INSTRUCTOR AND OFFICE INFORMATION: Stefan Sencerz, Ph.D. FC 261; 825-2392; Hours: M 11-12:30 a.m, 9:30-10:30p.m, MW 2:15-4:00, TR 12:15-1:00 and BA. E-mail: sencerz@falcon.tamucc.edu; web: http://www.tamucc.edu/~sencerz/stefan.htm,
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Why care about the planet? Or about its non-human residents? Do animals have moral rights or can we use them in any way that suits us? On what foundations should we rest our concern for rain-forest, marine ecology, or natural landscapes. We will approach these questions by studying methods of philosophical analysis and the nature of moral philosophy. This background will be used to explore reasoned answers to moral issues concerning the growth of human population, consumption of natural resources, animal rights, and the moral status of nature and species.
TEXTS: Richard G. Botzler,
Environmental Ethics (2nd ed., 1998)
Lecture
Outlines are intended primarily as aids to
the understanding of the lectures and readings. They do not cover all
of the material on which you may be tested, and they do not contain
complete accounts of the topics that are covered in lectures and
readings. Merely memorizing the handouts will not enable you to pass
the course. Additional handouts may be distributed in class and/or
posted on the web. If you miss a class, make sure that you will have
copies of any handout distributed in the class (whenever possible,
I will post them on my site).
COURSE ORGANIZATION : Class meetings will consist of both lectures and discussions. Questions, discussions, disagreements and arguments is expected and strongly encouraged at any time. Thus, we will allow ourselves to spend more time on an issue if we think it deserves the attention.
OBJECTIVES : Content: You
should acquire some level of understanding of a variety of issues in
moral theory and various moral problems surrounding nature and
environment.
Skills: The course should develop a degree of proficiency in
recognizing, evaluating and constructing moral arguments on more than
one side of a moral issue.
Motivation: I hope you will acquire an interest in moral thought and
problems, which will lead you to continue thinking about
philosophical issues, and develop your own views on a variety of
moral issues.
REQUIREMENTS: Complete the assigned readings before the class for which they are assigned. Unless it is a case of demonstrable emergency, attend every class, arrive to class on time and remain in class until it is over. Complete all graded assignments.
GRADED WORK:
20% -- 1st test
20% -- 2nd test
25% -- The final
35% - A number of short assignments (including quizzes, homework,
case studies, summaries, etc.)
ATTENDANCE POLICY: You can miss 3 classes without penalty. Each additional unexcused absence will result in the subtraction of 3 points from your overall grade. Coming to class significantly late, or leaving early, counts as ½ of missed class. Grading will be on the standard scale 90-100% = A, 80-89% = B, etc.
MAKE-UP TESTS AND INCOMPLETES: Students who miss a test for a good reason will have a chance to take a make-up during the week after the original test, at a time arranged with the instructor. An incomplete for the course is possible only in cases where course work is nearly complete, and the student has a good excuse for not completing the course work by the end of the semester.
SCHEDULE (All readings are from "Environmental Ethics...", unless otherwise indicated)
August
September
October
November
December [TBA]
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