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SYLLABUS
Catalog Description. Designed to give students an interdisciplinary
experience in the study of social ethics from the perspective of theology,
religion, and philosophy. Students will explore the theory and practice
of social ethics and develop the knowledge and skills for philosophical and
theological critique of ethical systems and social policy. Course Description. An exploration of the diverse perspectives with which Americans
view various issues in social ethics. Emphasis is placed upon acquiring
an understanding of the major models of morality that serve as the
philosophical basis for controversies surrounding contemporary social
ethics. The course seeks to both explain and question how religious and
secular models of American social ethics can both cause social divisiveness
and contribute toward social unity. Specific social issues are examined
as illustrations of the ways in which both religious and secular influences
shape the social ethics of American society. The Internet-based, online
course utilizes Internet resources, online technologies and the WebCT
educational platform. Course Objectives. Upon successful completion of the
course, students will be able to:
Required Textbook. Boss, Judith A. Ethics for Life: A Textbook with Course
Content. The
course is divided into ten (10) weekly units. Each unit contains
assignments related to a specific course topic. Unit topics are as
follows:
Class Format and Activities. This course is offered online utilizing
e-mail, web page, web board, and other Internet technologies and resources.
Students are required to have access to a computer that is connected to the
Internet prior to registration. Students are also expected to be familiar
with basic Internet technologies including sending and receiving e-mail and
attachments, web board postings, navigating the World Wide Web, performing
informational searches on the Internet, and transmitting and downloading
files. Regular weekly e-mail communication with the Instructor and the
submission/completion of all required assignments is important to the
successful completion of the course. Collaborative electronic communication
and live, real-time chat sessions between classmates concerning course
content is encouraged. Specific weekly course
assignments (described in the course schedule), are to be completed by each
student. Weekly course assignments typically include (1) a reading
assignment, and (2) participation in a web board discussion. In
addition, students are required to prepare and submit two reflection papers, one group project assigned and approved by the
Instructor, and take one comprehensive final examination. Students may also
be required to submit additional written assignments and/or quizzes from time
to time as determined by the Instructor. Expectations. Religion, Philosophy and Social Ethics is an upper division, reading-intensive
and writing-intensive course taught during an accelerated academic
session. Consequently, the course necessitates an extensive amount of
independent reading, research, writing, discussion and critical reflection on
behalf of each student in order to satisfactorily complete course
requirements. It is expected that students will devote an adequate
amount of time to the course each week to enable full participation in scheduled
course activities. Each student is expected to complete reading and research
assignments in a thorough and timely fashion, to be tolerant and respectful
of the views, beliefs and values of others, and to participate actively in
course discussions and other learning activities. These expectations
are of particular importance in this online course as the principle method of
exploration, examination and analysis of the concepts and issues presented in
the course is collaborative and cooperative student interaction. Since this course involves
an examination of issues and relationships that are relevant to contemporary
events and circumstances, it is further expected that students will engage in
personal reflection as well as academic study as part of their commitment to
achieving course objectives. That is, students will be asked to
reflect upon the implications and meaning of issues with regard to their
impact upon our experience and understanding of every day life. Pedagogic
Approach. The learning strategies employed by the
course emphasize student-instructor and student-student interactions and
communication. While each student is expected to demonstrate sound
independent study and time management skills, the ability to work cooperative
and collaboratively with other students to exchange ideas and achieve
learning objectives is requisite to the successful completion of the
course. Specifically, the learning experience of each student is enhanced through active participation in weekly
web board discussions and the completion of a major group learning
project. In a learning environment of this kind, the instructor's role
is centered upon the facilitation and individual and group learning
activities, and students assume primary responsibility for identifying and
acquiring needed knowledge and information. Course
Requirements and Schedule. It
is the responsibility of each student to read and know all information
contained in the course Syllabus, Schedule (including assignments and due
dates), Study Guide, Group Project, and any other supplemental readings or
materials provided by the Instructor. Contact the instructor
immediately if there are any aspects of the Syllabus, Schedule or other
course documents that require explanation or clarification. No late
submissions of assignments will be accepted. Course
Week. The course is comprised of ten weeks of
study. Each course week begins on a Sunday and ends at midnight on the
following Saturday. Various assigned learning activities may begin and
end throughout each course week as stated on the course schedule. Course
Assignments. Assignments are contained in Weekly units and there is one unit
for each course week. Weekly units are posted for student access in the
"Assignments" section on the WebCT homepage on the Sunday of each
course week. Weekly units contain detailed assignments/instructions for
a particular course week and serve as the map by which the course proceeds
throughout the term. Reading
Assignments. In order for students to participate
effectively in Web Board discussions, prepare for examinations, and prepare
written assignments, it is expected that each student complete assigned
readings during the time period indicated on the course schedule. Study
Guide. There is one study guide for the course
which provides a list of terms/concepts, a list of key individuals and sample
essay questions. Students are responsible for all items contained in
the study guide. Internet Study Resources. The course web page includes a number
of Internet links to resource sites for Science, Religion, Philosophy
as well as resource links to study aides and online mentoring
opportunities. The links included on the course web page are by no
means exhaustive of the Internet resources available in these areas, but
simply serve as points-of-departure for further exploration. You
are encouraged to explore the resource links on the web page, and to provide
the instructor with your input regarding which links are useful, which are
not, and about additional resources of which you are aware or discover during
the course. Group
Project. In
lieu of a traditional term paper, students will participate in the
development and presentation of an assigned group project. Group
projects will explore the relation of Religion and Philosophy to issues and
questions related to Social Ethics. Group projects constitute 30% of
the overall course grade. Please see the "Group
Projects" page for further details and requirements. Examinations. There will be one comprehensive final
examination for the course. The final examination is a closed-book, no notes
test and is valued at thirty percent (30%) of the course grade. The
final exam must be taken on the Chaminade campus as scheduled, an approved
alternative test site, or under the supervision of a pre-approved proctor.
