Dr. Judith Barad

PHIL 303, Ethics and Animals

SYLLABUS

 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND APPROACH

 

Students will be made aware of the extent of the relation between human and non-human animals and seriously consider the concept of animal rights.  In order to vividly display some of these relationships, films will be shown to complement the readings.  Students will explore the question whether there is any plausible justification for granting rights to human animals that does not serve as a plausible justification for granting rights to non-human animals. Since the exploitation of non-human animals is taken for granted in our society, this course will challenge the student's ordinary, daily assumptions.  Hopefully, the course will sensitize the student to the interests of others that do not belong to his/her group.  What criteria should be used to determine whether an individual has rights? The examination of these questions should make the student aware that he/she belongs to a larger community than the student had previously supposed.

 

TEXTBOOK

 

The Case for Animal Rights by Tom Regan

 

OFFICE HOURS AND PHONE

 

Office:  Root Hall A-138C

Office Hours:   Tuesday:  12:30 -- 1:30

                        Thursday:  8:30 -- 10:45 and 12:30 -- 1:45

                        Monday and Wednesday by appointment

Office Phone:  237-3102.  You should call me with any questions you have about our class work, assignments, or personal concerns about your progress in the course.  If I am not in my office, please leave your name, telephone number, and the best time to reach you.

Email:  pibarad@isugw.indstate.edu

 

EVALUATION AND GRADES

                                   

1.  You will be expected to participate in class discussions and raise questions.  It must be   

     noted that one cannot participate unless one attends class. Thus, attendance is    

     mandatory.  If you have three unexcused absences, your grade will be lowered by one

     full letter.  Five unexcused absences warrant automatic failure. An absence is excused if

     the professor is informed of the student's absence at least half an hour before class,     

     either by telephone or message.  Please do not hand the professor written medical

     excuses after an absence.  If you are absent, you are responsible for obtaining class

     information.

 

2.  All students are required to hand in two typewritten papers. The midterm paper must 

     be at least 5 pages in length and the final term paper, to be turned in at a specific date

     during finals week, must be at least 8 pages in length.  These papers should adhere to

     instructions provided on the philosophy paper requirement sheet.

 

 

(Phil 303, Ethics and Animals, Page two)

 

3.  Extra credit papers may be submitted for extra credit.  Each paper must be at least three 

     pages long and address the reading assigned in the previous class.  No late extra credit

     papers will be accepted.

 

4.  If you keep up with the readings, follow the written instructions on both papers and take

     responsibility for attendance in class, you should receive a passing grade in this course.

     If you have trouble with the readings please see come see me.

 

5. The professor reserves the right to adjust and or revise the daily syllabus when appropriate

    to course progress.  She will inform you of the adjustments when they occur.

 

6.  Late Policy.  The midterm paper may be handed in late, but the grade will decrease the

     later it is returned to the professor.  The final paper should not be handed in late. 

     Failure to turn it in on time will result in the grade being lowered by two letter grades.         

     For example, an 'A' paper will become a 'C' and a 'C' will become an 'F."

 

7.  Grading will be as follows:

 

Midterm paper ( 5 page minimum)                                      30%

Final paper ( 8 page minimum)                                           37%

Participation                                                                      33%

 

                                               Grade Chart

 

A = 9

B = 6

C = 3

A- = 8

B- = 5

D+ = 2

B+ = 7

C+ = 4

D = 1

 

To determine your grade:

 

a.  Find the numerical grade your letter grade corresponds to.

 

b.  Multiply that grade by the percentage it is worth of your overall grade. For example,

     an 'A-' on your midterm paper corresponds to eight (8 ) points.  Multiply 8 by 30%     

     (the percentage of your overall grade the paper is worth) and you will find you have

     achieved a total of 2.40 points for that paper.

 

c.  Add up all your grades using the same process for each paper. For example: 

 

                        Midterm                     (A-)                      2.40

                                    Final Paper                (B+)                     2.59

                                    Participation               (B)                      1.98

                              Extra Credit ( 3 )       3 X 0.50                    1.50

                                                                                                  8.47

     The student will receive an A- for the class.

 

 

 

PHIL 303, Ethics and Animals

 

 

 

 

COURSE  OUTLINE

 

 

January          15        Introduction to the Course (Film)

                        22        Ethical Thinking, pp. 122-136

                        29        The Nature of Animals, pp. 3-9; 34-46; 57-58

                       

February        5          Autonomy, Interests and Benefits, pp. 84-99                    

                      12          Euthanasia, pp. 99-103; 109-110; 111-120

                      19          Kantz, pp. 174-185; Utilitarianism, pp. 195-206

                      26          Justice, Respect for Individuals, pp. 232-245; 248-250; 258-263

 

March             5         Rights, pp. 267-273; 276-280; 286-287

                        12        Innocence, pp. 291-307

                        26        Animal Rights, pp. 307-315; 322-329.  Midterm Paper Due

 

April               2         Issues

                                    Vegetarianism (Film)

                         9         Trapping and Hunting, pp. 353-363

                        16        Vivisection, pp. 363-382

                        23        Vivisection

                        30        Other Issues

                        Finals Week                 Final Paper Due