PHIL 122 - Philosophical Approaches to Contemporary Moral Issues

Institution:

Williams College

Subject:

Philosophy

Description:

In this course we will examine a number of prominent and controversial social issues, using our study of them both as an opportunity to better understand the moral dimensions of those issues in and of themselves, and to consider the ways in which selected classical and contemporary moral theories characterize and address those moral dimensions. Topics will depend to some extent on student interest, but are likely to include concerns that fall under such headings as euthanasia, famine relief, abortion, capital punishment, terrorism and torture, food ethics, environmental ethics, and the like. Writing assignments will employ a "target essay" approach that involves writing groups in which students share their work with each other. For each issue we cover in class, one student in each group will write a five to seven page "target essay" on an assigned topic; all of the remaining members of each group will then read that essay and write a two page response to it. Depending on the number of students in the class, each person will write either one or two target essays, as well as four or five response essays throughout the course of the term. In addition, students will be required to substantially revise and expand one target essay in light of the peer response papers and written comments from the instructor, and to submit it as a final paper for the course.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.williams.edu

Phone Number:

(413) 597-3131

Regional Accreditation:

New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Calendar System:

Four-one-four plan

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