Philosophy 223G
Ethics
BC 108
MTuWTh 10:20-12:20
Summer 2008
Jean-Paul Vessel
jvessel@nmsu.edu
Office: Breland 324
Office Hours: Tu 12:30pm-2:00pm, and by appointment
Course Website: http://web.nmsu.edu/~jvessel/Philosophy/eth.html
Course Objectives:
What makes an act right? What makes someone’s life good? What is virtue?
What are the natures of the meanings of moral words? These are some of the questions
that we’ll consider this semester. This course provides an investigation
of ethical theory by way of a discussion of doctrines and arguments in three
(and possibly four) central areas of moral philosophy--(a) the normative ethics
of behavior (the theory of right and wrong action), (b) value theory (the theory
of good and evil), and (c) virtue/vice theory (the theory of excellence of character).
Required Texts:
Most of the required readings are in the texts entitled Introduction to
Ethics (edited by F. Feldman) and Elements of Moral Philosophy
(by J. Rachels)—available at the NMSU Bookstore (2nd Floor) in the Corbett
Center. Other readings and selected handouts will either be distributed in class
or available on the class web site.
Potential Course Readings:
Attendance:
Attendance is required. If you are not interested in attending class, then
you should drop this course and sign up for some other one. Your grade may drop
a complete level (e.g., from an “A” to a “B”) for every
three unexcused absences you compile.
Course Requirements:
Exams (85%)
Quizzes (15%)
Your scores on 3 exams will constitute 85% of your grade. The exams will be given only at the stated times, barring a legitimate academic excuse with documentation. You will be alerted of an exam date at least one week prior to that date. Your quiz scores will constitute 15% of your grade. 2-6 quizzes will be proctored throughout the semester. You will be alerted of a quiz date at least one class meeting prior to it. Quizzes will be proctored only at the stated times, barring a legitimate academic excuse with documentation. Your lowest quiz score will be dropped. Occasionally, contests will be posted on the class web site. Winners of contests will receive grade-boosting rewards.
Email:
I check my email very often. I therefore urge you to send comments, questions,
and concerns via email. I will respond promptly (within a day or so at least—I
hope). As a University student, you have access to the Internet and to an email
account. For how to acquire an account, go to http://ict.nmsu.edu
or contact ICT at 646-1840.
Plagiarism and Cheating:
Don’t do it! If you do, I will attempt to burden you with the greatest possible penalty. Find out all about plagiarism at http://lib.nmsu.edu/instruction/plagiarismforstudents.htm.
Academic Disabilities:
If you have or believe you have a disability and would benefit from any accommodations, you may wish to self-identify by contacting the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Office located in Room 244 of Corbett Center (phone: 646-6840). If you have already registered, please make sure that your instructor receives a copy of the accommodation memorandum from SSD within the first two weeks of classes. It is your responsibility to inform either your instructor or SSD representative in a timely manner if services/accommodations provided are not meeting your needs.
If you have a condition that may affect your ability to exit safely from the premises in an emergency or that may cause an emergency during class, you are encouraged to discuss any concerns with me and/or Mr. Michael Armendariz, SSD Coordinator at 646-6840. Please also feel free to call Mr. Michael Armendariz with any questions about the Americans with Disabilities Act and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. All medical information will be treated confidentially.