ETHICS/Service Learning (0122-400-07)
SPRING 2002
Class: T/Th 11:10a-12:25p, LM 268
Office: Campion D6 (right by the Philosophy Department)
Office Hours: Th 1:30-3p
Office Phone: 422-6424 (422-6543 for the department)
Email: arisaka@usfca.edu
The class is finished. No class for May 7 and 9. Please turn
in your two papers (Service Learning report/journal and the Final Position
Paper) by May 16. If you would like to see me during the finals week
(Mon May 13-Thurs May 16), there is a sign-up sheet on my door (for another
class) and you can just sign in, or give me a message and I'll see what
times are available.
Check out these sites which may be relevant:
Texas
Researchers Clone a Pet Cat
Artificial
Womb Developed
Genetically
Altered Babies Born
Humans
to be cloned by 2003
What do you think? Transgenic
Art and the real rabbit that "glows in the dark"
Biological
computer using leech neurons
Neurocomputers?
(microprocessors with living brain tissue)
Using monkey brain to move a robotic
arm (NY Times article)
A short article (IHT) on nanotechnology
The Dangers of
New Technology, by Bill Joy (IHT)
The Robot Revolution
Is On the Way (IHT)
The Computer
That Writes Music
Ray Kurzweil's
Page
Syllabus
Course Description:
This course is designed as a Service Learning Course (see below).
It also fulfills Area H1 of the GEC requirement (Philosophy and Theology).
The course investigates a wide range of ethical theories and contemporary
ethical debates—euthanasia, equality and discrimination, social obligation
of the care for the sick and the homeless, genetic engineering, and global
issues such as war and hunger debates. We will examine both classical
and contemporary writings of ethical philosophers from various backgrounds.
Service Learning:
Ethics is not simply a question of theories. Ethics, as it is involved
in our lives, is a part of our everyday, living concern as human beings
dealing with other human beings. Therefore, it is essential that
all the theories learned in this class are connected to real-life experiences.
This is an essential aspect of learning, as ethical individuals who can
deal with real-life issues at hand in a responsible and informed manner.
In order to achieve this goal, in addition to the in-class readings and
discussions, in this course the students are required to volunteer or intern
at various agencies in the city. The requirement for the course,
per student, is 10 hours of community work and keep a journal which reflects
your understanding of how the theories are related to real-life ethical
dilemmas and debates.
The students may volunteer at any of the selected agencies—a partial
list is attached to this syllabus, so please take a look. The Office
of Community Service and Service Learning will also help us in selecting
various community-work opportunities throughout the semester. In
the first four weeks of the semester, we will set up a schedule for each
of you (you can begin early if you already have a place you volunteer,
etc). If you wish to work at more than one agency, that will be fine.
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the semester, a student should be able to:
1. Distinguish various ethical theories and identify their main features.
2. Analyze a practical situation in terms of these theories.
3. Apply theoretical knowledge to real-life scenarios for evaluation.
4. Develop appreciation for “ethics in real life,” by participating
in community service
5. Cultivate a living sense of social justice by participating in community
service
Text:
Ethics by Barbara MacKinnon (Wadsworth)
Additional reading material will be distributed.
Course Requirements and Grading:
1. Service Learning Work and Journal (30%): As mentioned above,
you are expected to do 10-hours of community work outside the classroom
for this semester. (IF this is absolutely difficult for you, for
various reasons such as your regular work or family obligations, please
let me know—perhaps there is a way to combine your current work/family
and this requirement.) You will keep a journal of every participation.
Your journal will contain factual information about what you did, where,
and when, as well as your personal reflections and how you see your work
has captured some of the theoretical points discussed in class.
2. Mid-Semester Exam on the Theories (20%): This will be
a take-home exam on various questions about ethical theories. A study-guide
will be provided.
3. Group Presentation on the Service Work (15%): At the
end of the semester, you will present your community-work experiences to
the class, together with others who worked at the same service. It
will contain your personal reflections, ethical theories which are relevant,
and how the experience has enhanced (or not enhanced) your learning of
ethics.
4. Final Position Paper (25%): Based on both the in-class
discussions and your service work, you will develop a final paper, defending
a particular ethical position, on a particular issue. There will
be a handout on the details after the 10th week of the course.
5. Class Participation (10%): There will be much
in-class debates on various positions. Be prepared to articulate
and defend your position.
Course Schedule:
Week 1: Introduction. What is Ethics? On Service Learning.
Chapter 1: Ethical Reasoning. On the Ethics of Care (Chapter 7)
Theories:
Week 2: Chapters 2, and 3: Ethical Relativism and Egoism
Week 3: Chapter 4: Utilitarianism
Week 4: Chapter 5: Kant’s Moral Theory
Week 5: Chapter 6: Natural Law Theory and Virtue Ethics
Community Service Work begins. Begin your journal.
Week 6: Confucianism and the Family (handout)
Midterm on Theories will be handed out.
Contemporary Issues:
Week 7: Chapter 8: Euthanasia
Midterm Due
Week 8: Chapter 11: Equality and Discrimination (also handouts)
Week 9: Equality and Discrimination continued
Week 10: Spring Break
Week 11: Society and Obligation: Homelessness, Hunger Issues, and Care
for the Elderly (Chapter 12, also handouts)
Week 12: Above Issues Continued
Week 13: Chapter 16: Violence, Terrorism, and War
Week 14: Genetic Engineering: Human Cloning? (Handouts)
Week 15: Technology and Our Future: Other Ethical Dimensions (Handouts,
Chapter 17)
Week 16: Group Presentations
Journal Due
Final Position Paper Due: Thursday, May 16, 4pm.
Policy on Class Attendance, Make-up, Service Learning Attendance:
You are expected to attend every class. I will accept valid excuses
(such as illness, and other events completely out of your control).
It is your responsibility to contact me if you must miss class. If
you miss part of the 10-hour service work requirement, a percentage will
be taken out from that portion of the grade. (In other words, if
you do not do any community work, you will miss the entire 30% of your
grade, which will at best be a C+.)
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