Course Syllabus: Applied Professional Ethics Phi 1631

COURSE SYLLABUS: APPLIED PROFESSIONAL ETHICS PHI 1631

Welcome to Applied Professional Ethics, PHI 1631! I am looking forward to having each of you in my class. This Ethics class will take place in a face-to-face format, focusing on ethical issues in the business environment. Please read this syllabus carefully before our first class, and email me with any questions or comments. The syllabus is your guide to the class – keep it handy and refer to it as needed for assignments, due dates, requirements and grading. Additional information can be found under the Lessons tab in ANGEL. Good luck and have a great semester!

INSTRUCTOR: Name: Susan Calistri Boesger Contact Information: Phone: (727) 341-4335 and Email: [email protected] Office Hours/Instructor Availability: ½ hour before class Office Location: Classroom (TBD) Instructor Web Page: http://it.spcollege.edu/course_info/show_course.cfm?ident=8367

ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT: Department Director: Barbara Grano Office Location: SPC Gibbs Office Number: 341-4335 Applied Ethics Website: www. appliedethicsinstitute.org

COURSE INFORMATION: Course Description: This course is a practical overview of key issues, questions and concepts in applied ethics. Special emphases are placed on the historical development of ethical thinking, a variety of ethical approaches and on professional and business aspects of ethics. Students will also examine a variety of ethical issues and problems and learn methods of resolving them through the use of critical thinking skills, sound ethical reasoning and legal and professional codes. Students are provided an active learning experience, increased student interaction, and opportunities for independent study into ethical issues of personal interest. This course has a Gordon Rule writing requirement. This course meets the college’s general education requirement for applied ethics. Credit is not given for both PHI 1631 and any of the following courses: PHI 1602, PHI 1603, PHI 1600, PHI 2621, PHI 2622, or PHI 2649. Course Goals: The student will understand the historical development of ethical thinking, considering ideas from early Greek to contemporary philosophies. The student will recognize and analyze a variety of ethical issues when confronted with examples of situations containing such issues. The student will identify the business-related aspects of ethics. The student will identify and apply critical thinking skills, ethical principles, and logical reasoning processes to resolve ethical issues. Course Objectives: Prerequisites (Course & Skill Set): REA0002 and ENC0010, or satisfactory score on the SPC placement test.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK & OTHER RESOURCE INFORMATION:

Required Text: 1 Goree, Keith; Manias, Nicholas, & Till, Jane (2009), Ethics Applied, Edition 6.0, New York: Pearson.

Previous editions of Ethics Applied cannot be used for the course.

This book comes in three formats; all formats have the same content. Only use one of these do not buy all of them. Traditional Book - ISBN: 0558054544 or eBook - ISBN: 0558806201 or Bundle – ISBN: 0558738931

Recommended Text or Other Reading Material: Library: http://www.spcollege.edu/central/libonline/.

MEETING INFORMATION: Course Location: SPC Gibbs, classroom TBD; and online Meeting Days: Tuesdays; weekly online Class Times: 5:30-6:45pm

IMPORTANT DATES: Course Dates: August 22, 2011 to December 16, 2011 Drop/Add: August 26, 2011 Withdrawal Date: October 27, 2011 Financial Aid: http://www.spcollege.edu/central/SSFA/HomePage/calendar.htm

* Please note, if this is your third time taking the course, you cannot withdraw (State of Florida regulation), and not meeting the attendance requirement will result in a grade of WF. Students who abandon the course or do not withdraw themselves by the drop deadline are subject to receive a grade of WF.

DISCIPLINE SPECIFIC INFORMATION:

CLASSROOM AND ONLINE BEHAVIOR: Diversity is a valued benefit of the college experience. Diversity of culture, age, gender, traditions, religious and political beliefs, and education level will provide a rich learning environment. Courtesy is required – and each student is expected to demonstrate respect for each other in accordance with the SPC Code of Conduct. Inappropriate language or inappropriate behavior is not tolerated. In a course of this nature, the discussion of controversial issues should reveal different points of view – understanding that there are differing worldviews concerning the human condition is the very essence of this class. All cell phones and electronic devices must be turned off during class and be put out of sight. Please see www.spjc.edu/webcentral/admit/sturesp.htm#conduct.

