Parisa Moosavi
pmoosavi@yorku.ca

This is an advanced course in theoretical ethics, covering both normative ethical theory and metaethics. We will examine some of the central questions that have framed and defined contemporary approaches to philosophical ethics. These questions include: “why be moral?”, “are there any objective moral values?”, “what does it take for a person’s life to go well?” and “what are the most general principles concerning right and wrong?” We will read leading philosophers who defend particular answers to these questions, and will critically evaluate the arguments they make in support of these theories. Along the way, we will also connect abstract questions in ethical theory to concrete moral problems, such as abortion and robot rights.

Technical requirements for taking the course:

The course will combine pre-recorded lectures with in-person discussion sessions held on campus. The office hours will be held on Zoom.

The technical requirements for taking the course include:

• A computer or smart device with an internet connection to access eClass (Moodle), which will be used for delivering pre-recorded lectures, assignments, discussion forums, and quizzes.
• Software necessary to view Microsoft Office files (MS Word and MS Powerpoint) and Adobe Reader (for pdf files).
• Video-conferencing technology (such as a webcam and microphone) for attending (optional) virtual office hours on Zoom, and in case holding class remotely becomes necessary due to unpredictable circumstances related to the pandemic.

Please review this syllabus for the details of how the lectures, tutorials, assignments, quizzes, and office hours will be delivered.

Here are some useful links for student 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:

Mondays & Wednesdays 1:00pm-2:30pm - Vari Hall 3006

The course will follow a “flipped classroom” model. It will combine pre-recorded lectures with in-person discussion sessions. The in-person discussion sessions will meet only once a week (either on Mondays or on Wednesdays at the scheduled time and location). There is no option to attend the discussion sessions remotely if you don’t have access to campus.

If you can’t attend in-person classes, please contact the instructor to inquire about alternative ways to contribute to class discussion. Accommodations will be made on a case-by-case basis. However, please be advised that there is no way to guarantee the same quality of learning experience without attending the discussion sessions in person. So you are strongly encouraged to attend the in-person meetings on Wednesdays.

Virtual office hours: The course director’s virtual office hours will be scheduled on Zoom.

The course will use a reading kit. This reading kit is available as a physical book (not an e-book) to purchase through the bookstore’s website.

All the other required readings will be accessible via links provided on eClass.

Attendance & participation 15%

Quizzes (twice a week) 20%

Reading reflections (twice during the term) 10%

Short paper 20%

Final paper 35%

Please review the table below for the details of various components of the course.

Completing the work for this course will:

• Introduce you to the central questions in normative ethical theory and metaethics.
• Enable you to recognize the concepts and assumptions behind these questions, and form questions (and answers) of your own.
• Teach you the motivations behind the primary positions in the field, and enable you to critically engage with them.
• Improve your ability to read difficult texts with comprehension.
• Improve your ability to analyze and evaluate arguments.
• Improve your ability to communicate complicated ideas in concise prose.

Grading Policy:  The grading scheme for the course conforms to the 9-point grading system used in undergraduate programs at York (e.g., A+ = 9, A = 8, B+ - 7, C+ = 5, etc.).  Assignments and tests* will bear either a letter grade designation or a corresponding number grade (e.g.  A+ = 90 to 100, A = 80 to 90, B+ = 75 to 79, etc.)

(For a full description of York grading system see the York University Undergraduate Calendar here.)

Assignment Submission: Proper academic performance depends on students doing their work not only well, but on time.  Accordingly, assignments for this course must be received on the due date specified for the assignment.

Assignments are to be submitted electronically on eClass.

Lateness Penalty: Please see the policy for each type of assignment below.

Paper assignments: You may be granted an extension of up to 5 days on a paper assignment, no questions asked, only if you email the course instructor requesting an extension at least 24 hours before the due date of the paper assignment. Late submission of any written assignment without an extension will be penalized 3 percentage points for each day that the assignment is late.

Quizzes: The quizzes won’t be available online after the deadline. If you have a valid reason for missing a quiz, contact the course instructor as soon as possible to receive a make-up assignment. Note that you can miss one quiz (out of 21) with no penalty without having to provide justification.

Policy regarding Audio-Visual Recordings: Students do not have permission to duplicate, copy and/or distribute the lectures recordings outside of the class (these acts can violate not only copyright laws but also FIPPA).