HU245 – Ethics Seminar 1Contact Information

Instructor Name and Credentials: Dennis Ford, MA.

Instructor Contact Information Kaplan Email Address: dford

@kaplan.edu AIM Instant Messenger Name:

dennisfordkuOffice Hours – By appointment601-733-5426 Central

Course ObjectivesInvestigate the importance of sound ethical

judgment and reasoning for responsible living. Ethics is a branch of philosophy

Rigorous, systematic approach to understanding the subject. We’ll study a number of different ethical theories and

principlesEthics also involves our values and priorities

These depend on the experiences, background, etc. No two people are exactly alike.

These differences in values, priorities, and theories can result in disagreements. How should we handle disagreements? Understand both sides of the issue Try to locate the source of the disagreement

Course Objectives – cont.Analyze significant case studies using

key ethical concepts Discuss significant ethical issues using

respectful, clear, and incisive argumentation. (This may be different from what you’re accustomed to.)

Identify, explain, and defend your own ethical perspectives on issues of significance in your own life

What the course is notThe course is not about which side of an

issue you should favor. That’s for you to decide.As a result of this course what you learn may

change your views or it may reinforce what you already believe.

Hopefully, in either case you will better understand why you think way you do.

Course Objectives—cont.Analytical Skill Building:

To what extent has your work in this course helped you to improve your critical reading, writing, and thinking skills?

Knowledge Acquisition: To what extent have you gained knowledge of important concepts, ideas, and perspectives through your study of the humanities?

Practical Application: To what extent have you learned how to connect course material to contemporary society and to your own life?

Analytical Skill BuildingCritical Reading – This applies to case studies.

Carefully read the scenario w/o reading anything “into” it. Don’t jump to conclusions. It also applies to assignment instructions.

Critical Writing – be able to concisely and accurately express your views.

Critical Thinking – Identify which theories and principles are

applicable to a scenario and apply them correctly. Understand both sides of the issue. Know why

you favor your side.

Knowledge AcquisitionEthical terms, concepts, theories, and

principles provide a systematic framework for ethical decision making.

Calling something “unethical” or “immoral” is not effective unless you give reasons for why you think so. Asking rhetorical questions is also not effective.

Stating the ethical theories and principles behind your position indicates that you have “done your homework.” This applies to every assignment.

Practical ApplicationMedical ethics, capital punishment, war,

abortion, business ethics, environmental ethics, etc.

We will study cases in these applied areas and try to understand the arguments for and against.

Note that you’re not being asked to change your views about an issue, just be able to understand both sides.

Graded AssignmentsDiscussion Posts (Week 1 through 9) – 495 ptsPosition Paragraph (Week 3) - 70 ptsLetter to Your Leader (Week 5) – 70 ptsArbitration Paper (Week 7) – 70 ptsFinal Application Project (Week 9) – 205 ptsSeminars (Weeks 1 through 9) – 45 ptsCheck Your Knowledge (Week 1 through 9) – 45

ptsTotal Points: 1000

Discussion Grade—For full points:Discussion counts for about half of your total

grade Are your responses on topic, original and

contribute to the quality of discussion?Original – don’t just copy and post a block of text

(even if you cite the source.) Summarize and paraphrase to make the content original to you.

Be sure to answer all parts of the question.

Discussion Grade – cont.Have you made frequent responses using

informed references to course material? Include source.This means use ethical terms, theories and principles in

your posts. Whenever a point is made, it needs to be backed up with an ethical theory or principle.

This really applies to every assignment. References to the textbook should be included.

Discussion Grade—Cont.

Initial response: 1 per thread, 100 word minimum. (Word count excluding quotations.)

Responses to others: 2 per thread, 50 word minimum. Needs to advance the discussion.Comments like “good post” “I didn’t know that” “I’m

learning a lot in this class” can be used, but they don’t count as advancing the discussion.

Make it presentable, proofread, use paragraphsSome weeks have two thread, others only one.

Respond to all threads.

Check Your Knowledge QuizComplete all the questions.When you click “Done,” a new tab or window

will open that displays the “Congratulations” completion certificate. (It’s a pdf file.)

Save the pdf file to your computer and upload it to the drop box.

If you have a problem with getting this to work, contact Tech Support. There may be an issue with your browser settings.

Seminar Participation grading criteria1. Your prompt arrival to the session. You should

also not plan to leave the session early; doing so may result in a lower seminar participation grade.

2. The extent to which you actively contribute ideas related to concepts being discussed.

3. The extent to which you have prepared for the session by reading Unit material and are prepared to discuss seminar topics.

4. The extent to which you do not interrupt the session with off-topic chatter.

Seminar Discussion Board GradingOption 2

1. Answers must be at least 100 words long.

2. You must explain your answers fully. 3. Answer all parts of the question

Late Policy – Highlights from the syllabus I will accept late initial response discussion posts, but the

class participation portion of the discussion grade will be deducted.

Late projects are subject to 10% deduction (one letter grade) per unit late.

If an emergency comes up, please contact me so I can work with you.

Final projects are not accepted late unless an incomplete has been granted or if some health or family emergencies occur. This is at the discretion of the instructor.

Seminar Question 1After reading the course syllabus, what

expectations of the course are still unclear to you?

Seminar Question 2What skills might you acquire by studying

ethics and participating in the learning activities of this course?