HomeMy WebLinkAboutPHR-102BCC Syllabus Template May 20, 2024, Revised for PHR 102 January 2025
Bergen Community College
Division of Humanities
Department of Philosophy and Religion
Course Master Syllabus
PHR 102 Contemporary Moral Issues
Basic Information About Course and Instructor
Semester and year:
Section Number:
Meeting Times:
Locations:
Instructor Name:
Office Location:
Phone:
Office Hours:
Email Address:
Departmental Secretary: Shailly Mahajan, A-328A, 201-879-3606
Course Description
PHR-102 Contemporary Moral Issues is an introduction to applied or practical ethics. This
involves discussions of specific moral problems, issues, controversies, and questions.
Topics may include abortion; euthanasia; the death penalty and other punishments; sexual
morality; pornography and censorship; discrimination on the basis of race, gender, or
sexual orientation; drugs; environmental ethics; the moral status of animals; and the
meaning of virtue and vice.
Credits: 3 (3 lectures)
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
General Education Humanities Course
Student Learning Outcomes
As a result of meeting the requirements in this course, students will be able to:
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BCC Syllabus Template May 20, 2024, Revised for PHR 102 January 2025
Student Learning Outcome: Means of Assessment:
1. Accurately summarize, and paraphrase the views
of philosophers whose opinions on the nature of
morality, or specific moral issues, were studied.
Examinations or quizzes
Critical summary essay
Argument analysis essay
Argument regimentation/reconstruction
Compare and contrast essays
2. Locate, evaluate, and integrate information from
diverse sources to support ethical analyses.
Research project utilizing the Philosopher ’s Index
or other scholarly search engines of
peer-reviewed sources.
3. Construct and defend their own coherent,
well-supported ethical views in clear, concise
language.
Reflection essays
Philosophy in the Wild project
4. Use logical and critical thinking skills to evaluate
philosophical arguments, applying these
approaches to contemporary moral dilemmas.
In-class debate
Argument analysis essay
Critical summary essay
5. Participate actively in discussions by listening to,
analyzing, and thoughtfully engaging with
philosophical ideas and diverse perspectives on
moral issues.
Structured debate
Guided discussions
Essential Learning Outcomes
EL1 EL 2 EL 3 EL 4 EL 5 EL 6 EL 7 EL 8 EL 9 EL10 EL 11
SLO 1 X X X X X X
SLO 2 X X X X
SLO 3 X X X
SLO 4 X X X X
SLO 5 X X X
EL1-Effective Speaking
EL2-Effective Writing
EL3-Mathematical Reasoning
EL4-Scientific Reasoning
EL5-Technological Competency
EL6-Information Literacy
EL7-Social-Behavioral Analysis
EL8-Historical Analysis
EL9-Humanistic Analysis
EL10-Intercultural Awareness
EL11-Moral Literacy
*In accordance with the Standards for General Education Courses at Bergen Community College (2013), all Gen
Ed courses are required to address EL1, EL2, EL6, and EL11 (when appropriate), in addition to the ELO that
corresponds to its area of study (EL 3-5 and 7-9).
Signature Assignment:
The following assignment should be taught at least once in all sections.
Critical Summary Essay
The critical summary is a substantial and focused 3-page essay, written in MLA style, about a
specific philosophical argument in an assigned reading. The first two parts of this project are
analysis and the third part is evaluation:
1. Identify and “unpack” some specific supported claim made in the text—this is the
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BCC Syllabus Template May 20, 2024, Revised for PHR 102 January 2025
conclusion of some argument in the reading. Students should briefly explain its
meaning through key terms or useful background information, and its importance by
how it relates to the rest of the text, or this course, or the philosophical subject matter
generally. They must correctly quote and cite the text, but quotations should not be
more than 20% of the text.
2. Explain the support for the conclusion—the premises of the argument. These could
be examples or analogies, common knowledge or special assumptions, definitions, rules
of science or logic, even ethical principles or moral theories—anything the author relies
on in supporting their claim. (Usually, the author is explicit about this, but sometimes
arguments contain important unstated assumptions). Quotes are required in this part of
the essay; however, quotes should not be more than 20% of the text, you do have to
write on your own here.
