Department of Applied Ethics
College of Policy, Ethics and Legal Studies
COURSE SYLLABUS
PHI 1600, Section 1124
Studies in Applied Ethics
0510 – Spring 2016
INSTRUCTOR:
Name: Anthony Abell
Email: Contact through MyCourses Email,
Phone: 727-505-2746
Office Hours/Instructor Availability: Appointment
Office Location: Lyceum Building, Tarpon Springs Campus
Instructor Web Page: https://webapps.spcollege.edu/instructors/id/Abell.Anthony
ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT:
Dean: Dr. Susan Demers
Office Location: SS 165, Clearwater Campus
Office Number: (727) 791-2501
Email:
Academic Chair: Adeniji A. Odutola, PhD
Office Location: Lyceum Building, Tarpon Springs Campus
Office Number: 727-712-5812
COURSE INFORMATION:
Courses Description:
This course is a practical overview of key issues, questions and concepts in applied ethics. Special emphases are placed on the historical development of ethical thinking, a variety of ethical approaches and on multicultural aspects of ethics. Students will also examine a variety of personal, social and professional ethical issues and problems and learn methods of resolving them through the use of critical thinking skills, sound ethical reasoning and legal and professional codes. Students are provided an active learning experience, increased student interaction and
opportunities for independent research into ethical issues of personal interest. This course partially satisfies the writing requirements outlined in the General Education Requirements. This course meets the College’s general education requirements for applied ethics. Credit is not given for both PHI 1600 and any of the following courses: PHI1603, PHI 1602H, PHI 1631, PHI 2621, PHI 2622, PHI 2635 or PHI 2649.
Learning Outcomes and Objectives:
1. The student will identify historical developments in ethical thinking, comparing ideas from early Greek to contemporary philosophers by:
a. defining central ethical terms.
b. describing major historical and contemporary theories of ethics.
2. The student will identify and analyze a variety of ethical issues when presented with examples by:
a. distinguishing between moral and non-moral issues.
b. classifying personal, social, and professional ethical issues.
c. evaluating various perspectives regarding personal, social and professional ethical issues.
3. The student will analyze diversity in ethics by:
a. identifying societal values.
b. differentiating between examples of ethical and unethical behavior within societies.
c. evaluating the effect of unethical behavior on the individual and the society.
4. The student will apply critical thinking skills and ethical principles to resolve ethical issues by:
a. describing methods of ethical decision-making.
b. employing philosophical principles to resolve ethical dilemmas when presented with actual and hypothetical ethical issues found in personal, social and professional life.
c. describing the distinguishing characteristics and emphases of a variety of professional codes of ethics (including the Florida Code of Ethics for Public Employees) and relating the codes to ethical issues in contemporary professional life.
5. Students will evaluate codes of ethics in the professional, corporate and government context by:
a. identifying and critiquing specific code(s) of ethics relating to their chosen careers.
b. applying code(s) of ethics relating to their chosen careers to resolve ethical dilemmas.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK & OTHER RESOURCE INFORMATION:
Required Textbook: This class requires the purchase or lease of:
Ethics Applied Edition 7.0
(Manias, Monroe & Till, Pearson Education).
ISBN 13-978 1 256 82535 7
ISBN 10-1 256 82535 2
OR
Ethics Applied Edition 7.5
(Manias, Monroe & Till, Pearson Education).
ISBN-13: 978-1-323-29316-4
ISBN-10: 1-323-29316-7
Textbooks are also available at every St. Petersburg College library and must be read at the library.
Library: http://www.spcollege.edu/libraries/
MEETING INFORMATION:
Course Location: EP452, Tarpon Springs Campus
Meeting Days: Monday/Wednesday
Class Times: 3:30-4:45 pm
IMPORTANT DATES:
Classes Begin: 1/11/2016
Last Day to Drop and receive refund: 1/15/2016
Last Day to withdraw w/grade of “W”: 3/23/2016
College Closed:
Martin Luther King Observance: 1/18/2016
Spring Break: 3/6-3/13/2016
Spring Holiday: 3/25-3/27/2016
Final Exam Week: 5/2-5/5/2016
Financial Aid: http://www.spcollege.edu/central/SSFA/HomePage/calendar.htm
ATTENDANCE:
The college-wide attendance policy is included in the Syllabus Addendum http://www.spcollege.edu/addendum/.The policy notes that each instructor is to exercise professional judgment and define “active participation” in class (and therefore “attendance”), and publish that definition in each syllabus. For this class, attendance is defined as showing up on time and ready to participate. If you have more than three unexcused absences by the 60% point of the semester, you will not have satisfied my criterion for "active participation", and I will recommend you receive a grade of WF for the course. An unexcused absence is any for which you have not notified me in advance, or one for which you cannot furnish documentation of an emergency. Additionally your attendance will contribute to your participation portion of your grade.
