Students will apply moral theories to write a that answers the question of whether we should help people who
are suffering from hunger and poverty in the world.
PHI 2302, Contemporary Ethics
Course Syllabus
Course Description
Examines ethical theory in application and consideration of contemporary issues.
Course Textbook(s)
Timmons, M. (2019). Disputed moral issues: A reader (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.
https://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780190930547R180
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Explain moral argument and theory.
2. Discuss contemporary moral issues.
3. Compare and contrast opposing views on contemporary moral issues.
4. Apply ethical theories/framework to contemporary moral issues.
5. Apply critical thinking skills by developing moral arguments.
Prerequisite(s)
No prerequisite courses are required for enrollment in this course.
Credits
Upon completion of this course, the students will earn 3.00 hours of college credit.
CSU Online Library
The CSU Library contains resources chosen to support the programs of study at Columbia Southern University. Library
resources can be accessed at any time through the library website. You may be prompted to log in with your CSU account
information to access library content. The library includes databases, journals, e-books, and research guides, which are
always accessible through the library webpage.
The CSU Library is staffed by professional librarians ready to help during each step of the research process. The three main
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avenues of library support are chat, email [email protected], and phone (1.877.268.8046). Chat is available 24
hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. Email and phone assistance are available Central Standard Time (CST)
Monday – Thursday from 8 AM to 7 PM and Friday from 8 AM to 6 PM. Students can also request a virtual research
appointment. Live orientation sessions are held every Friday at 2 PM CST and can be requested on-demand. Live
instructional webinars are offered monthly on a variety of research topics. Our current webinar schedule is available so you
can plan to attend a future session.
LibGuides
Think of a LibGuide (a Library Guide) as a mini-website to help you with your assignments. It has relevant information such
as databases, e-books, and websites specific to your courses. If you have any questions, please reach out to your friendly
library staff.
Click here for the LibGuide for this course.
Unit Assignments
Unit III Scholarly Activity
Analysis of Unit Readings
Students will create a 3-page analysis of two opposing articles on euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide to define the
issue.
To effectively address an ethical problem, we have to fully understand it. After all, we don’t have much chance of making
good choices if we don’t understand the issue. Did you know defining an issue means describing both sides before sharing
your point of view about either side? Defining both sides can be tricky because it requires being objective even when you do
not agree. Can you do it? Can you define both sides without sharing how you feel about physician assisted suicide and
euthanasia? Physician assisted suicide and euthanasia are two highly emotionally charged subjects, which makes this
exercise all the more difficult.
Demonstrate your mastery of defining the issue by completing the Unit III Analysis of Unit Resources template.
Use the template to complete the assignment. Follow the directions in the template to complete the assignment. Be sure to
dedicate some detail to comparing and contrasting both articles. Take some time to reflect on the importance of doing so,
as well.
The completed assignment should be three pages in length. No sources will be required for this assignment.
Once you have completed your assignment upload it into Blackboard.
Unit IV Journal
Part I: Do you find it difficult to understand those who think differently from you about protecting the environment? Review the
following list of barriers:
bias
group influence
ego
emotion
What barriers make it difficult to consider the side you disagree with on this issue? Identify at least two barriers form the list.
Explain your choices and give examples to support your answer.
Part II: Did you know the first formal step in solving problems is defining both sides of the issue BEFORE drawing a
conclusion? Reflect on whether you do or do not always do this. Explain how considering both sides of an issue can help
you make better ethical decisions. Give an example to illustrate your explanation.
Your journal entry must be at least 400 words (200 for each part) in length. No references or citations are necessary.
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Unit VII Assignment
Hands-on Ethics Essay
Students will apply moral theories to write a 4-page essay that answers the question of whether we should help people who
are suffering from hunger and poverty in the world.
Demonstrate your mastery of the lessons covered in this course by completing a hands-on ethics essay. Make sure, when
discussing your position, to consider weaknesses carefully, as we have made a point to do throughout the course. Should
we help others in the world who are suffering from hunger and poverty? Complete this assignment to guide your answer.
Directions–Complete your essay by addressing the following:
1. In the first paragraph, briefly describe the problem of hunger and poverty in the world. In the same paragraph, answer
the following question: should we help others who are suffering from hunger and poverty? State your answer to the
question. This is the introduction for your paper. Note: your answer is the thesis statement for your paper and must
take a clear side.
2. In the second paragraph, identify and define the moral theories from Units I and II being used for your argument in at
least one, separate body paragraph before your reasons why or premises.
3. In at least three body paragraphs, provide at least three reasons why we should or should not help others suffering in
the world. Note: your reasons why should apply the ideas of the moral theories defined in point 2 (i.e. we should help
because it benefits the majority (result ethics or consequentialism), we should help because humans deserve help
and it is the right thing to do (deontology), we should help because we are a global community (care ethics), etc.)
4. Identify weaknesses in your argument in at least one body paragraph after your premises or reasons why. What are
the weaknesses of the moral theory or theories when applied to this topic? Has evidence for both sides been fully
considered?
5. In the final paragraph, review the points that support your answer. This is the conclusion for your paper.
Your completed essay must be a minimum of four pages. Title and reference pages do not count toward total page
requirement.
