Content

Department of Philosophy   Northern Illinois University

Course Offerings: Fall 2008

PHILOSOPHY 231: CONTEMPORARY MORAL ISSUES

MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY
SECTION 1, 8:00 - 8:50 A.M.
SECTION 2, 9:00 - 9:50 A.M.
SECTION 5, 11:00 - 11:50 A.M.
SECTION 6, 12:00 - 12:50 P.M.

INSTRUCTOR MATTHEW PAMENTAL

REQUIRED TEXTS
Timmons, Disputed Moral Issues
Weston, 21st Century Ethical Toolkit
Vaughn, Writing Philosophy

COURSE CONTENT
The course will involve students in the discussion and analysis of a number of current issues of moral importance, such as abortion, the death penalty, and animal rights. Intermingled with our discussions will be background on the various philosophical models of moral and political deliberation. The emphasis of the course will be on a) understanding and analyzing arguments, b) thorough investigation of the philosophical and empirical issues surrounding each topic, and c) composing arguments both in writing and for presentation. What the course will NOT involve is the presentation of pre-determined, final solutions to any of these vexing questions. The aim of the course is to arm the students with philosophical, as opposed to political or scientific, methods of inquiry.

COURSE FORMAT
The course will consist of a mixture of short and long writing assignments, weekly quizzes, and exams.