Dr. C Bigwood
cbigwood@yorku.ca

In this course we will study good thinking practices, tools of moral reasoning, and different traditional philosophical approaches to a number of controversial moral issues.  The moral issues we will consider may include Euthanasia, Capital Punishment, Abortion, Wealth and Poverty, Discrimination, Indigenous Rights, Environmental and Climate Justice, and Animal Liberation.  We will consider the use of facts, moral principles, and values as well as the difficulties associated with them, and the relationship of morals to law and religion.   Along the way students will be introduced to traditional philosophical ideas from Aristotle, Locke, Mill, Kant and Rawls that are often used in considering issues of morality and justice as well as feminist and indigenous perspectives.  Students will be encouraged to be open minded, to look at issues from different perspectives, and to engage in discussions and debates on the issues in live tutorial sessions.

Technical requirements for taking the course Eclass will be used in this course on which students will access readings, lectures and submit assignments.

Students shall note the following:

• This is a Blended Course: You will have one live weekly two hour tutorial session on campus at the time of the tutorial for which you signed up, led by a tutorial instructor.
• My prerecorded audio powerpoint lectures (about two 30 minute lectures per class) will all be available through online links at eClass.. Note this is a double time course so you have two “classes” per week (thus four 30 minute lectures)!
• You should have a stable, high speed Internet connection, and/or a smart device with these features.
• Your quizzes will be online, and submission of all assignments (response papers and an essay) will be online at the Eclass website.

Here are some useful links for students on computing information, resources and help:

Student Guide to Moodle

Zoom@YorkU Best Practices 

Zoom@YorkU User Reference Guide

Computing for Students Website

Student Guide to eLearning at York University

To determine Internet connection and speed, there are online tests, such as Speedtest, that can be run.]

Times and locations: Note this course is set up on a weekly basis and is a double time course (!), so do make sure you are ready to take on this double time load.  The course involves asynchronous prerecorded lectures that students can access at their convenience each class through eClass, as well as one weekly, two-hour, on campus, live tutorial (sign up for Tuesdays 12.30 or 2.30, or Fridays 12.30 or 2.30).

Virtual office hours: There will be a Zoom link at the course website for my online office hour. You can email me to set up an appointment if the hour set up is not convenient for you, since I am available to meet most days.

Most resources for this course are text based articles with a couple of videos.  All resources will be available through online links at the Eclass website.

Response Assignments: Response 1 15%; Response 2: 15%; 30%

Quizzes: Quiz 1 10%; Quiz 2: 15%; Quiz 3: 15%= 40%

Participation : 10%

Essay: 20%

TBA

• To understand and develop basic comprehension and argumentation skills in order to understand and critically evaluate positions of authors in scholarly articles, and those of classmates
• To introduce students to traditional philosophical approaches, including key concepts, principles, and values in debates concerning practical moral problems and to encourage students to think critically about them.
• To introduce students to the importance of social, political and cultural contexts to the understanding of power and difference
• To give students ample opportunity through writing assignments and discussion to wonder, think, ask questions, and generally attempt to critically confront the complexities of moral issues
• To encourage students to communicate clearly and effectively through writing
• assignments, and in class discussions, and to develop their own moral positions on these difficult moral problems
• To develop an ability to write a well researched, well argued, and grammatically correct essay

Course policies

Quizzes will be timed, and you will have a few days window in which to write.  Ample time time will be allotted on quizzes to complete them.  If something comes up so that you are unable to write, you need to inform your tutorial instructor and myself, and I can extend the time of the quiz in your case, if your excuse is valid.

Response assignments are due at a certain time.  No late submissions.  If something comes up in your life so that you are unable to get them in on time, you should inform your instructor and myself (the course director) ahead of time, and if it is a valid excuse, a new assignment will be assigned.  They will be marked by rubrics.

Late marks for your essay are 5% per day.

You should be prepared to go to tutorials, and to participate in them with your tutorial instructor and fellow students.  These tutorials will give you a chance to go over the material and discuss the ideas.  Participation is 10% of your grade..