Syllabus – Moral Philosophy, PHL 210 (MW), Spring 2022

Zoom, Office Hours, and contact information

• Zoom class meetings MW as scheduled
• Office hours through zoom: TU & TH –TU & TH 1:30-2:15pm – and by appointment.
• Tel: 315-445-4489 – Campus voice mail – you should receive a reply within a few days.
• Email: kagan@lemoyne.edu – You should receive a reply within a day or so (not including weekends).
• Le Moyne College website

Goals

This course aims at an understanding of the activity of making moral judgments or affirming one value or set of values over another. At issue are, typically, the meaning of the words spoken when people make ethical assertions, the possibility of justifying or proving the truth of such assertions and the implications of discovering situations in which the ethical dimension is problematic. Integral to this course is a study of these questions in the light of the great traditions of ethical thinking as they have come to light in the various wisdom literatures.

(Le Moyne College Catalog)

Philosophy department outcomes this course serves:

• Students will develop a philosophical understanding of the world through the eyes of others.
• Philosophically Significant Issues in the World: Students will evince a mature discernment of the relationship between philosophically significant issues and their own intellectual and moral worlds.
• Students will be able to summarize a philosophical argument with appropriate detail.

Required Reading List

1. Plato – Five Dialogues (Grube translation, with Cooper revisions)
2. Aristotle – Nicomachean Ethics (David Ross’s translation)
3. Confucius – Analects (D.C. Lau’s translation)
4. Lau Tzu – Tao Te Ching (D.C. Lau’s translation)
5. Martin Buber – The Way of Man
6. Kathryn J. Norlock – “Feminist Ethics,” The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Special Needs

In coordination with the Academic Support Center (ASC) and Disability Support Services , reasonable accommodations are provided for qualified students with disabilities. Please register with the ASC Office for disability verification and determination of reasonable accommodations. After receiving your accommodation form from the ASC, you will need to make an appointment with me to review the form and discuss your needs. Please make every attempt to meet with me within the first week of class so your accommodations can be provided in a timely manner. You can either stop by the ASC, Library, 1st floor, or call (445-4118-voice or 445-4104-TDD) to make an appointment.

Important Dates

If you miss class for any religious observance throughout the semester, please let me know (so it gets recorded as an excused absence).

Closings/cancellations and online versions of this course

Requirements and Grading

Requirements

Your grade will be based on the average of the following:

1. (50%) You will have an opportunity to take two take-home quizzes. These will be handed out at least 4 days before they are due. Late quizzes will receive a 15% grading penalty for each day they are late. [If you cannot get a quiz in on time, please let me know you need to take a make-up quiz with a different deadline.] Unless otherwise indicated, please complete the quiz in less than 500 words. All work, except in-class writings, is to be typed, double-spaced. Quizzes are to be turned in electronically on the date due through Canvas. (If you cannot access Canvas, please email the quiz to me at kagan@lemoyne.edu and—in addition to the file attachment—please paste the text of your answers into your email message.)
2. (50%) Other class work, which may include the following: group work/in-class writings/optional quizzes. (Optional quizzes can be used to replace take-home quizzes and vice-versa.)

Grading

Grades are based on a 10-point scale as follows:

• 90-100 – ‘A’ range (97-100 = A+; 94-96 = A; 90-93 = A-)
• 80-89 – ‘B’ range (87-89 = B+; 84-86 = B; 80-83 = B-)
• 70-79 – ‘C’ range (77-79 = C+; 74-76 = C; 70-73 = C-)
• 60-69 – ‘D’ range (67-69 = D+; 64-66 = D; 60-63 = D-)
• Below 60 – ‘F’

Tentative Course Schedule and Schedule of Assignments

1. Week #1 (of Jan. 19) Introduce course. Discussion of nomos, phusis, logos, & reading. Brief survey of ethical theories. Start reading Plato’s Euthyphro (the Plato assignments are in the Five Dialogues text). The following reading assignments are intended ideally to be completed by the date indicated. If you need to choose between reading carefully and completing the entire reading, I recommend reading carefully.

