Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2021 - PHIL 120W D100

Moral and Legal Problems (3)

Class Number: 4030

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 12 – Aug 9, 2021: TBA, TBA
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Aug 16, 2021
    Mon, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A critical examination of a range of moral and legal issues we confront in our dealings with the state and our fellow human beings, such as: Is it wrong to break the law? Should pornography and recreational drugs be illegal? Do animals have rights? Is there a duty to admit immigrants? Are there duties to the world's poor? Are indigenous peoples owed reparations? Students with credit for PHIL 120 may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

In this course, we will critically examine moral and legal issues we confront in our dealings with the state and our fellow human beings. We will begin with an overview of virtue theory, Kantian ethics and classical utilitarian ethics. We will then look at contemporary issues including: what authority the state should have to redistribute wealth; whether or not the consumption of animal products is immoral and should be restricted or discouraged through taxation; the limits of freedom of speech; our obligations to immigrants and to provide charity to those in need; our obligations to respect gender and sexual diversity; systemic racism, reparations and affirmative action; and whether or not technological progress ought to be limited in order to preserve human employment and wellbeing.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

PHIL 120W may be applied towards the Writing Requirement, and the Breadth-Humanities Requirement. The course is strongly recommended for students intending to pursue a Philosophy Major or Minor (especially with the Law and Philosophy concentration), or the Certificate in Ethics.

This course is designed to advance your perspective-taking, critical thinking, reading and writing skills. The philosophical issues we will explore are central to our dealings with the state and our fellow human beings, and reflecting on these questions contributes to living an examined life. You will also learn the fundamental principles of analytical writing, including argument reconstruction and analysis. These general skills are essential to philosophy, but are applicable to all fields of study.

Video: Why Study Philosophy? 

Grading

  • Tutorial participation: participation will require active engagement in tutorial discussions. Students can ask questions or add their discussion thoughts in the chat, or verbally while tutorial is in session. Students will submit a written participation self-assessment to their teaching assistant at the end of term. In order to receive full marks, students must have added to tutorial discussions at least 5 times. Students can log 1 participation point per tutorial meeting 5%
  • Tutorial quizzes and assignments 20%
  • First paper assignment 25%
  • Second paper assignment 25%
  • Final examination: this course will have a synchronous online final examination. The final examination will permit use of class notes and readings (but no other materials). 25%

NOTES:

Lecture delivery: remote, asynchronous (recorded content). Online presence is not required during scheduled lecture time.

Synchronous review sessions with the instructor will be scheduled prior to each major assignment. These sessions will be recorded for asynchronous viewing.

Tutorial delivery: remote, synchronous.  Online presence is required during scheduled tutorial time. 



REQUIREMENTS:

Written work for this course will be submitted via Turnitin, a third party service licensed for use by SFU. Turnitin is used for originality checking to help detect plagiarism. Students will be required to create an account with Turnitin, and to submit their work via that account, on the terms stipulated in the agreement between the student and Turnitin. This agreement includes the retention of your submitted work as part of the Turnitin database. Any student with a concern about using the Turnitin service may opt to use an anonymous identity in their interactions with Turnitin. Students who do not intend to use Turnitin in the standard manner must notify the instructor at least two weeks in advance of any submission deadline. In particular, it is the responsibility of any student using the anonymous option (i.e. false name and temporary e-mail address created for the purpose) to inform the instructor such that the instructor can match up the anonymous identity with the student.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Students must have access to internet and a computer/other device that permits streaming video, word processing, a PDF reader, and teleconferencing with Zoom.

REQUIRED READING:

Course readings will be available on Canvas.


Department Undergraduate Notes:

Thinking of a Philosophy Major or Minor? The Concentration in Law and Philosophy? The Certificate in Ethics? The Philosophy and Methodology of Science Certificate?
Contact the PHIL Advisor at philmgr@sfu.ca   More details on our website: SFU Philosophy

New elective grade policy : P/CR/NC, pilot project for Spring/Summer/Fall 2021. List of exclusions for the new policy. Specifically for Philosophy: 

  • Students can use a P or CR to satisfy any requirement for a major, joint major, or minor in Philosophy (with the exception of Honours tutorials).
  • Students can use a P or CR to satisfy any prerequisite requirement for any PHIL course.
  • Students can use a P (but not a CR) to satisfy any requirement for the Ethics Certificate, or the Philosophy and Methodology of Science Certificate.
  • Philosophy Majors and Honours students can use a P (but not a CR) to satisfy any WQB requirement.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/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

TEACHING AT SFU IN SUMMER 2021

Teaching at SFU in summer 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods, but we will continue to have in-person experiential activities for a selection of courses.  Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).