BARBADOS
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
DIVISION OF GENERAL/CONTINUING EDUCATION
Deputy Principal:Dr. Sylvia Hackett
COURSE CODE: CORE 101
LONG TITLE: ETHICS AND CITIZENSHIP
CONTACT HOURS: 45 HOURS
CREDITS: 3 (THREE)
TUTORS: Mrs. Hazel J. Burke, M.A./
E-MAIL: hburke@bcc.edu.bb
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This
course constitutes a study of moral philosophy and its application to
life. The student is exposed to moral
issues which are personal, vocational, social and topical. An analysis is made of moral principles,
decisions and actions with a view to establishing a norm for moral conduct and
a view to formulating a sound philosophy of life. The moral qualities which are necessary for good citizenship are
examined.
GENERAL OBJECTIVES
To
foster in students an awareness of and an appreciation for moral and spiritual
values and to use the highest values in decision-marking.
To
provide students with the opportunity to examine the basis of their moral
behaviour, the moral behaviour of others and of societies.
To
give students the opportunity to formulate a sound philosophy of life and to
display consistency in making moral choices.
To
encourage students to accept moral responsibility for their actions and
decisions and to display tolerance and consideration for others.
To
cultivate in students a sense of their moral obligation to society through
positive participation as responsible citizens who are fully aware of the
mutual rights and obligations of all persons.
To
encourage students to arrive at an awareness of their own accountability to
their fellow man and at an acceptance of justice.
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
This
course primarily follows a lecture/discussion format. Other methods include guest lectures, presentations and aural and
visual stimuli.
METHODS OF EVALUATION
A
minimum of one (1) Mid-term test and one (1) research paper will form the basis
of the semester’s assessment. The final
grade will be based on a combination of work assessed during the semester and
during the final examination. The final
examination is 2 ½ hour’s duration. The semester’s assignments grade is
equivalent to forty percent (40%) of the final mark; the examination grade is
equivalent to sixty percent (60%) of the final mark.
UNIT 1 INTRODUCTION: ETHICS
AND MORALS
Terms such as ethics and morality, right and good
will be defined.
Distinctions between normative ethics and
meta-ethics, science and ethics
and morality and social convention will be
established.
UNIT 2 THE HISTORY OF ETHICS: GREEK PHILOSOPHY
The ethical philosophy of Plato, Aristotle,
Hedonism/Epicureanism, and Stoicism
will be examined.
UNIT 3 THE BASIS OF
MORAL BEHAVIOUR: HUMAN NATURE
Theories of the moral nature of human beings will be
examined e.g. Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Arthur Schopenhauer, Thomas Hobbes, Joseph
Butler, John Locke, St. Augustine, John Calvin.
The relationship of conscience and reason to human
nature will be explored.
Theories such as natural law and rationalism will be
studied.
UNIT 4 THE BASIS OF
MORAL BEHAVIOUR: VALUES AND VIRTUES
Terms such as values and virtues will be clearly defined.
The relationship between human nature and values/virtues will be examined. The
biblical origin of values/virtues, and the emphasis placed on virtues by Plato,
Aristotle, the stoics etc. will be studied.
The importance of values/virtues in formulating a sound philosophy of
life will be highlighted.
UNIT 5 HISTORY OF
ETHICS: MODERN PHILOSOPHY
Kantian ethics, utilitarianism, ethical egoism,
ethical relativism and situationism will be examined.
UNIT 6 THE HISTORY OF
ETHICS: RELIGIOUS ETHICS
The main beliefs and practice of Judaism,
Christianity and Islam will be examined.
UNIT 7 CITIZENSHIP AND
HUMAN RIGHTS
The characteristics of citizenship and the principles
of human rights will be addressed.
UNIT 8 CONTEMPORARY
MORAL ISSUES: RESPECT FOR LIFE
This unit will focus on topics such as abortion,
capital punishment euthanasia, suicide, war.
Unit 9 CONTEMPORARY MORAL ISSUES: FAMILY LIFE
This unit will focus on topics such as marriage,
monogamy, polygamy, common law relationships, divorce, single parenthood.
UNIT 10 CONTEMPORARY MORAL ISSUES: HUMAN SEXUALITY
This unit will focus on topics such as pre-marital sex, extra-marital sex, promiscuity, homosexuality, contraception.
Unit 11 CONTEMPORARY
MORAL ISSUES: BIOETHICS
This unit will focus on topics such as genetic
engineering, transplantation, in-vitro fertilization.
UNIT 12 CONTEMPORARY MORAL ISSUES: POLITICAL/ECONOMIC/SOCIAL ISSUES
This unit will focus on topics such as politics,
employment, discrimination - racial and gender, HIV/AIDS, drug abuse, gambling
etc.
Sahakian,
William. Ethics: An Introduction to
Theories and Problems. New
York: Barnes and Noble, 1974.
Singer,
Peter, ed. Applied Ethics. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1986.
Other
Material:
Newspaper
articles, magazine articles, books, films, WWW, handouts.