   In-class writing assignment – Please answer at least one of the following and submit your answer on Canvas: What do you like to study? Is there anything you want me to know about you or your interests that could help you learn more in this course.

2. Week #2 (Mon., Jan. 24)  Continue brief survey of ethical theories. Group work on ethical theories. Read Plato’s Euthyphro.

   Group work on Ethical theories — List the ethical theories that were reviewed in class. Which of these theories are challenged directly or indirectly by the dialogue Euthyphro? How so?

3. Week #3 (Jan. 31) Read Plato’s Apology.

4. Week #4 (Mon, Feb. 7) Read Plato’s Crito.

   Group work — In the three dialogues Euthyphro, Apology, and Crito, what authority or authorities is Socrates willing to disobey?  Why?  What authority or authorities is Socrates willing to obey?  Why?

5. Week #5 (Mon.,  Feb.14) Plato’s Meno.

   Group work question – According to Socrates in this dialogue, why should we seek the truth even if we are not persuaded by the idea of knowledge from recollection?

6. Week #6 (Mon.,  Feb. 21) Read Plato’s Phaedo.

   Group work –  Choose one of the following questions:
   
   (1)  What is misology? Why is Socrates opposed to it?
   
   (2)  Judging by his behavior in this dialogue, what does Socrates think are some of the obligations of the dying to the living?  What in the Phaedo suggests this?
   
   Mon., Feb. 21 - 1st take-home quiz given (due Wed., Mar 9).
   

7. Week #7 (Mon., Feb. 28) Read Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, Book 1.

   Group work question – Who does Aristotle claim is the appropriate student for ethics? Why?

8. Week #8 (Mon., Mar. 7)
   Read Nicomachean Ethics, Books 2-7.
   Read Kathryn J. Norlock’s “Feminist Ethics.”

   Group work questions –  Describe two virtues in terms of the principle of the mean.
   
   Then, answer one of the following:
   
      1. Explain how  Aristotle's idea of virtue as a mean between extremes relates to his claims about the lack of precision in ethics.
      2. Critically evaluate Aristotle’s presentation of at least one of these using ideas found in the Norlock reading.
   

   March 14-18,  Mon.-Fri.- Spring break

9. Week #9 (Mon., Mar. 21) Read Nicomachean Ethics, Books 8-9.

   Group work – Does Aristotle’s account of friendship explain the friendships you are familiar with? If so, how? Please give an example. If not, describe a friendship the theory does not explain, and explain why it fails to explain that friendship.

10. Week #10 (Mon. Mar. 28) Read Confucius’s Analects, Books I-X.

    Group work – Choose an analect that you like or find interesting. Explain why you like it or what you find interesting about it. Explain how it fits in with or contradicts other analects you have read.
    

11. Week #11 (Mon. Apr. 4) Group work – Read Analects, Books X-XX.
    
    First take-home quiz due Wed., 4/7.

    Group work – Answer at least one of the following.

    1. Having read the Analects, I-XX, what that you could apply to your own life did you find surprising. How could you apply it?

    2. The Analects indicate a variety of responses to living in a corrupt society. Name two. What is an advantage of each? What is a disadvantage of each?

12. Week #12 (Mon. Apr. 11) Read Lau Tzu’s Tao Te Ching, Book One.

    Group work – What is one short passage from this section of the Tao Te Ching that you found interesting, puzzling or confusing? Specify it by source, chapter number, and title (for example, “Book 1, 13” or “Book One, XIII”). Explain what is interesting, puzzling or confusing about this passage.
    
    Wed., Apr. 13 - 2nd take home quiz given (due Wed., Apr. 27). The second quiz is optional for students who passed the first quiz with a grade of 70 or better.
    
    Apr. 14-18 (Thurs.-Mon.)  Easter Weekend Break
    

13. Week #13 (Mon., Apr. 18) Read Lau Tzu’s Tao Te Ching, Book Two.
    
    Wed., 4/21 - 2nd take home quiz given (due Wed., 5/5, the second quiz is optional for students who passed the first quiz with a grade of 70 or better).
    

