Professor Talbott                                                                       Summer 2011

Office:  Savery 387                                                                   Philosophy 440A:  Ethics   

Phone:  543-5095                                                                      MTWThF:  1:10 – 3:20 pm

Email:  wtalbott@uw.edu                                                         EEB 025

Office Hours:  Tues. 4-5 pm and by appointment            

URL:  http://faculty.washington.edu/wtalbott/

 

SYLLABUS

PHILOSOPHY 440A:  ETHICS

 

Disability Resources For Students.  If you would like to request academic accommodations due to a disability, please contact Disability Resources for Students (DRS), 448 Schmitz, (206) 543-8924 (V/TTY).  If you have a letter from DRS indicating you have a disability that requires academic accommodations, please present the letter to me so we can discuss the accommodations you might need for the class. 

 

            I. Course Goals:  In the first half of the course, the main issue to be discussed will be:  What are we doing when we make a moral judgment?  In the second half of the course, we will discuss various substantive ethical theories, including utilitarian ethics, social contract ethics, virtue ethics, and feminist ethics.  This course will teach the interpretation and understanding of difficult philosophical texts.  Students will be taught to explain and critically evaluate difficult philosophical texts orally and in writing.

 

            II. Course Readings.  There is one required text, Louis P. Pojman, Ethical Theory (6th ed.) and one required course reader.  The text and the reader are available for purchase at the University Book Store.  Except for the first class, readings should be done before class on the day they are due.

 

            III. Course Requirements.

            1. Class Attendance:  Students are required to attend all classes.  Classes are MTWThF 1:10-3:20 pm in EEB 025.

            2.  Email.  I will send out important class and individual messages to your U.W. email account.  You should check that account regularly.  I also encourage you to use email to contact me.  My email address appears above.  I usually answer email messages within 24 hours during the week and within 48 hours on weekends and holidays.

3. End-of-Class Questions (1-5 Points Each).  At the end of each class, except the day of the midterm exam and the day of the final exam, you will be asked to give a written answer to a question based on the readings or the discussion in lecture.  These assignments will provide practice for writing answers to exam questions.  Answers to end of class questions may not be turned in late, unless the absence is excused.  If you are present or have an excused absence and receive less than 1/2 credit for your answer to an end-of-class question, you may resubmit for up to 1/2 credit.  All answers to end of class questions for excused absences and all resubmits must be received before the beginning of the final exam.

5. Midterm Exam (200 Points—100 Points for Each Part).  The Midterm Exam will have two parts.  The first part is a take-home essay that will be given out in class on Thursday June 30 and is to be turned in to the PHIL 440 Collect It electronic drop box by midnight on Tuesday July 5.  The second part is a closed-book exam that will be given in class on Tuesday July 5. 

            6. Final Exam (200 Points—100 Points for Each Part).  The Final Exam will be in two parts.  The first part will be a take-home essay question that will be given out in class on Friday, July 15 and will be due in the Collect It electronic drop box at midnight on Friday, July 22.  The second part will be a closed book exam to be given in class on Wednesday, July 20.   

 

NOTE:  Please bring a pen and a blank exam book with no missing pages to all exams. 

 

            IV. Course Web Site.  All handouts, transparencies, and end-of-class questions will be available on the course Web site (see URL above).  So if you are ever absent, you can check the course Web site to find out what you missed.

 

V. Academic Integrity. Whenever you turn in any assignment in this course, the understanding is that what you are turning in is your own original work, except to the extent that you explicitly credit others for their contributions. You have an obligation to avoid even the appearance of impropriety, by always attributing any argument or idea that you have borrowed, even if you have modified it, to its source.  The source may be written or oral.  For example, if an argument was suggested by a fellow student, include that information in a footnote.  If it is determined that there has been cheating that involves one student copying another's work on an assignment or exam, if both students were aware of the copying, both will receive zero credit for the assignment or exam, in addition to any other sanctions that might be imposed.

 

            VI. Extensions Of Time.  Extensions of time should be requested in advance of the deadline.  Unexcused, late work will be penalized.

 

            VII. Grades.  Grades will be based on points earned (out of a total possible of approximately 480 points) as follows:  (1) End of Class Questions (Approx. 80 Points); (2) Midterm Exam (200 Points—100 Points for Each Part); (3) Final Exam (200 Points—100 Points for Each Part).  Grades are based on total points earned, as follows:  96% = 4.0; 95% = 3.9; 90% = 3.5; 80% = 3.0; 65% = 2.0; 50% = 1.0.  Your contribution to discussion in class can improve your grade, but cannot lower it.

 

            VIII. Course Evaluation.  Tuesday July 19 in class.  The course evaluation is your opportunity to evaluate my performance and to provide suggestions for improving the course.

 

            IX. Return of Final Exams.  Unless other arrangements are made, the in-class portion of the Final Exam will be available for pick-up in the Philosophy Department Office (SAV 361) during the last week of July.  If you would like your Final Exam to be mailed to you, please provide me with a stamped, self-addressed envelope for mailing.  

 

 

 

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