PL 202 Introduction to the Study of Ethics
William Soderberg, Professor
Montgomery College-Rockville
Professor’s office: Rm 518 MT (Macklin Tower); mailbox in Rm 429 MT
Telephone: 240-567-7428
E-mail: bill.soderberg@montgomerycollege.edu
   Website: www.montgomerycollege.edu/~bsoderbe

TEXTBOOKS:

William Soderberg, The Game of Philosophy (Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 2000). Abbreviated GP in reading schedule.

Larry May, Shari Collins-Chobanian, Kai Wong, editors, Applied Ethics: A Multicultural Approach, Third Edition, (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2002). Abbreviated AE in reading schedule.

SUPPLIES: one pack of 3x5 cards

Over the years, I have increasingly become aware of people’s efforts to "level the playing field" and create harmonious communities. People make such efforts at various levels of community—couples that form a community of two, families of various sorts, religious communities, civic organizations, academic communities, political communities (local, state, national, and international), and various groups that share common goals or lifestyles.

The main goals of this ethics course will be to become familiar with various efforts to create a fair society. We will try to see how morality, like music, is played in various keys. We will study different moral traditions with the goal of grasping the coherence or internal harmony of major traditions. We will then try to account for the incompatibility or disharmony between different traditions.

The ethical traditions we study will be presented as ethical theories. In the course of the semester, we will try to understand why each theory has an internal harmony, but also why each theory is written in a key so different from other theories that disharmony is the result when people try, as it were, to play in both keys at the same time.

I will ask you to analyze various moral positions using different theories. We will work together in discussions, assignments, two papers, and regular exams to come to an appreciation of the harmony within specific theories but the incompatibility of each theory with other theories.

For the discussions, read in advance the material assigned for each class period. Come to class prepared with your response to the Question for Discussion posted for each class period. 

For the assignments, write out one question or comment on the readings, the discussion questions, or the lecture material for the week. Each assignment should be written on a 3x5 card and handed in the course of each week. I will ask for a total of 15 written questions or comments during the semester, and I will select some of these questions and recommendations for inclusion on my website.

The papers and the exams will constitute 80% of the grade. Class participation, which includes class attendance and group discussion, will constitute the remaining 20% of the grade. The weekly assignments, written on 3x5 cards, will be considered part of group discussion.

Excessive absences will have an effect on the grade received in the course. Four absences will be considered excessive. 

If for any reason you decide to drop the course, you must sign the drop form and leave the form with the records office.

The College makes available various support services. Tutorial centers for writing and math are available at no additional cost, and computer labs are also available.

Electronic devices (cell phones, and so forth) may not be used in class. Only students who have authorization from Disability Support Services may use computers during class.

A student who may need an accommodation due to a disability should make an appointment to see me in my office. A letter from Disability Support Services (DSS) authorizing your accommodations will be needed. The DSS office is located in Room 122 of the Counseling and Advising Building (CB) and may be called on telephone numbers (240)-567-5058 and (240)-567-9672 (for the hearing impaired).

To avoid class disruption, students are expected to be on time for class and to remain until the class period is over. If you must leave the classroom during the class period, you are expected to discuss the matter with the instructor before the class or, in an emergency, ask the instructor’s permission.

Students who audit the class will be required to read the material assigned on the reading schedule and participate in class discussions.

Academic dishonesty, plagiarism, and classroom misconduct are governed by College policy. Please consult the sections in the student handbook "Academic Dishonesty and Misconduct" and "Classroom Behavior" for the College policies. In the event that classes are cancelled due to weather or other emergencies, the student should complete the work assigned on the reading schedule.