    Group work – What is one short passage from this section of the Tao Te Ching that you found interesting, puzzling or confusing? Specify it by source, chapter number, and title. Explain what is interesting, puzzling or confusing about this passage.

14. Week #14-15. (Mon., Apr. 25, and Mon. May 2) Read Martin Buber’s Way of Man.
    
    2nd take home quiz due Wed., May 5 (the second quiz is optional for students who passed the first quiz with a grade of 70 or better).
    

    Group work – Of the stories told here, summarize one that your group found interesting. What teaching does it offer about how to live a better life? What is the source of this teaching? If any members of your group are familiar with another place where this teaching can be found, please have them say where they have found it.
    

15. Week #16 (Mon. May 9) Last day of class.

    TBA/Final evaluations (if not done, and depending on the implementation of the new evaluation system.)

Note: There is no final exam in this class.

Some of this page’s links and other important information:

• Philosophy 210 Syllabus, Moral Philosophy, Spring, 2022
• Materials for Ethics
• Norlock, Kathryn. “Feminist Ethics,” The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Summer 2019 Edition) Edward N. Zalta (ed.).
• Kagan’s homepage

Le Moyne College

COVID-19 Syllabus Statement

Spring 2022

The following information describes the health and safety guidelines for classrooms, which are subject to change. The College may adjust health and safety protocols pending prevalence of the COVID-19 virus and its transmissibility on campus and within our local community.

Summary of Key Classroom Health and Safety Protocols:

1.       Appropriate face coverings (defined below) are required to be properly worn (i.e., covering both mouth and nose) in the academic buildings until further notice.

2.       No eating or drinking is permitted in classrooms.

3.       All eligible undergraduate and graduate students are required to receive a COVID-19 booster vaccination by the start of classes for the spring semester (see details below).

4.       Students who received an exemption from vaccination MUST adhere to the health and safety protocols detailed below.

Viral Transmission Levels. The NYS Department of Health has adopted and implemented guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC monitors levels of community viral transmission of the coronavirus by county and state. Viral transmission levels are classified as low, moderate, substantial, or high. The CDC provides guidance for the implementation of Covid-9 prevention strategies for each transmission level and within the context of each community’s vaccination coverage. For example, when viral transmission is low, fully vaccinated members of the Le Moyne Community who certify their vaccination status may not be required to wear a face covering or physically distance. However, when viral transmission is substantial or high, the CDC recommends that fully vaccinated individuals wear a face covering in public indoor settings. Additionally, the CDC recommends that fully vaccinated individuals may choose to wear a face covering regardless of the level of transmission, particularly if they are immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe disease from COVID-19, or if they have someone in their household who is immunocompromised, at increased risk of severe disease or not fully vaccinated. Individuals are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving their final dose schedule of an FDA-approved vaccine, i.e., two weeks after receiving the second dose in a two-dose series (e.g., Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) or two weeks after receiving a single-dose vaccine (e.g., Johnson & Johnson). Regardless of transmission level, and in accordance with NYS Department of Health requirements, unvaccinated individuals must continue to properly wear face coverings and be socially distanced.

College Face Covering Requirement. Within the context presented above, and given the prevalence and high transmission of the Delta and now emerging Omicron variants in Onondaga County, and in compliance with a recent determination by NYS’s Department of Health, appropriate face coverings are required to be properly worn (i.e., covering both mouth and nose) in the academic buildings, which include all classrooms and public spaces (i.e., lounges, hallways, stairwells, and elevators), until further notice. Appropriate and recommended face coverings include KN95 or KF94 respirators, surgical masks, and face coverings made of at least two layers of cloth. Above all else, a snug fit (no gaps, wired nose bridge, adjustable ear loops), offers the best protection to the user and the community. Most importantly, face coverings with an exhalation/release valve, single-layer gaiter-style neck fleeces, and bandanas should NOT be worn on campus.

In-Class Eating and Drinking Policy. Eating and/or drinking is not permitted in classrooms. Students however may seek a medical accommodation. Certain medical conditions may require a student to have something to eat or drink at specific times, including during a class period. For medical accommodations, students should contact the Office of Disability Support Services [Roger Purdy, dss@lemoyne.edu, (315) 445-4118]. Students granted a medical accommodation may lower their mask to drink/eat and then the mask must be immediately raised.

