PHIL 1040 Introduction to Ethics

3 (3 lecture hours) Credit Hour(s)

Morality is tentatively defined as those rules that tell us what is good or bad, right or wrong. They govern our behavior. Ethics is tentatively defined as the rational justification of our moral rules. These definitions will be refined as the course progresses. This course, Introduction to Ethics, is a critical analysis of the principal ethical theories and their applications to contemporary moral issues. This course is equivalent to PHIL 121.

General Education Learning Outcomes (TBR Approved)

Explain artistic, literary, or philosophical works within the context of the discipline.
Analyze the ways that various artistic, literary, or philosophical works reflect their cultural and historical context or contribute to the present (contemporary) world.
Employ critical and analytical methodologies of the Humanities or Fine Arts, which may include direct observation, reflection, and ethical research.
Effectively convey ideas and arguments with attention to several of the following: relevance, completeness, clarity, coherence, consistency, or persuasiveness

Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Distinguish basic ethical theories and approaches, including the traditional Western approaches (consequence-based, duty-based, and virtue-based) and one or more non-traditional or non-Western approaches.
Describe and distinguish key concepts in ethics.
Discuss core ethical problems in an informed and thoughtful manner.
Analyze and interpret significant literature in ethics, from various time periods and traditions, at a collegiate level of competency.
Describe the basic tensions in ethics between competing value claims and explain how divergent ethical theories or traditions attempt to resolve these tensions.
Apply basic ethical concepts and approaches to solving practical problems in ethics.

Prerequisite(s): ENGL 0810 and READ 0810 or equivalent