ACADEMIC HONESTY: St. Petersburg College has an Academic Honesty policy. It is your responsibility to be familiar with the policies, rules, and the consequences of violations. Read about the policy at: http://www.spcollege.edu/webcentral/admit/honesty.htm. There is NO tolerance for cheating and academic dishonesty. Discipline can range from a zero on that specific assignment 2 to expulsion from the class with a grade of F. Note that copy/pasting published information, whether it's from your textbook or the Internet, without citing your source is plagiarism and violates this policy. Even if you change the words slightly, the ideas are someone else's so you still have to cite your sources. Cheating, plagiarism, bribery, misrepresentation, conspiracy and fabrication are defined in Rule 6Hx23-4.461, Student Affairs: Academic Honesty Guidelines, Classroom Behavior. All students will complete an academic honesty quiz on-line and must receive a grade of 100% prior to turning in any Gordon Rule assignments.

ATTENDANCE:

The college-wide attendance policy is included in the Syllabus Addendum http://www.spcollege.edu/central/asa/addendum.htm. The policy notes that each instructor is to exercise professional judgment and define “active participation” in class (and therefore “attendance”), and publish that definition in each syllabus.

For this class, attendance is defined as regular class attendance sufficient to show active participation in the class. Excessive absence is defined as more than four unexcused absences throughout the semester.

Generally speaking, I will adhere to the college’s policy on attendance. Any student who is late will be marked “absent”; it is the student’s responsibility to ensure that he or she notifies me after class to change the “absent” to “tardy.” Absences are not excuses to turn in late assignments. I generally tolerate no late assignments (please see grading information, below). A student may discuss the possibility of an excused absence if warranted; however an excused absence does not necessarily prevent a late assignment from being marked down.

GRADING:

Your final grade in this class will be based on the points you earn on assignments, papers, projects, quizzes and participation. There are 300 total points available for the semester, not counting extra credit (if offered). Late assignments will be marked down. The final grades will be determined as follows:

1. Code of Ethics Essay 50 pts. (500 words) 2. Quizzes (5@10 points each) 50 pts. 3. Critical Thinking/Application Paper 100 pts. (2000 words) 3. Business Project and Presentation 100 pts. 4. Final Exam 50 pts. 350 pts. 300 pts. (max)

Extra Credit: (May earn up to 15 points for extra credit work) 6. Visit and report on Florida Holocaust Museum 1 visit only - 5 pts. max 55 Fifth St. South 727-820-0100

3 7. Participate in the Community Service Project 10 hours, in lieu of final exam grade (must get instructor's permission)

GRADING: I assign grades based on total points earned at the end of the semester. The top score in the class earns 100% of 350 points; I calculate cutoffs for A, B, C, and D as 90, 80, 70, and 60% of the top score. You may view your “point in time” points as an estimate of your grade on ANGEL under “tools”. Please note that grades posted during the semester do not reflect 100% of the possible points; the interim scores reflect points that are due; items such as participation, final papers, extra credit, and the final exam are not calculated until the final grade is submitted. Also note that final grades for the course depend on total points earned in the class, not on letter grade equivalents. Units/assignments are due according to the syllabus and dates posted. Other than where otherwise indicated, usually one unit will be assigned each week and will open on Monday and is due the following Sunday by midnight. Units will be left open for one extra week for those who need to turn in work late due to emergencies. Those turning in unit work late will receive half credit (unless documented proof of emergency is received). After two weeks the unit closes for credit.

ASSIGNMENTS:

Code of Ethics essay: 50 points

In conjunction with the unit on Chapter 18, you will post at least 3 detailed paragraphs regarding the code of ethics for your future profession or a profession of interest to you, such as the profession for your major. (A paragraph consists of more than one or two sentences - a detailed paragraph contains even more). You will write a thoughtful analysis of the professional, governmental or corporate code of ethics for the career or occupation that you have chosen. Find your code and the professional organization of your field (see tips below), then write the analysis by:

1. First paragraph: Summarizing your code of ethics. 2. Second paragraph: Incorporating information from Chapter 18 and the Professional Organization of your field; discuss whether the code you located is a professional, governmental or corporate code. Also discuss at what level or levels do you think this code is written? Read about Raiborne and Payne’s four levels at which codes of ethics can be written. Explain why. 3. Third paragraph: Give your detailed opinion and critique of the code; is it adequate for your profession? Why or why not.