Covid-19 Vaccine and Booster Requirement. All undergraduate and graduate students (together with faculty, staff, and administrators) were required to have the COVID-19 vaccine by the opening of the fall 2021 semester. As part of the College’s strategy to reduce the risk of transmission and serious illness, Le Moyne is now requiring all eligible undergraduate and graduate students to receive a COVID-19 booster vaccination by the start of classes for the spring semester. Individuals are eligible to receive a booster vaccination five-months after the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, six-months after the second dose of the Moderna vaccine, and two-months after the first dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. Students not eligible to receive a booster by the start of classes due to the date of their second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines or first dose of Johnson and Johnson must receive their booster vaccination as soon as they are eligible. Students who received an exemption to the COVID-19 vaccination in the fall semester are encouraged to get vaccinated to protect themselves and the community from the spread of the virus.  

Responsibilities of Those Granted an Exemption. Though an overwhelming majority of the College Community was vaccinated by the fall, some exemptions based on medical and religious reasons were approved. In accordance with NYS Department of Health regulations, students and other members of the college community who received an exemption and who are not fully vaccinated MUST adhere to the following health and safety protocols, which are subject to change based on campus, county, and state disease prevalence.

·         Properly wear (i.e., covering both mouth and nose) an appropriate face covering in all campus buildings and classrooms.

·         Complete COVID-19 testing with the College testing program, at a minimum, two times a week on either Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday or submit proof of negative PCR test results from an external official testing location once a week to the COVID Office at coronavirus@lemoyne.edu.

·         Follow all New York State and CDC regulations pertaining to unvaccinated individuals.

For students, these requirements protect the student’s own health and safety as well as the health and safety of their classmates, their instructor, and the entire Le Moyne community. Students granted an exemption and who are not fully vaccinated and who refuse to wear appropriate face coverings properly or to adhere to other stated requirements will be subject to disciplinary action for Community Standards violations.

If a student granted an exemption is unable to wear a face covering due to a disabling condition, they should contact the Office of Disability Support Services [Roger Purdy, dss@lemoyne.edu, (315) 445-4118] to discuss accommodations.

COVID-19 Symptoms. Regardless of vaccination status, students who are experiencing COVID-19-related symptoms must not attend class and are encouraged to contact the Student Health Center [healthservices@lemoyne.edu, (315) 445-4440] or their primary medical provider. COVID-19-related symptoms may include one or some combination of the following:

·         Fever or chills

·         Cough

·         Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

·         Fatigue

·         Muscle or body aches

·         Headache

·         New loss of taste or smell

·         Sore throat

·         Congestion or runny nose

·         Nausea or vomiting

·         Diarrhea

Finally, in keeping with our values as a Jesuit college, each member of the community is expected to act honestly and ethically regarding both their vaccination status and any experienced COVID-19-related symptoms. A well-vaccinated and attentive community better protects the vulnerable amongst us and loved ones at home who cannot be vaccinated. 

Student Support Statements

Students are encouraged to speak up, be engaged, and participate in class. Classes will represent a diversity of individual beliefs, backgrounds, and experiences. We may not share the same views on some topics, but we converse in a respectful manner. Le College is a zero-tolerance campus.

9.         ACADEMIC STANDARDS:  Students are expected to observe at all times the highest ethical standards as members of the academic community.  Any form of dishonesty makes a student liable to severe sanctions, including expulsion from the College.  For details see the Community Standards section of the Student Handbook.

10.       BIAS-RELATED INCIDENTS:  Le Moyne College defines a bias-related incident as behavior that constitutes an expression of hostility against the person or property of another because of the targeted person’s race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, or disability.  Bias-related incidents include, but are not limited to, non-threatening name calling and using degrading language or slurs that are directed toward a person because of his or her membership or perceived membership in a protected class and that create a hostile environment for that person. 