To arrange for a proctored exam, contact the Accelerated Programs office at 735-4755. Grading. Excellence in this course requires not
only academic mastery of course content, but also personal reflection upon
the relevance of issues regarding religious meaning to the human
community. Minimum satisfactory performance entails the successful
completion of the following: (1) weekly discussion group postings in response
to questions or topics provided by the Instructor (pass/fail); (2) two
reflection papers; (3) one group project presentation; and (4) one
comprehensive Final Examination. The weight of the various elements
comprising the overall course grade is summarized as follows:
Table 1. Assignment Weight
Table 2. Conversion: Points to Letter Grades
All grades reflect the standards set forth in Chaminade's
2005-2006 General Catalog. As indicated in the catalog, an "A"
signifies outstanding scholarship and unusual intellectual initiative; a
"B" signifies superior work; a "C" signifies a competent
grasp of the subject matter; a "D" signifies inferior work; and an
"F" indicates failure to grasp the minimum subject matter. Since
the final examination comprises 40% of the overall course grade, it is not
possible to attain a letter grade higher than a "D" if the final
examination is failed or missed. Incomplete
Grades. Incomplete grades are not issued except in extraordinary circumstances, and in no event unless the majority of
course work has already been completed to the satisfaction of the
Instructor. Extraordinary circumstances entail medical emergencies,
military deployment and other significant events that are beyond a student's
control and impede the student's ability to complete all required course work
by the scheduled end of the term. Deadlines. Students are expected assume
responsibility for knowing, observing and meeting assignment deadlines as
described in the course schedule. Late or make-up assignments will not be
accepted by the instructor, except under extraordinary documented
circumstances, such as military deployment or serious illness. It is
the students' responsibility to provide the instructor with verifiable
documentation for any extraordinary circumstances that prevent the submission
of assignments on time, and to present a plan to complete missed deadlines
and/or assignments missed to the instructor for approval. Regular
Participation. With the possible exception of
documented emergencies, there will be no extensions given on assignment due
dates or the final examination without the prior approval of the
instructor. Students who fail to submit assignments or comply with
other requirements are advised to withdraw from the course in order to avoid
a final course grade of "F". Grades of "Incomplete" will
only be given in cases of documented extraordinary circumstances beyond the
student's control. Online
Chat. The instructor may opt to implement Online Chat sessions during
the term. If implemented, participation by students in Online Chat
sessions is mandatory for the number of sessions specified by the Instructor. E-Mail
Communications. Students are to sign and provide course
identification on all messages, assignments and other communications directed
to the instructor. All e-mail communications are to be sent through the WebCT
electronic mail system, and the subject line of all e-mail messages should
include the course number. Technical
Assistance. In
the event that technical questions or difficulties arise, students are
encouraged to contact the Chaminade Computer Lab for assistance. The
Computer Lab may be reached by telephone at 735-4819. In-Person
Meeting. There
is one required in-person meeting for this course; a final meeting at the
conclusion of the term during which a final examination is
administered. The final meeting is held on the Course
Schedule. A schedule of course activities is available via the
"Documents" section on the WebCT course homepage. The
schedule provides a detailed, week-by-week overview of course activities
throughout the term. The table below presents a week-by-week summary of
topics covered in the course:
Plagiarism. The Chaminade Plagiarism is the offering
of work of another as one's own. Plagiarism is a serious offense and
may include, but is not limited to, the following:
This policy statement means that
students' are not allowed to submit the work of another as their own, that
altering the work of another for presentation as one's own constitutes
plagiarism, and that all sources must be properly cited. If a
student commits plagiarism, or fails to properly cite all sources, then the
student will receive no credit for the assignment and the Academic Dean will
be notified accordingly. If there is any doubt about
whether or not the use or submission of a particular work constitutes
plagiarism, contact the Instructor for guidance and assistance. Mutual Consideration and Respect. As subjects examined during this
course may touch upon topics, beliefs, and/or issues considered sensitive by
some, it is imperative that all students demonstrate courtesy and respect
concerning the views, opinions, and beliefs of others. finis © Robert G. Mitchell,
2001-2006. All rights reserved. |
