GLOBAL ETHICS  

Professor: Eva Maria Räpple

Office: M 123 c / Tel. 630 942 3983

Web site: http://www.cod.edu/people/faculty/raepple/index.htm

Southerfried. Justicia. morgue file.08/02/07. http://morguefile.com/archive/?display=93433

How should one to live as a human being among fellow human beings? This central question of the study of ethics becomes considerably more complex if asked in a global context. In the multifaceted global environment, theoretical reflection and analysis need to be drawn from a variety of disciplines to address justice and injustice beyond national, ethnic or religious boundaries. To determine what values and principles are most appropriate to support the claims to right action has occupied the minds of human beings throughout the centuries. Whether a certain basis for moral decision-making or theory is more appropriate than another one requires our ability to analyze diverse approaches to ethical questions, investigate their complex contexts, and begin to critically assess those. Ultimately, such a discourse should enable everyone to argue convincingly for a certain moral position. The goal is to critically investigate, discuss, and analyze theoretical frameworks in order to address current policy and ultimately develop the ability to responsibly deal with situations posing ethical dilemmas on a practical level.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of the course the student should be able to do the following:

• Comprehend major ways in which humankind has tried to think about and understand moral/ethical questions, issues, and problems regarding human values and actions from philosophical and religious perspectives.
• Describe the major elements, theories, and principles involved in ethics
• Describe philosophical and religious approaches to moral/ethical decision-making in a global context
• Debate some traditional and contemporary moral/ethical problems or issues using the elements of ethics to analyze them and thereby apply theory to practice
• Recognize issues of racism and sexism in current concrete manifestations in areas of concern
• Argue convincingly and responsibly for a certain moral position in a global context

Requirements

Assignments - 20% of your accumulative grade will be determined by a number of assignments. In these assignments, you will write an analysis of certain philosophical arguments and give a critical response.  Please check the instructions on Arguments and Their Evaluation (http://www.unco.edu/philosophy/arg.html) in preparation for these assignments. The assignments will enhance your ability to work on analyses, interpretations, and philosophical arguments. These assignments are written in a computer-lab during class sessions (1-2 pages; double spaced 12 point font). The grading criteria will particularly focus on clarity, creativity, and depth of presentation in your interpretation and critical analysis of your sources.

Reading Questions – Each assigned reading includes questions (see tentative reading list in Blackboard).You will be required to answer these questions in preparation for class discussions. I will collect these readings with the mid-term and final paper. The responses must be submitted in print and cannot include your notes from class.

Mid-Term:

Students also have to submit a draft analysis (mid-term) of an ethical issue (see topics list in Blackboard).The analysis must include the following:
a)Title
b) Your analysis of the case study, addressing an ethical issue (2 pages).  This means you should provide a brief overview of the case and examine why this particular case qualifies as an ethical issue. Investigate the case as comprehensively as possible to be able to give a fair analysis. You need to consult additional resources beyond the specific case. Please write the analysis in complete sentences.
b) In order to craft an argument why human beings ought to act in a certain way, it will be necessary that you identify the value/s and principle/s that inform your own future argument. Note: The full argument will only be required for your term paper not for the mid-term. Read about ethical theory(ies)/philosophical position/s (Virtue Ethics, Deontology, Utilitarianism)  which potentially may inform/s your position and make a list (bullet points) in preparation for the term paper. Then select the most appropriate framework that seems to be applicable for arguing your case. Explain why you choose this moral framework in a short paragraph and submit it in addition to your analysis. Dedicate time to study the position/s (including some text material written by the philosopher him/herself) to gain a comprehensive understanding. Research the theoretical framework that you judge to be most applicable for your argument.
c) Submit your bibliography of all sources used, including academic resources online (use library databases), and textbook sources. Note that encyclopedias should be your first resource but should not be included in your final paper. Wikipedia should not be used as an academic resource at all.  Please use MLA style documentation. The following Web sites are very helpful tools for the documentation of your sources: Sources: Their Use and Acknowledgment http://www.dartmouth.edu/~writing/sources/ Note: the mid-term should serve as your preliminary preparation for the final paper, which will follow the same format but requires that you provide your own comprehensive argument in addition to the analysis of the case.

Project:

During the second half of the quarter, all students will be required to speak about their analysis of an issue and ethical argument in class. This discussion is meant to provide additional insights for the term paper. Students are, therefore, required to raise questions for a dialog in the class room. Be creative in your approach to present your topic in an interesting way and prepare questions that engage the students in a debate about the topic. You want to receive constructive criticism from your peers in preparation of your final paper. There will be a special discussion of the project, selection of groups and issues, including an introduction to library resources. Check Blackboard for important dates.

Final Term Paper:

For the final paper, you need to broaden your argument (3-5 pages). For your final term paper, use the project preparations yet develop these into a visionary project.
A  good paper should include the following elements:
(a)        A thesis, which clearly states your own position with regard to the issue in one or two sentences
(b)        An analysis of the issue addressed, which offers a fair representation of the issue in question (if applicable in a global context).
(c)       A reflection on the philosophical position that informs the argument
(d)       A concise argument (including at least four premises) to support your vision
(e)       A rationally compelling conclusion
(g)       Bibliography (MLA style documentation

Please use MLA style documentation. You are required to adhere to the student ethics code at COD: http://www.cod.edu/resources/studentaffairs/conduct.pdf . Please think about your choices seriously and remember, what you find as a source, your teacher can detect as well! Proven plagiarism will earn you an F for the class, possibly a meeting with the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, including a formal report and/or an appearance before a Judicial Board. n case a student will not be able to participate in the course any longer, he/she is responsible for withdrawing from the course.

The grading will particularly consider the following aspects:
a) The scope of preparation for the project (research, academic resources);
b) The complexity and structure of your argument– a good argument needs to include at least: a clearly and concisely stated: thesis (the main claim or idea of the view(s) you are explicating), premises (statements) to support your thesis, and your own evaluation of the merits or demerits of the view(s), a compelling conclusion;
c)  Consideration of the issue/project under a global perspective where applicable;
d) Reflection on a theoretical/philosophical position which informs the project (for example Kantian ethics).

Attendance – In case a class is missed, it is the student's responsibility to inform the teacher and keep up with the material. Please be on time for class. Respect for others will make this class a much more enjoyable and productive environment for, thinking, and learning. In case a student will not be able to participate in the course any longer, he/she is responsible for withdrawing from the course. I only allow for withdrawal if you have significant reasons, which were out of your control. . 

Grading Scale

Course Material:

• Michael C. Brannigan. Ethics Across Cultures. Boston: Mc Graw Hill, 2004.

The book is available in the College of DuPage bookstore. 
Academic Resources Online:

• Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 08/02/07 http://plato.stanford.edu/

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