SYLLABUS

130N     40197-2
FALL 2008
OV 015
TR 5:30 - 7:35


Instructor

Franz Kiekeben
E-mail: kiekeben.1@osu.edu
Office: OV 357
Office hours: After class and by appt.




Text

James Rachels and Stuart Rachels, eds., The Right Thing to Do, 4th edition


Grading

Your grade for the course will be determined as follows:

Midterm: 40%. In-class assignments: 20%. Final (non-comprehensive): 40%.

The exams will be multiple choice, and will cover both lecture and reading material. You will be able to make up exams provided you have a valid excuse for your absence. Please contact me as soon as possible (preferably by e-mail) if you miss an exam.

There will be ten in-class assignments, consisting of short answer or multiple choice questions. Note: you will not be able to make up in-class assignments unless you have a doctor's note, had a death in the family, or have some similar excuse for your absence.

Helpful contributions to class discussion will be effective in determining course grades in borderline cases.


Important Dates

Oct 30 - Midterm
Nov 11 - Veterans' Day
Nov 27 - Thanksgiving
Dec 8-11 - Finals Week


Other

University regulations regarding academic misconduct will be strictly enforced.
Students with disabilities should make their needs known to the instructor.


Course Outline

Intro: Why be moral?
Relativism
Divine Command Theory
Natural Law Theory
Social Contract Theory
Utilitarianism
Kantian Ethics
Abortion
Cloning
Euthanasia
Capital Punishment
Animal Welfare
Environmentalism
The Drug War
Political Philosophy