Course Description:

In this course we will consider several controversial issues affecting both public policy and individual conduct (e.g. abortion, discrimination, the environment, etc.).  We will read essays largely from professional philosophers, taking positions on what a proper solution to these problems ought to be.  We shall pay particular attention to analyzing and evaluating the arguments put forward with a goal of better understanding what is at issue in the various problems we will consider.

Grades, Exams and Notes:

-- The graded work for the course will consist two in class essay exams (one at mid-term and one as an a final) and one 6-8 page typewritten essay on a topic to be assigned. Each piece of work will be equally graded.
-- Students are expected to attend regularly and to be prepared by reading the assignments in advance.
-- Arrangements will be made for late papers and exam make-ups only on the basis of a weighty excuse (typically medical).  Students should request special arrangements before the deadlines whenever possible.

Required Texts: Contemporary Moral Problems, ed. by James E.White (7th edition)

CALENDAR

ETHICAL THEORIES

1/11-1/13 Rachels (9-16)
1/18-1/20 Mill (34-41), Rachels (41-48) & Kant (49-55)
1/25-1/27 Feinberg (64-72), Dworkin (72-79) & Rawls (79-86)

ABORTION AND EUTHANASIA

 2/1-2/3 U.S. Supreme Court (106-116), Thomson (121-131) & Warren (144-156)
2/8-2/10 Marquis (156-168) & Rachels (188-193)
2/15-2/17 EXAM (2/15) Steinbock (193-199) & Foot (199-206)

ANIMALS

2/22-2/24 Kant (471-472), Singer (472-481) & Regan (481-490)
3/1-3/3 Machan (490-496) & Rachels (496-506)

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

3/8-3/10 U.S. Supreme Court (243-254), Kant (254-256) & Pojman (256-265)
3/15-3/17 Reiman (265-270) & Amsterdam (270-280)

3/22-3/24   SPRING BREAK

SEX and MARRIAGE

3/29-3/31 The Vatican (290-296) & Goldman (296-308)
4/5-4/9 PAPER DUE (4/5) Corvino (308-319) & Bradshaw (319-329)
4/12-4/14 Knight (329-340) & Rauch (340-349)

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

4/19-4/21 Pojman (420-439) & Mosley (439-445)

Final exam: Tues. 4/26 @ 9:30