Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2026 - PHIL 120W D100

Moral and Legal Problems (3)

Class Number: 3102

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 11 – Aug 10, 2026: Mon, 2:30–4:20 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:

This course explores fundamental questions about the nature of morality, law, and their relationship. We will examine competing answers to questions such as: What is the good life—the life worth living? What makes an action morally right? Is there even such a thing as a morally right action, or is morality entirely relative? What role, if any, do God or religion play in determining how we ought to live? What is justice? And to what extent, and for what reasons, does the state have morally justified authority to govern our lives through law? Alongside our study of major ethical theories, we will engage with contemporary moral dilemmas that bring these ideas into focus. Throughout the course, we will also set aside time for personal reflection on how each of us might thoughtfully cultivate our own character and moral views.

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.

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Goals:
· Identify, analyze, and critically evaluate arguments
· Demonstrate understanding of major positions in ethical theory
· Reflect thoughtfully on one’s own character and moral commitments
· Interpret philosophical texts with care and precision
· Write clear and rigorous essays on philosophical topics
· Develop and defend philosophical positions in group discussion and debat

Grading

  • Lecture attendance 10%
  • Tutorial attendance 10%
  • In class writing assignment (3 assignments: 15 points each) 45%
  • Final project (with revision) 35%

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

REQUIRED READING:

Living Ethics: An Introduction with Readings (3rd ed.) by Russ Shafer-Landau (ISBN 9780197768143)


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

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 philcomm@sfu.ca   More details on our website: SFU Philosophy

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.