For extra credit

For extra credit (TOTALLY OPTIONAL)

Option 1: Select any work from "Ethical Theory: A Reader" (http://www.upscsuccess.com/sites/default/files/documents/Ethical_Theory_An_Anthology_@nadal.pdf) (you may not choose any excerpt from a work we have already read in class--for instance, don't choose the excerpt from John Rawls' A Theory of Justice) read it thoroughly, and then in an essay of 500-750 words summarize it and connect it to at least one of our non-textbook readings this semester.  Create a new section in your e-portfolio and place this essay there.  No later than Friday, November 28, at 11:59 PM, email me the essay and copy and paste it on your e-portfolio.  If you do this in a satisfactory manner, you will earn a boost of 1/3 of one grade on your ENTIRE final portfolio.

Option 2: Go to a panel, forum, rally, speech, film screening, or similar event focused on a matter of equity and justice (might include matters related to housing, food justice, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, healthcare, race, freedom of religion, and so on).  This calendar might be helpful, but not all events will necessarily work, and you are definitely not limited to events on this calendar.  In an essay of 500-750 words, report on the event (describe it in detail!), examine the moral philosophy ideas raised in the event, and reflect on your own experience (what was it like for you?).  Create a new section in your e-portfolio and place this essay there.  No later than Friday, November 28, at 11:59 PM, email me the essay and copy and paste it on your e-portfolio.  If you do this in a satisfactory manner, you will earn a boost of 1/3 of one grade on your ENTIRE final portfolio.

You may even do both options, if you like!

Readings for November 13

Please read the following for class on November 13

Augustine of Hippo on just war

Ambrose Bierce, A Horseman In The Sky

T. Hoffman, summary of Childress' Just-War Criteria

Leo Tolstoy, Address to the Swedish Peace Congress

G.E.M. Anscombe, War and Murder

"With Drone Warfare, America Approaches the Robo-Rubicon"


OPTIONAL: Childress, Just-War Criteria

ALSO OPTIONAL: A feminist ethical perspective on weapons of mass destruction

Please note: the readings for this coming week (11/4 and 11/6) were distributed in class.  Some of them are not available online, and so there will be no online version.  Please pick them up outside my office (B-300-K) if you did not pick them up in class Thursday or Tuesday.

This week, I will not be holding my usual office hours on Monday 11:30-12:30 and Tuesday 2:30-3:30.

Instead, this week my office hours will be:

Monday:4pm-5pm
Tuesday: by appointment
Wednesday: 11:30-12:30
Thursday: 2:30-3:30. 

I am also available by appointment on Friday afternoon.

Readings for week of 10/28 and 10/30

Along with Chapter 6 of Justice, for class on 10/28 and 10/30 please read:

Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut
Excerpts from A Theory of Justice by John Rawls

Tomorrow, Thursday October 16, we will hear short (1-2 minutes) speeches about your service projects.  Pay attention to telling us WHAT you are doing, the STEPS you have taken to execute your act of service, what INTERESTED you in the activity you chose, and WHY your project makes the world a better place, morally speaking.

On Tuesday, October 21, please bring to class TWO PAPER COPIES of a draft of an essay you are working on as one of your five essays for your portfolio.  We'll work together to improve it in class.

Then, revise it according to the suggested improvements, and on Thursday, October 23, bring to class TWO PAPER COPIES of the revised essay, for further improvements.

Peter Singer, Effective Altruism
Slavoj Zizek, First as Tragedy, Then as Farce