GRADING:
PHI 1600 is a Gordon Rule class (the Gordon Rule originated with the Florida Legislature). A Gordon Rule class requires students to demonstrate college-level writing skills through multiple assignments. SPC has designated the CTAP as one indication that the Gordon Rule has been fulfilled. In order to pass PHI 1600 and fulfill the general education requirements for Ethics you must achieve a final grade of C or better in Ethics, you must (a) successfully complete the CTAP assignment and (b) achieve a final grade of C or better in PHI 1600.
Your final grade in this class will be based on the points you earn on assignments, papers, and exams. All final letter grades at XX.5% or greater will be rounded up to the next letter grade (i.e. 89.5/B will round to a 90%/A). The final grades will be determined as follows:
A = 100% - 90%
B = 89% - 80%
C = 79% - 70% STUDENTS MUST EARN 70% OR HIGHER TO PASS
D = 69% - 60%
F = 59% and below
The categories of assignments for this course are as follows:
Assignment Percentage
Participation 10%
Quizzes 20%
Discussion Forum 20%
Critical Thinking Paper 20%
Code of Ethics Critique 10%
Final Exam 20%
100%
ASSIGNMENTS:
Pre-Survey: 5 Extra points
Please complete this short survey for 5 Extra points. Every student must complete the Pre-Survey the first week of class. After completing the survey, you MUST complete the following form to receive your five extra points in the participation portion of your grade. Click here to access the Pre-Survey Completion Form.
Post-Survey: 5 Extra points
Please, complete the post-survey the week before Finals. After completing the Post-Course survey, you MUST complete the following form to receive your five extra points in the participation portion of your grade. Click here to access the Post-Survey Completion Form.
Student Survey of Instructions (SSI): 5 Extra points
The SSI must be completed in April. After completing the Student Survey of Instructions, you MUST complete the following form to receive your five extra points in the participation portion of your grade. Click here to access the Student Survey of Instruction Completion Form.
Participation: 10%
Students are expected to interact with the assigned material and other students while in class. The first step in accomplishing this goal is to attend class. Part of your participation will be calculated on your attendance. If you have an excused absence (doctor’s excuse or validated emergency), you will not be penalized for missing class. The second step in accomplishing this goal is to “be all there” while in class. This means interacting with the material and group projects while in class. Therefore you will accumulate points by attending class, interacting with the content, and contributing to a positive learning experience. On the other hand, you can lose points by missing class, misuse of electronics, side conversations, etc.
Quizzes: 20%
There will be quizzes at various points of the semester consisting of true and false, multiple choice, short answer, and matching questions. The Academic Honesty Quiz is included in the quizzes. The quizzes are open book and open notes. Quiz will be open for time periods specified in the syllabus and calendar, both are in MyCourses. No late quizzes are accepted for any reason.
Discussion Forum: 20%
Students are provided several moral issues to discuss and to also react to the posts of their classmates. First, you should provide an initial post following the instructions in each discussion forum. Second, you should respond to at least one other student’s initial post. Initial posts should comprehensively cover the forum topic. The initial post length should be a minimum 100 words (or as directed by the forum if different), however the focus should be on covering the topic well. The response to student post should take up an issue raised by the other student and provide reasons why you agree or disagree with their perspective. Inadequate response posts are those that provide no meaningful progress of the conversation or provide no further insight to the topic. No late postings are accepted for any reason.
Code of Ethics Critique and Presentation: 10%
Each student is required to develop a PowerPoint on a selected profession’s Code of Ethics and critique it. The PowerPoint MUST cover the following five areas: 1). Explain how the Code is organized. 2). Critique the Code by identifying what you like and dislike about it. Give your opinion of the Code. 3). Identify 3-5 principles/statements in the Code and explain each one in your own words. 4). How is the Code monitored and enforced? 5). What is the ethical level of the Code? (Basic, Currently Attainable, Practical and Theoretical). Each student will present their PowerPoint in class. We will discuss this assignment in more detail when we cover Chapter 18. Late submissions are accepted but will be reduced to a 75%/C prior to grading.
Critical Thinking Application Paper (CTAP): 20%
You will be assigned a critical thinking case that illustrates an ethical issue. You MUST use the case that is assigned. Anyone who uses a different case will receive a zero on the CTAP. This paper must meet a 2,000 word Gordon Rule requirement. Your paper must be typed, double-spaced, 12 pt. font, and formatted according to MLA standards. The assignment will be passed out when we complete Chapter 7, and will be due two to three weeks from the distribution date. The paper must be submitted as an attachment into the drop box in MyCourses. Late submissions are accepted but will be reduced to a 75%/C prior to grading.
Final Exam: 20%
There will be a cumulative online final examination consisting of multiple-choice, short answer, and matching questions.
STUDENTS’ EXPECTATIONS AND INSTRUCTOR’S EXPECTATIONS
This course may involve thinking about and discussing some controversial topics. As such, the rules of this course aim to facilitate learning the course material, generate an atmosphere of respect for peers, and make a good forum for discussing arguments. I expect you to observe these rules at all times, including in any online communication (if applicable). I will also honor these rules as your instructor.
