PHI 2604—CRITICAL THINKING AND ETHICS—Room M237—3 Credits
PHI 2604 / Syllabus* for the TRclass—Ref# 641304[5:40 PM to 6:55 PM]See Engrade.com for grades and assignments.
Professor: / Glenn E. Macy
Department:
Office/Phones: / Course is in Arts and Philosophy Department: 305-237-2030
My office is in College Prep—Room 6319 Cubicle #6. Call 305-237-2836 (for query or appointment.)
E-Mail & Fax #: / (preferred means of communication). Fax 305-237-2856.
Classes: / 8/23, 8/25, 8/30, 9/1, 9/6, 9/8, 9/13, 9/15, 9/20, 9/22, 9/27, 9/29, 10/4, 10/6, 10/11, 10/13, 10/18, 10/20, 10/25, 10/27, 11/1, 11/3, 11/8, 11/10, 11/15, 11/17, 11/22, 11/29, 12/1, 12/6, and 12/8 (the last day of class). FINAL is 12/15.No class 12/13.
Office Hours: / Tuesday/Thursday 4:30pm-5pm(please callahead) and by appointment in Room 6319--6.
School Holidays / The college is closed on the following days: 9/3, 9/4, and 9/5; 11/11, 11/12, and11/13;and 11/24, 11/25, 11/26, and 11/27for Thanksgiving.
Pre- or Co-requisites / ENC 1101
E-mail & Internet access / A myMDC account and home or courtyard internet access.
Required books/supplies / Books are for sale or rent at the campus bookstore.
Supplies: get 8 ½ by 11 notebook-paper—use blue or black pen.
Course Description with objectives:
The course is designed to achieve two broad objectives: first, to enable students to reason more effectively, enhancing their problem solving abilities; and second, to provide students with a foundation in ethics, enabling them to think more constructively about moral issues and problems. This course combines these two objectives by using ethics as a vehicle for developing critical thinking skills. In accomplishing the course objectives, students will study methods of effective reasoning, reflect critically upon their own values and moral standards,evaluate major theories in ethics and analyze ethical issues using such theories.
Learning Outcomes
Miami Dade College has ten learning outcomes (General Education Outcome Statements created September 2006).
In particular, this course will address the following outcomes:
- Communicate effectively using listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. (Discussions and ethics essays)
- Formulate strategies to locate, evaluate, and apply information. (Discussions and ethics essays)
- Solve problems using critical and creative thinking and scientific reasoning. (Logic)
- Demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultures, including global and historical perspectives. (Course work and ethics essays)
- Demonstrate knowledge of ethical thinking and its application to issues in society (Course work, discussions, and ethics essays).
- Use computer and emerging technologies effectively(Course work, discussions, and ethics essays).
Critical Thinking and Ethics PHI 2604 Course Competencies
1. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the methods of effective reasoning by:
A.Defining key vocabulary terms.
B.Distinguishing between deductive and inductive reasoning.
C.Identifying basic patterns of valid and invalid deductive reasoning.
D.Applying various logical techniques to evaluate deductive arguments as valid or invalid.
E.Identifying basic patterns of strong and weak inductive reasoning.
F.Applying various logical techniques to evaluate inductive arguments as strong or weak.
G.Applying various logical techniques to evaluate arguments as sound or unsound.
H.Identifying examples of logical fallacies.
2: Students will demonstrate an understanding of ethics by:
A.Defining key vocabulary terms.
B.Identifying the basic questions of ethics.
C.Stating the major theories in ethics.
D.Defining controversial moral issues.
E.Identifying alternative positions on controversial moral issues.
3: Students will demonstrate critical-thinking skills by:
A.Stating arguments for and objections to major theories in ethics.
B.Stating arguments for and objections to alternative positions on controversial moral issues.
C.Critically evaluating arguments and objections.
Writing competencies for in-class essays and close readings.
Competency 1: You will present writing that has a clearly stated thesis and a clearly defined structure.
Competency 2: You will present writing based on specific readings.
- Summarize and/or paraphrase passages
- Respond to explicit and implicit content
Competency 3: You will present writing that develops an accurate interpretation or close reading of a text.
- Support the thesis or central idea with facts andadequate/appropriate arguments or quotations[i]
- Explain the meaning of the arguments made or quotations selected and explainthe significance of both.
- Use a standard form to document all phrasing and ideas that are not your own (MLA Style)
Competency 4: You will demonstrate proficiency in using techniques that enhance reading skills.
- Identify the main ideas, purpose, overall organizational pattern, supporting details, and elements of coherence in assigned readings.
- Demonstrate ability to define words by examining context using a dictionary, or applying the root-affix method.
