Course

20809262 Contemporary Moral Issues
Course Information
Description
This course introduces students to several different ethical theories and how they apply to contemporary moral controversies, such as the death penalty, war and terrorism, reproductive choices, immigration, environmental ethics, and free speech. This course aims at showing how many moral controversies are as much about the legitimate use of state authority as they are about moral disagreement.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies (Course Outcomes)
  1. Explain the major normative ethical theories proposed by major philosophers and schools of thought
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral or written product and/or exam
    Criteria
    Name the main ideas of philosophy and summarize the questions that fall under them
    Summarize the main ideas of philosophers discussed
    Distinguish the main ideas of philosophical schools of thought discussed

  2. Apply ethical theories to contemporary moral issues
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral or written product, case study, and/or exam
    Criteria
    Identify issues and positions to questions on Relativism
    Identify issues and positions to questions on Abortion
    Identify issues and positions to questions on Capital Punishment
    Identify issues and positions to questions on War and Terrorism
    Identify issues and positions to questions on Marriage
    Identify issues and positions to questions on Free Speech
    Identify issues and positions to questions on Racism
    Written and oral comments are clearly stated
    Written and oral comments include a presence of argument
    Written and oral comments include cogency of argument
    Written and oral comments include depth, originality, imaginativeness

  3. Apply philosophical methods: develop analytical reading skills
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral or written product and/or exam
    Criteria
    Define key terms and concepts
    Identify premises and conclusions of arguments in readings and reconstruct the arguments
    Articulate arguments in support of your own views

  4. Apply philosophical methods: clarifying concepts and reconstructing arguments
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral or written product and/or exam
    Criteria
    Define key terms and concepts
    Identify premises and conclusions of arguments in readings and reconstruct the arguments
    Articulate arguments in support of your own views

  5. Apply philosophical methods: evaluating arguments and developing counterexamples; and using thought experiments
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral or written product and/or exam
    Criteria
    Define key terms and concepts
    Identify premises and conclusions of arguments in readings and evaluate the strength of arguments
    Articulate arguments in support of your own views
    Generate/offer counterexamples

  6. Develop arguments for verbal presentation
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral product
    Criteria
    Presentation includes content from readings
    Communicate ideas clearly to others
    Formulate your own views on issues being discussed and generate supporting reasons

  7. Develop arguments for written presentation
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral or written product
    Criteria
    State thesis clearly
    Provide one or more arguments in support of thesis
    Create response to the most important criticisms and objections

  8. Demonstrate respect for different points of view
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral or written product and/or exam
    Criteria
    Summarize different views discussed in readings
    State views of others in class which disagree with your view(s)
    Arguments are well-structured with clear premises and conclusions

  9. Evaluate different points of view and use them to develop your own ideas
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral or written product and/or exam
    Criteria
    Assess the strengths and weaknesses of different philosophical positions
    Explain why your views are stronger than alternatives
    Arguments are well-structured with clear premises and conclusions