Strongly Recommended Microsoft
Office applications or similar programs. All courses will require to you write
assignments and submit them electronically and also view or download documents
posted by instructors. Since MS Office products are widely used, using them for
your online class will minimize accessibility problems.
-
Microsoft
Word for reports
-
PowerPoint for slide presentations
- Excel
for spreadsheets
Browser requirements
|
Netscape
|
Internet Explorer
|
AOL |
Windows 98/Me/2000/XP
|
4.76, 6.2.1, 6.2.2,
6.2.3
|
5.0 or higher, 6.0
(5.5 SP1 is not supported
|
7.0
|
Mac OS 9.x
|
4.76, 6.2.1, 6.2.2,
6.2.3
|
5.x
|
5.0
|
Mac 10.1.x
|
4.76, 6.2.1, 6.2.2,
6.2.3
|
5.x
|
5.0
|
Technical Skills
Students are also expected to be familiar with the use of 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. Basic word
processing and familiarity with Powerpoint software is recommended.
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.
The course is
divided into ten (10) weekly units. Each unit contains
assignments related to a specific topic. Unit topics
are:
1. |
Orientation and Ethics Overview |
2. |
Moral
Reasoning - Part I |
3. |
Moral
Reasoning - Part II |
4. |
Is
Morality Grounded in Religion? |
5. |
Morality
Is Just A Matter of Personal Feeling |
6. |
Is
Morality Dependent Upon Culture? |
7. |
Utilitarianism: The Greatest Happiness
Principle |
8. |
Deontology: The Ethics of Duty |
9. |
Rights
Ethics: The Other Side of Deontology |
10. |
Virtue
Ethics and the Good Life |
COURSE FORMAT AND ACTIVITIES
|
Religion,
Philosophy and Social Ethics is
offered online utilizing e-mail, web page, web board, live
chat and
other Internet technologies and resources.
Specific weekly course assignments (described in the course
schedule), are to be completed by each student. Weekly
course assignments typically include a reading
assignment and participation in a web board
discussion. In addition, students are required to prepare
and submit two (2) reflection papers, one (1) pre-approved group project,
complete four (4) quizzes, and take one (1)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. Reading, writing,
discussion and group project assignments are due by the dates
indicated in the course
schedule.
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.
WebCT Course
Homepage
Course materials,
access to the web board, chat rooms, e-mail and links to
Internet-based informational resources are available through
the WebCT course homepage. Course documents, including the
Syllabus, Schedule, Study Guide and Group Project
Requirements,
are available through the
WebCT course homepage.
In addition, the web page offers links to various Internet
resources and resource sites that may be of assistance in
conducting independent research about Religion, Philosophy
and Social Ethics.
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 indicated in the course
Schedule.
Course
Assignments
Assignments are contained
in Weekly units and there is one unit for each course week.
Weekly units are posted in the
"Assignments" section on the WebCT homepage on the Sunday of
each course week. Weekly units contain detailed
assignments/instructions for which students are responsible.
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 in the course schedule.
Study Guide
There is one study guide for the course. The
Study Guide provides a
list of terms/concepts and key individuals as well as sample
essay questions. Students are responsible for all items
contained in the study guide.
Internet Resources
The
"Resources" section contains 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.
Web Board
Discussions/Participation
Web board-based
class discussions are utilized as a means of stimulating and
encouraging thoughtful reflection concerning the topics,
themes and subject matter covered in the course. Regular
weekly participation in web board discussions is required.
In the event that technical difficulties arise disrupt
access or utilization of the web board system, the
instructor may elect to utilize e-mail to conduct
discussions and maintain dialogue.
Quizzes
There are four (4) quizzes administered during the course.
Availability and due dates for the quizzes are listed in the course schedule.
Reflection Paper(s)
Students are required to
compose and submit two (2) reflection papers on topics provided by the
Instructor. Reflection papers take the place of a traditional Midterm
examination and provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate their
ability to relate abstract academic material to the issues and circumstances of
daily life. Reflection papers
comprise ten percent (10%)
of the overall course grade and are
evaluated on a Pass/Fail basis. Reflection papers are due on the date(s)
appearing in the course Schedule.
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 comprise thirty percent (30%) of the overall course grade.
Please see the "Team Projects" page for further details and
requirements.
Final Examination
There is one comprehensive final examination for the
course. The final examination is a closed-book, no notes
comprehensive test and is valued at thirty percent (30%) of the course
grade. The final exam must be taken in-person on the Chaminade campus,
or at an approved alternative test site, as scheduled, 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) four quizzes, (4) one group project presentation; and (5) one
comprehensive Final Examination. It is possible to
earn up to 1000 points in this course. The weight of the various
elements comprising the overall course grade is summarized
as follows:
Table 1.
Assignment Weight
Discussion Postings (10) |
20% |
200 points |
Pass/Fail |
Quizzes
(4) |
10% |
100 points |
Pass/Fail (Mastery Learning) |
Reflection Papers (2) |
10% |
100 points |
Pass/Fail |
Group Project |
30% |
300
points |
Scored/Points |
Comprehensive
Final
Examination |
30% |
300
points |
Scored/Points |
Total |
100% |
1000 points |
Letter Grade
|
Table 1.
|
Lists various weights assigned to grade
points achieved on
specific scored and |
non-scored
assignments during the term. At the
end of the term, weighted points |
acquired on scored and non-scored
assignments are combined and the cumulative
total |
is used in the conversion
of grade points to course letter grades. |
|
Table 2. Conversion:
Points to Letter Grades
900 - 1000 |
A |
800 - 899 |
B |
700 - 799 |
C |
600 - 699 |
D |
0 - 599 |
F
|
Table 2.
List of point value
ranges applied in the conversion of
cumulative
scored points to letter grades. Course letter
achieved on all
scored assignments during the term. |
Grades are based upon the total number of
cumulative points.
|
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.
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:
DATE |
TOPIC |
|
|
Week One
|
Orientation
and Ethics Overview |
Week Two
|
Moral Reasoning -
Part I |
Week Three
|
Moral Reasoning -
Part II |
Week Four
|
Is Morality
Grounded in Religion? |
Week Five
|
Morality Is Just
A Matter of Personal Feeling |
Week Six
|
Is Morality
Dependent Upon Culture? |
Week Seven
|
Utilitarianism:
The Greatest Happiness Principle |
Week Eight
|
Deontology: The
Ethics of Duty |
Week Nine
|
Rights Ethics:
The Other Side of Deontology |
Week Ten
|
Virtue Ethics and
the Good Life |
COURSE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
|
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.