Some key vocabulary words:
utilitarianism / deontology / prisoner’s dilemma / teleology / utilityethical subjectivism / Golden Rule / Kantianism / psychological egoism / cultural relativism
divine command theory / Natural law theory / supererogatory / supervenience / emotivism
euthanasia / social contract / justice / distributive justice / egalitarianism
veil of ignorance / invisible hand explanations / original position / rights / incompleteness
Virtues / mean / theory / unsound argument
Inference / premise / conclusion / valid inference / invalid inference
cogent/not cogent / deductive inference / inductive inference / sound argument / existential import
Venn Diagram / syllogism / categorical syllogism / statement/proposition / categorical statement
analogical inference / subject/predicate term / class / universal affirmative / universal negative
particular affirmative / particular negative / immediate inferences / square of opposition / quality (logic)
contradictory / contrary / subcontrary / subalternation / conversion
obversion / contrapositive / conversion by limitation / major premise / minor premise
major term / minor term / mood (logic) / quantity (logic) / informal fallacies*
Ad hominem* / Tu quoque* / Post hoc ergo propter hoc* / slippery slope* / composition*
Division / begging the question / complex question / straw man / red herring
guilt by association* / Two wrongs make a right* / appeal to ignorance* / hasty generalization* / irrelevant reason*
counter-examples* / appeal to authority* / equivocation* / argument / etc.(subject to change)
*Fallacy selections are subject to change.
Required Texts: Students MUST have these editions!
The Elements of Moral Philosophy, James Rachels(6th Edition)by Stuart Rachels (EMP)
The Right Thing to Do: Basic Readings in Moral Philosophy,James Rachels(5thEdition) by Stuart Rachels (RTD)
Tests
There will be quizzes on readings, logic practices, discussions in Engrade, tests, in-class writings,a mid-term, and a final.Thequizzes and tests will be a mixture of multiple-choice, true/false questions,and short answer (logic questions). There will be in-class essay questions given. Before each assessment, students should review the readings, class notes, handouts, and therelevant review sheets. Students are expected to complete reading assignments prior to class! Reading quizzes may be given.
Tentative schedule:Study Guide fortexts, supplemental readings, and logic handouts.
August 23, 25—Hand out Syllabus and student questionnaire. ReviewDiscussion 1and assign “What is Morality?”(READ EMP—Chapter 1pp. 1-13). See assignments on Engrade: remember to look at the Engrade site regularly.(8/25)Group discussion will focus on what is ethics, the cases,Rachel’s “minimum conception” of morality,moral theory, and moral agency.Print extra readings for subsequent classes including logic handout and dumping article.
August30, September 1, 6—Discuss “The Challenge of Cultural Relativism” (EMP—CHAPTER 2andRTD—28) and“Some Basic Points about Arguments” (RTD—2 pp. 20-28,plus logic handout).Discuss cultural relativism’s five tenets, challenges to culturalrelativism, and what can be learned fromculturalrelativism.Discuss the article entitled “Made in the U.S.A.—Dumped in Brazil, Africa, Iraq…” that illustrates the issues raised by cultural relativism. Start introduction to critical thinking and deductive arguments.Give typical quiz on first-week material (8/30). Set up Discussion 2 on “Monogamy: A Critique” due 9/6.
September8, 13, 15—Subjectivism in Ethics (EMP—CHAPTER 3 pp. 32-47—RTD Chapter 6 pp. 49-60).Discuss Rachels on Simple Subjectivism and Emotivism, as well as the use of reason and proofs in ethicsas illustrated bythe homosexuality example.DiscussMackie’s ideas.Discuss logic issues explainedon handouts.Begin logic practices. (Sentential arguments,inferences, & truth tables).Give Quiz 1on What is Morality?, Relativism,logic (30 pts.) 9/8.
September20, 22—“Does Morality Depend on Religion?”(EMP—CH4 pp. 48-61) (RTD—CH 9 pp. 74-77)Discuss the presumed connection, DCT, and the Theory of Natural Law. Discuss the practical value of appealing to scriptures to solve specific moral problems, indicate the shortcomings of natural law theory, and review what philosophers have thought of the connection. Continue logic practices. Quiz2:Subjectivism and logic (30 pts.) 9/20.
September27, 29—“Does Morality Depend on Religion?”continued and logic practice.
Consider additional issues in the relationship between morality & religion. Continue logic (Inferences with categorical propositions). Have Quiz 3 on text material on morality, religion, and logic(9/29) (30 pts.).
October4, 6—“Ethical Egoism”(EMP—CHAPTER 5 pp. 62-79). Distinguish psychological egoism from ethical egoism, indicate if one follows from the other, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the theory. On 10/410/6—continue categorical propositions and syllogisms.Find justice handout. Distribute midterm review sheet.
October 11—Mid-Term exam on material covered between 8/23and 10/6 takenfrom Chapters 1 to 5 in EMP and class notes (from slides). Midterm will include multiple-choice & other short answer (50 pts.)
