Introduction to Ethics – ETHC 101
CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 02/01/2024
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the principles and techniques of rational decision making in morality. It includes a survey of ethical theories, a review of the basic principles of critical reasoning, and applications of both to moral issues.
For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.
Rationale
Students at Liberty University are exposed to courses that introduce critical thinking about moral issues. While they highly value this aspect of their education, many would benefit from a treatment of ethical issues that is deeper and more systematic. This course proceeds from a very approachable introduction to ethical theories to a guided interactive exploration of practical ethical issues that are not covered in their other General Education courses.
Course Assignment
Textbook readings and lecture presentations
After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.
Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. The student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. Discussion threads must be 500–600 words in length and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 1 other classmate’s thread. The student should try to respond to a classmate who has not received a reply yet. The reply must be at least 500–600 words in length. (CLO: A, B, C, D; FLSO: CT 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5)
Each student will write a 1800-2000 word paper in current Turabian format that further develops the insights and arguments of the student’s second and third Discussions into a single, carefully articulated work. This paper is not required to utilize any sources outside of those that were used in the class (the two textbooks and the videos), but use of additional resources is permitted and encouraged. At the minimum the paper should utilize the resources from the class. (CLO: B, D; FLSO: CT 2, 3, 4, 5)
This assignment is an anonymous survey. It is not timed. It is less intense and is intended to encourage thoughtful introspection for one's life and the course. This is a completion grade, meaning that as long as the student answers each question according to the instructions, he or she will receive full credit for the assignment. (CLO: B, D; FLSO: CT 5)
Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the assigned Modules: Weeks. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 10 multiple-choice questions, and have a 30-minute time limit. (CLO: A, C; FLSO: CT 1, 5)
