moral problems.

The course is good preparation for law school.

PHIL 120W may be applied towards the Certificate in Liberal Arts, the Writing Requirement, and the Breadth-Humanities Requirement.

Grading

  • • Ten single paragraph reflections (1% deducted per missed assignment)
  • • One essay and one revision, 500 words 20%
  • • One essay and one revision, 700 words 20%
  • • One final paper 1500 words, no revision 30%
  • • One short final exam 30%

REQUIREMENTS:

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:

Contemporary Debates in Applied Ethics, Cohen and Wellman (Eds.) (Wiley Blackwell) 2nd Edition. (First edition is OK.)

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