Course Syllabus

PHIL 2110 TK INTRODUCTION TO ETHICS
(Fall 2021)

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Deniza Alieva

INSTRUCTOR’S CONTACTS: denizaalieva@webster.edu or Canvas internal messages

BOOKS:

• Byars, S.M. and Stanberry, K. (2018). Business ethics, OpenStax: Houston, TX.
• Shafer-Landau, R. (2018). The fundamentals of ethics, 4^th edition, Oxford University Press: New York, NY.
• Shafer-Landau, R. (2018). The Ethical Life: Fundamental Readings in Ethics and Moral Problems, 4^th edition, Oxford University Press: New York, NY.

OFFICE HOURS: By appointment. To schedule a meeting please send an email to the instructor.

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

A topical introduction to ethics. Topics to be covered may include: the nature of ethical reasoning, duty, and obligation; excuses, mitigating circumstances, and personal responsibility; conflicts between obligations and between duty and self-interest; conflict between personal and community moral standards; and the objectivity or subjectivity of values.

This course is coded for Roots of Cultures knowledge area and Ethical reasoning skill area in the Global Citizenship Program. Roots of Cultures courses develop knowledge of human cultures and the sources of meaning, focused by engagement with "big questions" whether contemporary or enduring. Ethical Reasoning is reasoning about right and wrong human conduct. It requires students to be able to assess their own ethical values and the social context of problems, recognize ethical issues in a variety of settings, think about how different ethical perspectives might be applied to ethical dilemmas and consider the ramifications of alternative actions.

COURSE MECHANICS

ASSIGNMENTS: You will have four short written assignments, one group presentation, midterm and final essays. The information below is provided to help you earn as many points as possible for each assignment, including discussions:

• Students are expected to complete all written assignments on a collegiate level standard of performance and they should be the student's own creation. Each assignment will be screened to make sure it has not been completed in your previous courses or that the work has not been plagiarized.
• APA citations/references are expected for anything that is not your own words. If you are not familiar with APA guidelines, Webster’s Emerson Library has some excellent online resources to help you with this information. You can also find info at APA style at a variety of websites (e.g., https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/2/10/ (Links to an external site.)).
• Each assignment should be treated as a professional document.
• The instructor's instructions on due dates and where to post the completed assignment must be followed.
• Include a title page with relevant info.
• Correctness of spelling, grammar, and punctuation is expected.
• For each assignment you should have APA citations and references.

LATE SUBMISSION: In case of late submission for each day a penalty of 1% of highest possible mark will be applied for discussions, quizzes, midterm presentation and final paper (except cases of emergency situations discussed with the instructor). The late submission is accepted up to 15 days after the deadline, after that moment the student will receive 0. The maximum deduction will not exceed 20% on the highest possible grade.

PLAGIARISM: Plagiarism is not acceptable and may result in a failing grade for the course. The maximum plagiarism rate permitted is 20% (overall for the whole work). Plagiarism includes but is not limited to: claiming someone else's work as your own, turning in a paper for which someone else did the work, quoting from another person without acknowledging the original source, copying from another student's paper or exam, allowing another person to copy your exam or paper.

First offense: Student receives written warning and professor completes the academic integrity form. Student receives a 0 on their assignment and is given a chance to resubmit.

Second offense: Student receives a 0 on their assignment with no chance for resubmission. Professor completes the academic integrity form. Student is enrolled in ESLG 4250, Academic Writing and Research, for the following semester. If the student does not successfully complete the ESLG 4250 course, he/she will be dismissed.

Third offense: Student will fail the course and must retake it the following semester. Professor completes the academic integrity form.

Fourth offense: Dismissal.

All offenses will be kept on student’s permanent record. Offense count is cumulative and remains with student through all courses during the duration of their studies at Webster University. Please consult the plagiarism policy in the module “Welcome” of Course materials or with the instructor if you are in doubt as to whether you are plagiarizing a source. Ignorance or sloppiness is not an excuse for plagiarism.

MISCELLANEOUS: If you have a disability that may have some impact on your work in this class and for which you may require accommodations contact your coordinator as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations can be implemented in a timely fashion.

