PHIL 261.001 – Ethics in Practice

Instructor: Keshav Singh. This course meets TR 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. in CW 208 with a recitation on T 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. in CW 213.

This course provides students with an opportunity to practice applying moral theories and principles of argument that they learn in their ethics classes in the interactive format of the Ethics Bowl. The Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl (IEB) combines a competitive tournament with a valuable educational experience. We will receive 15 case studies around Sept. 15th involving ethical issues in practical contexts, including engineering, law, medicine, personal relationships, education, and both domestic and international politics. Specific questions may concern a wide range of ethically salient topics, including but not limited to plagiarism, dating and friendship, gun control, environmental policy, civilian casualties, and globalization.

During the course students will discuss and prepare arguments about several cases. Preparation involves significant research, writing, understanding ethical theories, and oral presentation. The day hours of the class are designed to assist in these tasks. The team sent to the Ethics Bowl competition will be selected from those registered in the course. During recitations students will give presentations in mock Ethics Bowl competitions.

Prerequisite: 1 PHIL ethics course.