Major Assignments

First Essay:

The first essay asks you to respond to the one ethical issue you have encountered online (we will explore these topics first with in class writing). The essay should be 3-5 pages, doublespaced and in a standard font.

I will look for specific examples and clear reasoning. You must apply one of the two philosophical approaches outlined in our textbook to the problem you have encountered.

Final Essay:

The final essay is linked to an essay from your English 101 course. For Phil 112, this will be a 5-6 page essay asking you examine one of the three major issues discussed in class: privacy, property, or social effects of technology. Of course, each of these topics is by itself far too general for a 5 page essay. You will need to identify a specific problem in one of these general areas, describe the problem, analyze the ethical questions at issue, and provide well-reasoned answers to the questions you've identified. As with the first essay, the topics will be explored with in class writing).

Minor Assignments

In class writings:

Although short (1-2 pages), the in class writings will provide the topics for your major essays in this course. The writings will generally be in response to the assigned reading for the day, and will be done at the start of the class period (before we have discussed the readings). These short writings are intended to capture your thoughts on the issues; they also provide evidence of your how closely you are readings and thinking about the assigned readings.

Exams and Quizzes

"Midterm" quiz:

This in class quiz will cover the two philosophical theories, terminology, and specific cases from the textbook.

Final Exam:

The final exam will be conducted on the last day of class. It will be cumulative, covering the philosophy, terminology, and specific cases covered over the full four weeks of the course.