ATTENDANCE: Full class attendance is required and attendance comprises 10% of the final mark. Attendance is fundamental because your participation in group discussions is important to the success of the class and cannot be made up. Absence, tardiness and leaving early for any reason except sickness or a true emergency, as well as rude behavior, are all unacceptable. If you must miss a class for University-related activities (i.e., student athletes participating in a scheduled competition) you must inform me in advance. Illnesses, deaths in the family, or emergencies are other excusable reasons for not attending class, or submitting work after its due date (provided that they are documented). Please contact me before class if possible.

TECHNOLOGY: All students must activate and regularly use their Webster’s Connections account and WorldClassRoom. The final paper will be accepted via Turnitin available in WorldClassRoom. This facilitates your review of an “originality report” that you may use to verify that you have not inadvertently plagiarized sources. 

ACTIVE CLASS PARTICIPATION: To receive a high grade, you will also need to be prepared, alert, and willing to engage in civil yet lively discussions. For our classroom experience to be as fulfilling as possible for everyone, we all need to contribute.  Please also be aware that there is such a thing as negative participation: if you behave in a manner that detracts from the quality of the classroom experience for the rest of the group it will lower your participation grade. While students are expected to participate in class discussions, they are not obligated to share beyond their level of comfort.

CLASSROOM DISRUPTIONS: Disruption of class, whether by latecomers, noisy devices, or inconsiderate behavior is not acceptable. Students are expected to treat the instructor and other students with dignity and respect, especially in cases where a diversity of opinion arises. Respect one another and treat each other in a civil manner regardless of background, orientation, or faith. Avoid monopolizing the conversation. Remember that good discussion involves listening as well as speaking. Students who engage in disruptive behavior are subject to disciplinary action, including removal from the course.

INCOMPLETE GRADES: A grade of Incomplete (I) is assigned by the instructor in situations where the student has satisfactorily completed major components of the course (70%), has attended the sessions synchronously/ asynchronously most of the term/semester (80%), and has the ability to finish the remaining work without failing/re-enrolling. A grade of Incomplete (I) must not be granted to students who periodically miss the sessions and fail to submit assignments regularly.  

Requirements for Incompletes 

• The Office of Vice-Rector and Faculty Director determines the appropriateness of an Incomplete and determines a deadline for course completion, not to exceed fifteen days.  
• The instructor establishes the remaining requirements for resolving an Incomplete and completes a "course incomplete" form. The remaining requirements should not exceed three assignments.  
• It is the instructor’s responsibility to follow up with a student and collect student work.  
• The student must submit the required work within fifteen days, and the instructor must grade the work within three days after the student’s submission.  

The period to resolve an Incomplete may be extended at the discretion and recommendation of the instructor, which must be approved by the Office of Vice-Rector and Faculty Director. This exception will be based on documented evidence that the student has been in contact with his/her instructor and has progressed toward completing his/her outstanding coursework as outlined on the "course incomplete" form.  

ONLINE STUDENTS: All policies provided in the syllabus are applicable for offline and online students. I expect that online students participate actively in class with their ideas and questions, so we can feel your presence and engagement. 

Academic Policies

Academic policies provide students with important rights and responsibilities.  Students are expected to familiarize themselves with all academic policies that apply to them.  Academic policies for undergraduate students can be found in the Undergraduate Studies Catalog; graduate students should review the Graduate Studies Catalog.

Undergraduate Studies Catalog

The Undergraduate Studies Catalog contains academic policies that apply to all undergraduate students. The academic policies and information section of the catalog contains important information related to attendance, conduct, academic honesty, grades, and more. If you are an undergraduate student, please review the catalog each academic year. The current Undergraduate Studies Catalog is at:

http://www.webster.edu/catalog/current/undergraduate-catalog/Links to an external site.

This syllabus is subject to change at any time at the instructor’s discretion. It is understood that remaining in the course constitutes an agreement to abide by the terms outlined in this syllabus and acceptance of the requirements of this course.

GRADING

Attendance: 10% of the final grade

Written assignments: 20% of the final grade

Group presentation: 20% of the final grade

Midterm essay: 25% of the final grade

Final essay: 25% of the final grade