SYLLABUS OBJECTIVES: This course fills a requirement for graduation in the humanities area. It is an introduction to ethical philosophy in the Western tradition. We will review ethical theories that have been much respected and much debated in the philosophical history of the Western World, examining the strengths and weakness of each position. The course is also an excellent elective for those considering careers in political science, law, medicine, business, or education.

In this course, we will also examine the sources and assumptions for our own ethics, and we will use a variety of ethical approaches to evaluate social and political issues in our current society. The objectives are to have us become aware and appreciative of our own moral traditions, to develop critical thinking, to help us define and reinforce our own values, and to recognize the ways in which differing values affect our lives. Student success in achieving these objectives will be measured through exams, essay writing, and in class discussions and oral presentations.

These specific objectives fit within the global objectives for all Dixie State College philosophy and humanities courses, which are as follows: < Students will study the enduring creative expressions of humans that reflect our experiences, as well as our feelings and ideas about our selves, other humans, the past, and the universe. < By learning how others have asked "Big Questions" in creative ways and through seeing their answers, students will make progress in answering those same questions for themselves and in realizing the universality of the human condition.

Text: The Moral Life, 2nd ed., by Louis P. Pojman Additional readings and the PowerPoint Presentations shown in class may be found at along with our online syllabus.

PAPERS: In this course, writing will be very important. Three types of writing will determine approximately 30% of the final grade. Ø First, each time we watch a video tape or have a guest speaker, you may be asked to respond to that in writing. You will be required to analyze the moral reasoning that you see taking place and evaluate how consistent and moral it is. You will also explain how and why you disagree or agree with some of the positions presented. Ø Second, there will often be short take-home or in-class quizzes on the readings, and exams will have an essay component. Ø Finally, there will be one scholarly, research-based paper in the course. The topics will be assigned early in the course. You and several co-workers will do coordinated research on a topic during the semester. Near the end of the semester, each group will present information and guide a discussion on the assigned topic. During the semester, each of you will gather research from the text and other sources; then you will individually write a paper on the ethical issues you find most interesting related to your assigned group topic. There are some guides to resources at the end of this syllabus.

In the scholarly paper, you will be expected to practice the skills of logical reasoning with adequate support for each conclusion. The scholarly paper should demonstrate that you know the major theoretical approaches to deciding about values, rights, justice, etc., and how they apply to the issues addressed in your essay. In addition, you should express and support your own ethical views on the topic.

Structure: The scholarly paper should have 3 essential parts: ‚ first, explain the ethical issues related to the topic you have been researching; ‚ second, explain how the ethical theories (by Mill, Kant, Ross, Aristotle, etc.) we have been studying might apply as guidelines in knowing how to respond to the issues; ‚ finally, describe your own perspective on the issues you have described. Length and Style: Ø The scholarly paper should be 5-6 pages long. Ø You should use 5-10 sources Ø You must use the MLA style for source-supported essays. (See Appendix #1 for a brief guide. The paper will be judged by the content, that is, the evidence that you have researched and thought carefully about the ethical issues and principles involved with the topic. The paper will also be judged by the organization and clarity of the essay, by the correctness of the style used, and by the correctness of the diction, punctuation, grammar, etc. (Due: November 29th )

In the paper, you will also be expected to follow proper research and documentation techniques. When you use information that you have gotten from research sources, either by quoting, paraphrasing, or summarizing the data in your own words, you must document that source according to the MLA style. That includes putting parenthetical references in the paper and adding a bibliography page at the end. (See Appendix # 1.) Failure to cite your research information in the text and in a Works Cited constitutes plagiarism. Plagiarism or cheating will result in an F grade for the course. Following is the college policy on plagiarism: Academic Discipline Policy Remember, Plagiarism (using borrowed material without appropriate citations) is grounds for failing the course. The DSC catalog reads: “Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated at Dixie State College, including, but not limited to, plagiarism on written assignments, submitting other person’s work as ones own, and cheating on exams or quizzes. Instructors at Dixie State College may discipline students who are academically dishonest by: Giving a failing grade on the specific assignment where dishonesty occurred. Failing the student in the entire course. Immediately dismissing and removing the student from the course. Referring the student to student affairs committee, a committee which may reprimand, place on probation, suspend and/or expel the student.”

Plagiarism not only occurs when you use another’s words as your own; it also occurs if you copy words from a source, but neglect to put quotation marks around data that you have taken verbatim. Remember, any three words or more in sequence must be put in quotes. Avoiding plagiarism requires that you put a parenthetical citation in the text as well as having a Works Cited Page at the end. (For more explanations of plagiarism, go to the Dixie OWL , click on MLA Style Guide, click on Recognizing and Avoiding Plagiarism.)

Appendix # 1----Brief MLA Style Guide: The appropriate use of source material.

Question: When I find information that I wish to summarize or quote that explain issues or support the thesis I am developing, how can I use them without plagiarizing?

Answer: First, copy down all the publishing data from the source. That will go in a Works Cited page at the end of the paper. Each book citation should have the author, title, city, publisher, and year. Here are some examples:

(Book) (Note order:   City: Publisher, Year )

Oring, Elliott. Engaging Humor. Urbana,IL: University of Illinois Press, 2003.

(Periodical --Magazine, newspaper, etc.)

Augustine, Norman R. “Learning to Compete.” Princeton Alumni Weekly 7 Mar. 2007: 34-36. ^ Note Date format: 26 Oct. 1996

Okay, I've got that. This goes at the end of the paper, in a Works Cited. But what do I do to cite data within the text of the essay? When I quote or paraphrase from Oring, for example, don't I need a footnote, endnote, or something?

Answer: Good question. There is a very simple way to show where borrowed information is being used. It is simpler than footnotes or endnotes. First, you quote, summarize, or paraphrase the words/idea. Then, in parentheses ( ), you write the author's last name and the page of the source where the data came from.

EXAMPLE: (Oring 14). This is called parenthetical documentation. See examples below.

A) As a quote from Oring's book above (Use quotation marks to show you took them verbatim.) An American writer remarked, "To perceive humor is to perceive an oxymoron" (Oring 14).

B) As a paraphrase (Yes, even though you write an author's ideas in your own words, you still must tell us the source. Watch this carefully: it is a common error.): Jokes can’t be resolved in the way problems in science can be (Oring 14).

C) Putting the author's name directly in the text (this is a convenient way to introduce the source of your data): Elliott Oring identifies “appropriate incongruity” as the source of most humor (14).

D) Summarizing a work as a whole, which does not require you to list specific pages.: Elliott Oring’s work, Engaging Humor, challenges earlier theories about humor by Hobbes and Freud. (For more complete information, go to There you will find more information on research methods and on the MLA or APA style)