PHIL 210: Ethics

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Class Program
Philosophy
Distribution
Humanities Lecture
Credits 5 Lecture Hours 55
An introduction to ethical theories and some of today's main moral problems such as abortion, euthanasia, war, and capital punishment. Topics vary.
Quarters Offered
Fall,
Winter,
Spring
Course Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to demonstrate the following knowledge or skills:

  1. Demonstrate understanding of major ethical theories such as Virtue Theory, Kantianism, and Utilitarianism.
  2. Explain how to apply major ethical theories to contemporary moral problems such as abortion, euthanasia, war, capital punishment, etc.
  3. Demonstrate ability to distinguish among several different philosophical viewpoints on a given topic
  4. Evaluate important topics in a philosophical manner.
  5. Evaluate in writing several philosophical issues.
Institutional Outcomes
IO1 Communication: Students will be able to communicate clearly and effectively.
Course Content Outline
  1. Major ethical theories.
    1. Virtue theory
    2. Kantian Deontological theory
    3. Utilitarianism
    4. Other ethical theories
  2. Today’s main moral problems
    1. Abortion
    2. Euthanasia
    3. War
    4. Capital punishment
  3. Meta-ethical issues such as
    1. the nature of ethical principles
    2. the relativism / absolutism debate
Department Guidelines

A writing component and a minimum of two exams over the material is required. Other grading instruments will be based on a number of different assessment tools selected by the instructor and designed to meet the needs of the coursework. This may include short essays, quizzes, in-class discussion, attendance, research paper on a major philosopher, philosophical issue or movement, etc.

PO5 should be assessed: Students will be able to solve problems by gathering, interpreting, combining and/or applying information from multiple sources.