You must use and cite at least two sources; one source should come from the CSU Online Library. To locate an
appropriate CSU Online Library source, refer to this library research guide for Critical Thinking.
Additionally, this video tutorial on Developing Keywords for Database Searches can assist you in your library searches; as
well as Finding Articles: A Quick Start Guide.
Adhere to APA Style when constructing this assignment, including a title page, reference page, and in-text citations and
references for all sources that are used.
This Essay Writing Quick Tips document from the Success Center helps to explain setting up an essay.
Once you have completed your assignment, submit it to Blackboard.
Unit VIII Journal
As we have learned by examining various contemporary issues, ethics are a mix of opinion and fact. Where you fall on a
topic is of course, up to you (opinion). Whether, for example, a belief is consistent depends on the definition of consistency
(fact or critical thinking element). When dealing with an ethical problem, the idea is to use both to arrive at the best
conclusion to determine the best course of action. Keeping this information in mind, please fully address parts I & II below to
complete the final journal for this class.
Part I: As you know, humans can never be 100% unbiased. Does this mean criminals sentenced to death by a jury or judge
do not get a fair trial? Explain your answer.
Part II: Can you put a price on human life? Is it consistent to believe life is priceless and condone capital punishment at the
same time? Explain your answers.
Your journal entry must be at least 400 words (200 words for each part) in length. No references or citations are necessary.
APA Guidelines
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The application of the APA writing style shall be practical, functional, and appropriate to each academic level, with the
primary purpose being the documentation (citation) of sources. CSU requires that students use APA style for certain papers
and projects. Students should always carefully read and follow assignment directions and review the associated grading
rubric when available. The CSU Citation Guide includes examples and sample papers and provides information on how to
contact the CSU Writing Center.
Grading Rubrics
This course utilizes analytic grading rubrics as tools for your professor in assigning grades for all learning activities. Each
rubric serves as a guide that communicates the expectations of the learning activity and describes the criteria for each level
of achievement. In addition, a rubric is a reference tool that lists evaluation criteria and can help you organize your efforts to
meet the requirements of that learning activity. It is imperative for you to familiarize yourself with these rubrics because
these are the primary tools your professor uses for assessing learning activities.
Rubric categories include (1) Discussion Board, (2) Assessment (Written Response), and (3) Assignment. However, it is
possible that not all of the listed rubric types will be used in a single course (e.g., some courses may not have
Assessments).
The Assessment (Written Response) rubric can be found embedded in a link within the directions for each Unit
Assessment. However, these rubrics will only be used when written-response questions appear within the Assessment.
Each Assignment type (e.g., article critique, case study, research paper) will have its own rubric. The Assignment rubrics
are built into Blackboard, allowing students to review them prior to beginning the Assignment and again once the
Assignment has been scored. This rubric can be accessed via the Assignment link located within the unit where it is to be
submitted. Students may also access the rubric through the course menu by selecting “Tools” and then “My Grades.”
Again, it is vitally important for you to become familiar with these rubrics because their application to your
Discussion Boards, Assessments, and Assignments is the method by which your instructor assigns all grades.
Schedule/Grading
The following pages contain a printable Course Schedule to assist you through this course. By following this schedule, you
will be assured that you will complete the course within the time allotted.
Unit I
What is a Moral Theory? Utilitarianism, Natural Law Theory, and Kantian Moral
Theory
Read/View:
Unit I Study Guide
Chapter 1: A Moral Theory Primer, pp. 1–18
Discuss:
Unit I Discussion Board
Unit II
What is a Moral Theory? Why Study Ethics?
Read/View:
Unit II Study Guide
Chapter 1: A Moral Theory Primer, pp. 19–34
Submit:
Unit II Live Lecture
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Unit III
Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide: Do I Get the Choice to Die?
Read/View:
Unit III Study Guide
Chapter 8: Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide, pp. 362–372, 378–400
Submit:
Unit III Scholarly Activity
Unit IV
Environmental Ethics: Consumption and Climate Change: Do I Have an Obligation to
the Planet?
Read/View:
Unit IV Study Guide
Chapter 15: The Environment, Consumption, and Climate Change, pp. 722–728, 754–783
Submit:
Unit IV Journal
Unit V
War, Terrorism, and Torture: Can Terrorism or Torture be Justified?
Read/View:
Unit V Study Guide
Chapter 12: War, Terrorism, and Torture, pp. 559–567, 579–586, 598–609
Discuss:
Unit V Discussion Board
Unit VI
Artificial Intelligence: A New Frontier or Ethical Obligation?
Read/View:
Unit VI Study Guide
Unit Resources (3 articles, 1 website): See Study Guide
Submit:
Unit VI Live Lecture
Unit VII
Economic Justice: Do I Have a Moral Obligation to Help Those Suffering Globally?
Read/View:
Unit VII Study Guide
Chapter 13: Economic Justice, pp. 624–655
Submit:
Unit VII Assignment
Unit VIII
Death Penalty: An Eye for an Eye?
Read/View:
Unit VIII Study Guide
Chapter 11: The Death Penalty, pp. 527–543, 548–556
Unit Resource (1 article): See Study Guide
Submit:
Unit VIII Journal
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