Rule #1: Turn off ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES when entering the classroom, and leave them off until class is finished. This includes phones, laptops, and tablets, unless you require special accommodations documented by the Office of Student Services.
Rule #2: Treat your classmates with respect. Insulting, shouting at, or otherwise disrespecting your classmates is intolerable. If you mistreat a classmate, I will ask you to leave the classroom and pursue further discipline. Many of us have divergent viewpoints on a range of issues, and as this is a class on ethics, each person should feel safe to express and defend his or her position. Additionally, offline conversations are a way of disrespecting the class. Continued talking to another student during lecture times or while other classmates are contributing to the content discussed should be avoided.
Rule #3: Arrive on time. If you are late, please enter the room quietly.
Rule #4: Expectation of Academic Honesty. To put it plainly, this is an ethics course and cheating of any kind cannot be tolerated; i.e., cheating of any kind will result in a grade of "F" for the course. It is your responsibility to be familiar with SPC's policies, rules, and the consequences of violations. A link to the college policy can be found at the following link:
http://www.spcollege.edu/webcentral/catalog/current/stu_affairs_honesty.htm
STUDENT SURVEY OF INSTRUCTION:
The student survey of instruction is administered in courses each semester. It is designed to improve the quality of instruction at St. Petersburg College. All student responses are confidential and anonymous and will be used solely for the purpose of performance improvement. If you complete this SSI, you get 5 Extra points in the participation portion of your grade. However, you MUST you must complete the following form before the 5 extra points are posted in the participation category of the gradebook. Click here to access the SSI completion form.
Use of Tobacco products in the classroom:
SPC has a policy on smoking products that can be found here. The policy states that, “In compliance with the “Florida Clean Indoor Air Act,” which mandates the protection of the public health, comfort, and environment by providing public places that are reasonably free from tobacco smoke, the smoking of tobacco or any other substance is not permitted on college property except outdoors or in designated smoking areas identified by posted signs.” Additionally no tobacco products (smokeless tobacco) outside of this policy are permitted in the classroom.
SIGNATURE PAGE:
I have read, understand, and agree to abide fully by the parameters set in this syllabus and Syllabus Addendum.
Student Signature: Date:
CALENDAR
1 / Syllabus
Chapter 1: Introduction
Pre-Survey (5 Extra Points)
/ Complete the assignments below by the due dates:
-Pre-Survey: 5 Extra Points
-Chapter 1 Discussion Forum
-Academic Honesty Quiz
Due Date: January 17, 2016
2 / Chapter 2: The Ethics Environment / -Chapter 2 Quiz
-Chapter 2 Discussion Forum
Due Date: January 24, 2016
3 / Chapter 3: Dimensions of Moral Development
/ -Chapter 3 Discussion Forum
-Chapter 3 Quiz
Due Date: January 31, 2016
4 / Chapter 4: Critical Thinking / -Chapter 4 Discussion Forum
-Chapter 4 Quiz
Due Date: February 7, 2016
5 / Chapter 5: Consequential Ethical Theories / -Chapter 5 Discussion Forum
-Chapter 5 Quiz
Due Date: February 14, 2016
6 / Chapter 6: Nonconsequential Ethical Theories, Part 1 / -Chapter 6 Discussion Forum
-Chapter 6 Quiz
Due Date: February 21, 2016
7 / Chapter 7: Nonconsequential Ethical Theories, Part 2
Assign Critical Thinking Application Paper / -Chapter 7 Discussion Forum
-Chapter 7 Quiz
Due Date: February 28, 2016
8 / Chapter 9: Economic Justice / -Chapter 9 Discussion Forum
-Chapter 9 Quiz
Due Date: March 6, 2016
9 / Spring Break, March 6-13
10 / Chapter 13: Human Rights / -Chapter 13 Discussion Forum
-Chapter 13 Quiz
Due Date: March 20, 2016
11 / Critical Thinking Application Paper (CTAP) / -CTAP
Due Date: March 27, 2016
12 / Chapter 16: Professional Ethics / -Chapter 16 Discussion Forum
-Chapter 16 Quiz
Due Date: April 3, 2016
13 / Chapter 18: Code of Ethics and Students’ Presentations / -Chapter 18 Quiz
-Code of Ethics PowerPoint Critique
Due Date: April 10, 2016
14 / Chapter 19: The Employment Relationship: Rights, responsibilities, and respect
Student Survey of Instructions (5 Extra Points) / -Chapter 19 Discussion Forum
-Chapter 19 Quiz
-Student Survey of Instructions (SSI)
Due Date: April 17, 2016
15 / Chapter 22: Government Ethics
Post-Survey (5 Extra Points) / -Chapter 22 Discussion Forum
-Post/Exit Survey
Due Date: April 24, 2016
16 / Final Exam in MyCourses
Chapter 23 Ethics in Public Safety Professions / -Final Exam opens Monday, April 25 to Sunday, May 1st no later than 11:30pm
Due Date: May 1, 2016
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