Honors 202
HNRS 202
Topics in Ethical Inquiry - Honors
1. Catalog Entry
HNRS 202
Topics in Ethical Inquiry - Honors
Credit hours (3)
Prerequisites: HNRS 201
Further development in students’ skills in critical thinking, information literacy, and written and oral communication. This course includes a broad introduction to ethical theories and methods of ethical reasoning. Students will strengthen their skills in the recognition, analysis, and evaluation of written and oral arguments. Students will work in teams to effectively solve ethical problems or dilemmas.
Note(s): This course has been approved for Core Curriculum credit in University Core A.
2. Detailed Description of Course
This course continues the emphasis of the Core sequence on the composing process, the relationship between reading, thinking, writing, and speaking, and on the rhetorical principles that inform successful oral and written communication. Students will become familiar with the major methods of ethical reasoning, including deontology, utilitarianism, care-based ethics, and virtue ethics. Students will research and evaluate the ethical arguments supporting the viewpoints in a major ethical issue, ultimately creating arguments of their own to support an ethical conviction.
The course will include a major project that requires students to work in teams to use the ethical decision-making framework to explore an ethical issue and formulate a position or a solution. Students will also continue to develop their reading skills by analyzing and critiquing arguments regarding ethical issues.
3. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Each section of the course will be designed around a theme chosen by the instructor that will guide the choice of readings, assignment topics, and other classroom activities. Course themes are selected to promote ethical inquiry and develop skills in oral communication, written communication, information literacy, and technology literacy.
The University Core A Handbook is a required text. Instructors may choose additional readings in order to develop the theme of the course.
Required projects for course completion:
Ethical Analysis Essay
In this project, students will critique an argument on an ethical issue.
Objectives
1) Apply critical reasoning to an ethical issue
2) Utilize reasons and arguments appropriate to debate over an ethical issue
3) Use tone, mechanics and style appropriate to an academic audience
Group Project and Presentation
In this project, students will work as teams to propose a solution to or make a decision about an ethical dilemma or problem.
Objectives
1) Recognize an ethical issue
2) Apply major ethical perspectives to the issue
3) Examine the consequences for others of one’s decision or position on an ethical issue
4) Find facts related to an ethical issue
5) Identify criteria to consider in relation to options
6) Research stakeholder positions
Group Communication Evaluation
Students will communicate effectively in groups as evaluated by their team members.
Objectives
1) Contribute to team meetings
2) Facilitate the contribution of team members
3) Foster a constructive team climate
4) Respond effectively to conflict
4. Goals and Objectives of the Course
This course combines the goals and objectives of the four Core A areas, which are to be fulfilled by the entire Core A sequence. Developmental outcomes for each course have been constructed according to these goals:
Upon completion of University Core A, Radford University students will have achieved competency in four key concept areas: written communications, oral communication, critical thinking, and information literacy.
Goal 1: Radford University students will be able to prepare coherent and well-written essays that effectively integrate material from a variety of sources. By the complete of Honors 202, Radford University Students will be able to:
1) Use tone, mechanics, and style appropriate to an academic audience
Goal 2: Radford University students will be able to deliver an effective and organized oral presentation and appropriately communicate in interpersonal and small group settings. By the completion of Honors 202, the Radford University students will be able to:
1) Contribute to team meetings
2) Facilitate the contribution of team members
3) Foster a constructive team climate
4) Respond effectively to conflict
Goal 3: Radford University students will learn to distinguish knowledge from opinion, challenge ideas, and develop reasonable strategies for belief formation. By the completion of Honors 202, Radford University students will be able to:
1) Distinguish ethical from non-ethical kinds of reasons and motivation
2) Apply critical reasoning to an ethical issue
3) Utilize reasons and arguments appropriate to debate over an ethical issue
4) Recognize an ethical issue
5) Apply major ethical perspectives to the issue
6) Examine the consequences for others of one’s decision or position on an ethical issue
7) Identify criteria to consider in relation to options
Goal 4: Radford University students will be able to locate, evaluate, and cite information. By the completion of Honors 202, Radford University students will be able to:
1) Find facts related to an ethical issue
2) Research stakeholder positions
5. Assessment Measures
Students will produce formal and informal texts, spoken and written, which will be graded according to a set of rubrics designed with the outcomes in mind. For program assessment, a designated set of assignments will be gathered of the students’ work to be assessed at the completion of the Core A sequence.
6. Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
April 23, 2014