Quizzes: 50 points There will be five ten-point quizzes to be taken for this class, spread out over the course of the semester. Quizzes will be taken online via the Lessons tab in Angel, becoming available to be taken on Monday morning and unavailable by Sunday. Quiz 1: Academic Honesty Quiz 2: Chapter 3 Quiz 3: Chapter 4 Quiz 4: Chapter 5 Quiz 5: Chapter 6

Critical Thinking/Application Paper (CTAP): 100 points

4 A scenario will be given online, available under the Lessons tab in ANGEL. Using the scenario and associated grading rubric which is provided, you will have two weeks to perform the appropriate research and apply your research and the ethical principles and theories discussed in class to the scenario. 1. 2000 word MINIMUM. This is a Gordon Rule class. Gordon Rule papers are graded for content, punctuation, spelling, grammar, etc. 2. Detailed instructions for the CTAP will be provided in class and will be available on Angel. 3. The CTAP will be submitted online, via a Dropbox under the Lessons tab on ANGEL.

Final Exam: 50 points 1. The final exam will include all the chapters covered in class. 2. The final is closed-book, and will be taken online via ANGEL.

Business Project and Presentation: 100 points Students will work in groups of two, and prepare a business ethics project, the substance of which will be discussed in further detail later in the semester. Details will be available under the Lessons tab in ANGEL. All projects will be presented to the class during the final class session.

Extra Credit: Points vary as described Details will be given in class. No more than 15 additional points will be credited from extra credit work unless it is assigned as part of in-class work; this option is provided to assist individuals with diverse learning preferences and/or to bolster a poor assignment or quiz grade. Extra credit work, other than the Holocaust Museum visit, must be approved by the instructor before a student undertakes the extra credit assignment. For the Holocaust Museum visit, a student must provide the receipt for entry as proof of the visit. Any student may visit the Holocaust Museum for extra credit. Extra credit for Community Service will be at the discretion of the instructor. A student must choose an approved community service partner, and sign an agreement with the instructor prior to attempting community service. Any student who does not adhere to this rule will not receive credit for his or her community service hours. Community service hours may be in lieu of taking the final exam. Other extra credit opportunities may be provided in class.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS: The time and effort put into each assignment should be determined by its relative weight in the overall class grade. Please see specific information about each assignment above. In addition: 1. All assignments must be typed and submitted via computer. If you do not have access to a personal computer, you may use one at the campus resource center. Handwritten assignments will not be accepted. 2. All assignments must be double-spaced, in 12 point font. 3. For Gordon Rule papers, your assignment should have a cover page or header with your name, date and the word count of the paper. I will not count words, and will simply assume that your paper is short the required number of words and deduct accordingly. 5 4. Late assignments, if accepted, will be marked down and will only be accepted at the beginning of the class session following the class session in which the assignment was due, unless arrangements are made otherwise.

STUDENT SURVEY OF INSTRUCTION: The student survey of instruction is administered in courses each semester. It is designed to improve the quality of instruction at St. Petersburg College. All student responses are confidential and anonymous and will be used solely for the purpose of performance improvement.

SIGNATURE PAGE:

I have read, understand, and agree to abide fully by the parameters set in this syllabus and Syllabus Addendum.

Student Signature: Date:

6 Assignment schedule:

Week Number Presentation/Discussion Topics Items Due This Week Grade Chapter Week 1  Introductions  Academic Honesty Quiz 10 pts  Review Syllabus 1* 5 EXTRA  Introduce ANGEL  Pre-survey certificate of CREDIT  Review Chapters 1 and 2 completion due by email* POINTS  Discuss Academic Honesty Review research requirements, MLA format, etc. Week 2  Review Chapter 3  Quiz 2 10 pts

Week 3  Review Chapter 4  Quiz 3 10 pts

Week 6  Review Chapter 18  Code of Ethics Essay 50 pts Due

Week 7  Review Chapter 16

Week 8  Review Chapter 17  Distribute and discuss Critical Thinking Application Paper (CTAP)

Week 10  “Parable of the Sadhu”  Critical Thinking 100 pts Application Paper Due

7 Week Number Presentation/Discussion Topics Items Due This Week Grade Chapter

Week 14  Tentative: Guest Speaker

Week 15  Current Issues in Business Ethics

Week 16  Business Ethics Project ALL EXTRA CREDIT DUE 100 pts Presentations

Week 17 FINAL EXAM 50 pts

*ALL QUIZZES, CODE OF ETHICS ESSAY AND CTAP ARE DUE ON SUNDAY OF THE WEEK DUE, BY 5PM, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.