Students who believe they have experienced bias or discrimination are encouraged to report the incident. Please refer to Le Moyne’s Bias-Related Incident Reporting webpage to submit a report and for further information.

11.       OBSERVANCE OF RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS:  Students who are unable to attend class, participate in any examination, study or classwork requirements on a particular day because of his or her religious beliefs are eligible for an equivalent opportunity to make up any missed examination, study, or classwork requirement, without penalties or additional fees.  Students who require such an opportunity must contact their instructor at least two weeks in advance.  A full copy of the College’s policy on the observance of religious holidays can be found in the deans’ offices. 

12.       SPECIAL NEEDS: Your access in this course is important.  Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss your specific needs.  You should also meet with someone from Disability Support Services (DSS) about your disability and accommodation needs.  The DSS office is located on the first floor of the library (315-445-4118; dss@lemoyne.edu).  This should take place within the first 2 weeks of the semester.

13.       TITLE IX:  Students who believe they have been harassed, discriminated against, or involved in sexual violence should contact the Title IX Coordinator (315-445-4278) for information about campus resources and support services, including confidential counseling services.

Le Moyne faculty are concerned about the well-being and development of our students and we are available to discuss your concerns.  As faculty, we are obligated to share information with the College’s Title IX coordinator to help ensure that the student’s safety and welfare are being addressed, consistent with the requirements of the law.  These disclosures include, but are not limited to, reports of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking.

Please refer to Le Moyne's Sexual Misconduct Resources webpage for contact information and further details.

14.       STUDENTS WITH PERSONAL/MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS: Students who encounter personal problems of any kind, especially problems that might affect their academic performance, are encouraged to contact the Wellness Center for Health and Counseling (https://www.lemoyne.edu/Student-Life/Student-Services/Wellness-Center). The Center is located on the 2nd floor of Seton Hall; appointments may be arranged by phone at 445-4195 or e-mail at counselingservices@lemoyne.edu. The Center provides both individual and group counseling on a strictly confidential basis. The Counseling staff is also available on an emergency basis.

15.       TUTORING:  Tutoring is located in the Student Success Center on the first floor of the library, to the right of the art gallery.  It is open M-Th 10am-9pm, F 10am-4pm, and Sun 3pm-9pm.  Peer tutors are available for most subjects.  To sign up, go to the Student Success Center webpage to create an account and log in to select the current semester’s schedule.  If you need tutoring for a subject not listed, please email tutoring@lemoyne.edu.  Tutoring is free for all students and is available from the second week of classes through the last day of classes.

16.       WRITING CENTER: Writing well is difficult. One of the best ways to become a better writer is to talk with other, smart writers about your work. Le Moyne’s Writing Center provides you with just such a resource. Whether you’re getting started, drafting paragraphs, revising ideas, or proofreading, you can make an appointment to meet face-to-face or online with a writing tutor to talk about any academic or professional writing assignment. More information, including the Writing Center’s hours, are available on the Writing Center’s webpage. You can sign up for an appointment through WCOnline or email writingcenter@lemoyne.edu with any questions.

17.       QUANTITATIVE REASONING CENTER:  The QRC supports students taking courses that require numerical manipulation and/or analysis.  We offer collaborative tutoring (clinics) with trained peer tutors for course content and we can help you develop learning strategies for these subjects as well.  You can find our schedule at lemoyne.edu/qrc or email qrc@lemoyne.edu with any questions.

18.       CAREER ADVISING AND DEVELOPMENT: It’s never too early to think about your career path. Your future is worth the investment of time and effort! We understand that each Dolphin is unique, and we work to develop a personalized plan that encompasses one's passions, skills and opportunities. Whether it’s choosing a major, deciding what to do with the major you’ve got, finding an internship, or landing a job, we have resources and expertise to help.  www.lemoyne.edu/careers

19.       NOREEN REALE FALCONE LIBRARY: The Library offers the space, the valuable resources and the people to support you in your research here at Le Moyne, both in person and online. For more information about Library resources, or to find your Subject Librarian visit the Le Moyne Library Online. You can ask a librarian a question at any time by visiting  Ask Us By Chat.