3. Evaluate the argument. Students should explain why we ought to accept or reject the
argument. Students might explain why this is a good philosophical argument, why any
reader ought to be convinced by it. They might also defend the argument against a
potential objection If the student thinks we should reject it, they need to explain what’s
wrong with the argument (which cannot be that you just disagree with the conclusion);
i.e., they need to explain why any reader ought to reject the argument. Quotes are not
required here. This is where the student’s ideas belong.
Course Content:
PHR-102 is designed to introduce students to applied ethics. As such it should focus on
philosophical examinations of moral issues, and less on normative ethical theories. Although
the specific topics are left to the discretion of the instructor, a typical course will cover such
issues as abortion, euthanasia, genetic engineering, surrogate motherhood, the death penalty,
animal rights, sexual morality, racial and sexual discrimination, terrorism, cloning, etc.
Original source material by moral philosophers, both classical and contemporary, should be
read, including a review of divergent views on at least three moral issues. There should be
considerable review of the topics, problems and methods of ethics or moral philosophy.
Students are required to see how at least two of the following moral theories are applied to
specific moral questions: virtue ethics, Kantian deontology, utilitarianism and care ethics.
This course may examine other philosophical issues as they relate to social and political
philosophy, for example metaphysical questions about personhood, or economic problems, but
should contain no more than 20% of these issues, as they may overlap with PHR-101
Introduction to Philosophy and PHR-111 Social and Political Philosophy.
Course Texts or Other Study Materials:
Students in PHR-102 Contemporary Moral Issues must read mostly primary texts. Instructors
may also require inexpensive copies of primary texts from the history of moral philosophy,
e.g., the Hackett edition of Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics. Instructors may also choose Open
Educational Resources (OER) for their courses, to keep student costs minimal. However,
instructors should be selective about OER readings, which can sometimes contain dated or
inferior translations or excerpts. There are excellent textbook anthologies of primary readings.
The following textbooks come recommended by the Department of Philosophy and Religion:
● Lewis Vaughn, editor. Doing Ethics. WW Norton and Company, 7th edition 2024.
● Mark Timmons, editor. Disputed Moral Issues: A Reader. Oxford University Press, 6th
edition 2024.
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BCC Syllabus Template May 20, 2024, Revised for PHR 102 January 2025
Research, Writing, and/or Examination Requirement(s):
As a ‘General Education Humanities' course, PHR 102 requires students to complete a variety
of critical thinking, writing and speaking assignments. It also may require students to employ
techniques of scholarly research in some assignments, which may include class discussions and
debates requiring the application of critical thinking skills, short in-class essays, out-of-class
writing projects (journals, research papers, argument-analysis papers, book reviews, etc.), tests
and examinations containing essay components, and so forth. Instructors will respond to, or
comment on, student writing in detail.
Grading Policy:
A student’s final grade for the course is based primarily on performance on the required work
for the course (writing assignments, examinations, class presentations, etc.) and on overall
mastery of the material covered in the course. A student’s class participation may also be
evaluated, and the grade may be used as a factor in determining the student’s final grade for the
course; but a class participation grade will count for no more than twenty percent (20%) of the
final grade. A student's research and writing work will count at least fifty percent (50%) of the
final grade.
Philosophy and Religion Departmental Attendance Policy:
All students are expected to attend on time every scheduled meeting of each course in which
they are registered. Attendance, lateness policies and sanctions are to be determined by the
instructor for each section of each course. These will be established in writing on the
individual course outline. Attendance will be kept by the instructor for administrative and
counseling purposes. A reasonable makeup policy is left to the instructor's discretion, but
good excuses, serious and documented, should be accepted. Make-ups for examinations
should be allowed by the instructor if, in the instructor ’s judgment, the student has presented
a good excuse for missing the work. Instructors may penalize work which is late; however,
the instructor ’s policies for make-ups and late work must be clearly specified on the student
guide.
Statement on the BCC Philosophy Club:
The Philosophy Club has functioned continuously since the late 1980’s. It usually meets on
Tuesdays during the Activities Period, 12:30-1:25 PM, but sometimes also on different days
and at different times. Students are encouraged to join the club. For further information,
contact the Office of Student Life, who can provide contacts for the current club executive
board and faculty advisor.
