Content

Department of Philosophy   Northern Illinois University

Course Offerings: Spring 2008

PHILOSOPHY 231: CONTEMPORARY MORAL ISSUES

MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY
SECTION 1, 9:00 - 9:50 A.M.
SECTION 2, 10:00 - 10:50 A.M.
SECTION 5, 1:00 - 1:50 P.M.
SECTION 6, 2:00 - 2:50 P.M.

INSTRUCTOR: TINA FENDER GIBSON

REQUIRED TEXT
Barbara MacKinnon, Ethics: Theory and Contemporary Issues, 5th Edition

COURSE CONTENT
Ethics is the branch of philosophy that is concerned with how we ought to act--that is, in determining what is right and what is wrong. Consequently, it is the branch of philosophy with the most direct application to our daily lives. Since most of us wish to be good, moral people, we search for answers about what being moral means and what guidelines we should follow to determine when we are acting morally or immorally. In this class, we will not focus on opinions about morality but on arguments for positions, using reason as a tool in order to evaluate arguments. We will clarify the issues that are at stake and to discover the strengths and weaknesses in popular positions on some of today's most relevant moral debates. The hope is that you will, as a result, develop your own views of morality by learning from the arguments of others.

COURSE FORMAT
Paper #1 (20%)
Midterm Exam: (20%)
Paper #2 (25%)
Final Exam (20%)
Quizzes (15%)