October 13, 18—“The Idea of a Social Contract”(EMP pp. 80-96). Discuss Hobbes idea of the social contract and the advantages and disadvantages of the theory.
October 20—Review the justice handout. Quiz 4 on social contract theoryand logic (30 pts.).Discuss the idea of a social contract in Nozick’s contemporary version. Review logic practices.
October 25—Discuss the idea of a social contract in Rawls’contemporary version.
October 27,November 1—Utilitarianism (EMP—CHAPTERS6 & 7 pp. 87-123—RTD Chapter 3 & 4 pp. 29-45). Discuss utilitarianism.Explain several objections to utilitarianism. Quiz 5 on Rawls & Nozick, and logic (10/27).
November3, 8—Discussin-class essay topic. Begin Kant. Give in-class essay on 11/8.
November 10, 15—“Are There Absolute Moral Rules?”(EMP—CHAPTER 9 & 10 pp. 124-145—RTD Chapter 7pp. 61-66) Explain the difference between a hypothetical and a categorical imperative. State the versions of Kant’s categorical imperative.Continue discussion of logic.
November 17, 22—Review Kant’s retributivism anddiscuss essay topic. Discuss logic.Quiz 6 on Kant & logic.
November 29—Catch-up—Discuss logic fallacies.
December 1, 6, 8—Virtue Ethics. Review for final and examine topic for final in-class essay. Logic Fallacies quiz (30).
No class 12/13 of finals week.
Final Exam—December 15—Complete the FINAL EXAM and in-class essay (100 pts.).
Class Participation
You all have valuable and important insights to make to the course—the more you contribute to the class discussions, the more the course will become your own, which is one of my goals as an instructor. Participation is a central part of the course. Participation is judged on 1) students’ grasp of the assigned reading material; 2) their ability to apply ideas developed in the readings to new situations, including their own experience; and 3) their ability to listen to, and respond relevantly to, the comments of other students in the course. Students are expected to complete reading assignments prior to class, to make careful note of all class announcements, and to take their own notes. Students are expected to bring questions to class concerning aspects of the readings that are difficult.
Attendance: Attendance is mandatory and roll will be taken at the beginningof each class and maybe taken at the endof each class session. Attendance and grades will be posted on Engrade. Students who are absent or late will be penalized.Students who leave early will be assessed a penalty equivalent to those given for being absent or for being tardy. There isoneun-penalized absence and two un-penalized tardies forthis semester. If you exceed these allowances, then your grade will be penalized in the increasingly severe manner described under points. This is your education. You should plan to be on time for and in class as much as possible. These allowances allow for life’s genuine emergencies.
Only twoassignments can be made up and any assignment must be made up withina week of the original due date. . Failure to make up an assignmentbefore a week passes will result in a zero for that assignment.If you miss the day of the final exam,you must make up the examsIMMEDIATELY (by the end of the semester Friday 12/16 @ 3PM). The final exam MAY NOT BE TAKEN EARLY, SO DON’T ASK. Makeups are administered on a day and time agreed upon by BOTH the student and the instructor in accordance with the above if the student is unable to take the assignment during the next office hours period.
DISRUPTIVE TALKING, CELLPHONES, & OTHER TECHNOLOGICAL DEVICES: I maintain a strict policy regarding talking and cell phones. If you chat during class activities or lectures, the class may be given a pop quiz during the next class. If a cell phone or other technological devise “goes off” (via vibration or ringing) in class, in a manner that disrupts or disturbs the learning and teaching of the course, I may administer a pop quiz to the entire class. This may seem unfair, but truthfully, it is unfair to your professor and to your classmates to have disruptions that interrupt the learning environment. TURN YOUR DEVICES OFF BEFORE CLASS BEGINS.
Points
TESTS AND ASSIGNMENTS / POINTSAttendance & participation [60]. Lateness penalties increase -1,-2, -3, etc. for each lateness. Absence penalties increase -2,-4, -6, etc. for each absence. Each student is responsible for being on time, checking in, and coming to class. / 60
First in-class essay:(50) / 50
Quizzeson logic and text material and book check and Engrade login. / 190
Midterm Final / 100
The FinalExam the final in-class essay will be given on 12/15. These exams may not be taken early! / 100
Reading quizzes as needed. / ?
Extra credit on logic (10 points).
Total / 500
Remember, this syllabus is subject to change.
Grades
To receive a final grade, students are required to take the tests and quizzes, complete assignments, and attend class regularly. A student's final grade is based upon his or her total point accumulation.The grade categories are as follows:
A = 450 or more points—90% or above
B = 400449points—80%-89.9%
C = 350399 points—70%-79.9%
D = 300349 points—60%-69.9%
F = fewer than 300 points—less than 60% of 500 points
The final examand the final in-class will be given on 12/15 during exam week.
1
*Subject to change.