Fall 2016

7-9:50 Thursday

Philo 002
Ethics in Contemporary Society
Section: 0091
Overview
Prerequisite: Eligibility for or completion of ENGL 100
An introduction to ethics that focuses on classical ethical theories and their application to selected
contemporary ethical issues such as environmental protection, reproductive rights, genetic
engineering, and affirmative action. This course meets the General Education requirement for
Ethical Inquiry.
Units: 3 Units
Transfer: UC, CSU Gen. Ed. Area C2, IGETC Area 3B

Goals
1.
2.
3.

Instructor: Jennifer Smith

E-Mail: jsmith@losmedanos.edu
Website: philosophyclass.weebly.com
Office: TBA
Office Hours: 6:30 7pm

Required Materials
Reflecting on Nature: Readings in
Environmental Ethics and Philosophy.
Second Edition. Lori Gruen, Dale
Jamieson, and Christopher Schlottmann.
ISBN: 9780199782437

Important Dates
August 12, 2016

An appreciation of what is involved in articulating and defending a theory of

environmental ethics.
An understanding of the variety of theories that environmental ethicists have defended
and the ways they have sought to justify them.
An improved ability to articulate and defend your own views about environmental
ethics and constructively criticize those of others.

Fall Classes Begin

September 3 and 5, 2016
Labor Day Holiday
September 23, 2016

Requirements

Religion and Nature Exam: 15%

Ethical Theories Exam: 20%
Animal Rights and Wilderness Ethics Exam: 15%
Application of theories Paper: 20%
Group Project: 20%
Participation and Homework: 10%

Native American Holiday

November 11, 2016
Veterans Day Holiday
November 24-26, 2016
Veterans Day Holiday
December 16, 2016
Fall Classes End

Late Work and Makeup Exams:

I do not accept late papers or give makeup exams. You will be informed in class well in
advance of each deadline and exam date and I will remind you frequently. Should you
miss class, it is your responsibility to find out what was missed and know when things
are due.

Ethics in Contemporary Society

Section: 0091

Class Policies:
PLAGIARISM: Plagiarism and cheating is representing someone elses words, ideas, artistry, or data as ones own, including copying another
persons work (including published and unpublished material, and material from the Internet) without appropriate referencing, presenting
someone elses opinions and theories as ones own, or working jointly on a project, then submitting it as ones own... If a student is caught
cheating or plagiarizing on any assignment, that student will be in violation of the Contra Costa Community College Districts Student Code of
Conduct.
Students shall conduct themselves consistent with the Student Code of Conduct while on campus or participating off campus at a college
sponsored event, including but not limited to international study programs. Students shall be suspended or expelled only for good cause
(source LMC Student Handbook).
CELL PHONES & LAPTOPS: unless the phone call is from me, I ask you to turn off your cell phones before entering class. No texting, no
emailing, no surfing, no movies, no music while in class. It's rude to me, it's rude to others, and it's usually obvious to everyone around you,
including me. No laptop use while in class, unless you sit in the front row.
EATING: you may eat in class if your food intake is minimal. Please do not bring noisy food to class.
OFFICE HOURS: If you are having difficulties in the course, come speak with me as soon as possible! I am also happy to arrange another
time, or help via email.
ATTENDANCE: I reserve the right to drop students who have not attended for 3 consecutive class sessions as measured by HW and in-class
exercises.
STUDENT DISABILITIES: I will make every effort to work with students with disabilities. If you have a learning or other disability you
should let me know and as well sign up with the LMC Disability Services Center if you have not already done so. Disability Services will assist
students with disabilities in participating in college activities, securing financial aid, scheduling classes and examinations, and planning careers.
CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE: Do not come to class late. Do not leave early. (Unless prior understanding has been made)
TUTORS: Tutors are available to help students with their papers. Students will not be allowed to rewrite papers after they have been graded,
so you are urged to consult with the tutor before you submit your final draft. If you wish to see a tutor, make an appointment at the Reading
and Writing Center located on the third floor of the Core (x3176). Tutors notify Phil 2 faculty every time they work with the student.

Schedule:
What follows is a tentative schedule, subject to revision over the course of the term. There is a 0% chance that well do exactly this, in exactly
this order.

Ethics in Contemporary Society

Section: 0091

Classroom Topic:
Intro to Class
Review Syllabus

Reading Due that Day:

August 18

August 25

Religion and Ethics

(Class Website) Euthyphro: Read and Print

September 1

Intrinsic and Extrinsic Value

What is Nature/Natural?

(Class Website) Instrumental Value

(Class Website) Intrinsic Value
John Stuart Mill: [From] Principles of Political Economy: With Some of their
Applications to Social Philosophy AND [From] On Nature

Intro to Environmental Ethics

Future Generations

(Class Website) Jamieson, 2008: Chapter 1

(Class Website) Future Generations

September 8

September 15

Religion and Nature Exam

September 22

Anthropocentric Ethics

(Class Website) Anthropocentricism

Richard Routley: Is there a need for a new, an Environmental Ethic?
Steven Jay Gould: [From] The Golden Rule A proper scale of our
Environmental Crisis

September 29

Bio-centric Ethics

(Class Website) Paul Taylor: The Ethics of Respect for Nature

Paul W Taylor: [From] Respect for Nature: A Theory of Environmental Ethics

October 6

Eco-centric Ethics

(Class Website) Aldo Leopold: The Land Ethic

J. Baird Callicott: [From] Beyond the Land Ethic

October 13

Deep Ecology

(Class Website) Arne Naess: The Deep Ecological Movement

October 20

Ethical Theories Exam

October 27

Intro to Animal Rights

Peter Singer: All Animals are Equal

(Class Website) Carl Cohen: The Moral Inequality of Species

November 3

Animal Rights Continued

(Class Website) Tom Regan: Animal Rights, Human Wrongs

(Class Website) Mary Anne Warren: A critique of Regans Animal Rights
Theory

November 10

Wilderness Ethics

Jack Turner, from The Abstract Wild

William Cronon, "The Trouble with Wilderness; or, Getting Back to the
Wrong Nature"

November 17

Wilderness Ethics Continued

Create groups

November 24

No Class - Thanksgiving

December 1

Time for groups to meet/

Animal Rights and Wilderness Ethics
Exam

December 8

Time for groups to meet

December 15

Group Presentations

Ethics in Contemporary Society

Section: 0091