Other College, Divisional, and/or Departmental Policy Statements:
Statement on plagiarism and/or academic dishonesty:
Academic Matters - Bergen Community College - Acalog ACMS™
Statement on the appropriate use of AI (see the following link for guidance):
AI-Guidance-Resource-Page.pdf (bergen.edu)
ADA statement:
Disability Services (Office of Specialized Services) | Bergen Community College
Sexual Harassment statement:
HR-003-001.2018-Policy-Prohibiting-Sexual-Harassment.pdf (bergen.edu)
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BCC Syllabus Template May 20, 2024, Revised for PHR 102 January 2025
Statement on acceptable use of BCC technology:
Acceptable-Use-Policy.pdf (bergen.edu)
Recommended Syllabus Statements from the Office of Specialized Services:
Syllabus Statements | Bergen Community College
Statement on the purpose and value of faculty office hours.
Accessibility Statement
Bergen Community College is committed to ensuring the full participation of all students in its
programs. If you have a documented disability (or think you may have a disability) and, as a result,
need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this class, complete course requirements, or benefit
from the College’s programs or services, contact the Office of Special Services (OSS) as soon as
possible at 201-612-5270 or www.bergen.edu/oss. To receive any academic accommodation, you must
be appropriately registered with OSS. The OSS works with students confidentially and does not
disclose any disability-related information without their permission. The OSS serves as a clearinghouse
on disability issues and works in partnership with faculty and all other student service offices.
Student Support Services
Bergen Community College provides exemplary support to its students and offers a broad variety of
opportunities and services. A comprehensive array of student support services including advising,
tutoring, academic coaching, and more are available online at https://bergen.edu/currentstudents/.
Sidney Silverman Library Online Resources: Guides BY SUBJECT - LibGuides at Bergen Community College General Search and Databases: Library | Bergen Community College
Sample Course Schedule:
This sample version of PHR-102 is topically organized into distinct learning modules. The
structure of modules is an opening discussion with a reflective in-class essay, followed by
readings in philosophy, an in-class debate and then an exam, considered summative for the
module. The final module is the critical summary project.
Week Topic/Activity/Assignments
1 Module 1: Moral Principles and Moral Theories
Required Reading:
Timmons “What is a moral theory” and “Dealing with many moral theories”
Assessments:
In-class reflective writing: case study on the Donner party
Canvas quiz on each assigned reading
2-6 Module 2: The Ethical Treatment of Animals
Required Reading:
Mill: Utilitarianism
Singer All Animals are Equal
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BCC Syllabus Template May 20, 2024, Revised for PHR 102 January 2025
Norcross Puppies, Pigs and People
Bruckner The Vegan’s Dilemma
Kant: “The Moral Law” from Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals
Timmons: Deontological Moral Theories
Gruen Experimenting with Animals
Kitcher Experimental Animals
Assessments:
In-class reflective writing: Case study–Should we exterminate vampire bats?
Canvas quiz on each assigned reading
Stand Where you Stand (class debate)
Exam 2, multiple choice and short essays
7-10 Module 3: Sexual Ethics
Required Reading:
Aquinas: Treatise on Law
Timmons: Natural Law Theories
Finnis Law, Morality and Sexual Orientation
Corvino: What’s Wring with Homosexuality?
Chadha: Sex and Consent
West: The Harms of COnsensual Sex
McGregor What is the Harm of Rape?
Assessments:
In-class reflective writing: Should America care about income inequality?
Canvas quiz on each assigned reading
Stand Where you Stand (class debate)
Exam 3, multiple choice and short essays
11-14 Module 4: Free Speech
Required Reading
Mill: On LIberty
Altman: Speech Codes and Expressive Harm
Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics
Timmons: Virtue Ethics
Lukianoff and Haidt: The Coddling of the American Mind
Kate Manne: Why I use Trigger Warnings
Assessments
15 Module 5: Critical Summary
Required Reading:
None, students should pick a text to work on, providing this to instructors.
Peer review in class
Assessments:
Critical Summary Project (out of class writing)
*All readings are from Timmons, Disputed Moral Issues
Note to Students: This course outline and calendar is tentative and subject to change,
depending upon the progress of the class.
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