PHRE 202
PHRE 202: Current Topics in Ethical Inquiry
Prerequisites: CORE 201 or the equivalent
Credit Hours: (3)
Examination of an ethical topic/issue with a focus on the relationship between reading, writing, and thinking and on the rhetorical principles that inform successful oral and written communication. This course can be used to substitute for CORE 202 - Topics in Ethical Inquiry.
Detailed Description of Course
To fulfill the requirements for CORE 202, this course will explore ethical issues from a philosophical perspective, or a perspective involving multi-disciplinary studies of religion in the contemporary world. The course will continue the emphasis of the Core sequence on the composing process, the relationship between reading, writing, and thinking, and on the rhetorical principles that inform successful oral and written communication. Students will become familiar with the major methods of ethical reasoning and will research and evaluate ethical arguments supporting competing viewpoints related to the particular topic and issues on which the instructor is focusing. In addition, the course will include a mjor team project that uses the ethical decision-making framework of the Core Handbook to explore the ethical issue and formulate a position or a solution.
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
This course will use the newest version of the Core Handbook (2014) in order to address the Core requirements for the course. Other texts will be chosen by the instructor that address the coure's theme.
Each instructor will choose an ethical theme that will guide the choice of additional readings, assignment topics, and classroom activities. Required projects for the course will include:
1) Ethical Analysis Essay in which students will critique an argument on an ethical issue.
2) Group Project and Presentation in which students will work as teams to propose a solution to or make a decision about an ethical dilemma or problem.
3) Group Communication Evaluation by the rest of each student's discretion.
Other essays, quizzes, or projects may be added at teh instructor's discretion. The course may be delivered face-to-face or online (either synchronously or asynchronously).
Student Goals and Objectives of the Course
Radford University students will be able to:
1) Prepare coherent and well-written essays that effectively integrate material from a variety of sources
2) Deliver an effective and organized oral presentation and appropraitely communicate in itnerpersonal and small group settings
3) Learn and distinguish knowledge from opinion, challenge ideas, and develop reasonable strategies for belief formation
4) Locate, evaluate, and cite information
Students will be able to:
1) Critically analyze the thics of domestic or global issues.
a. Apply critical reasoning to the issue;
b. Utilize reasons and arguments;
c. Construct an essay or group presentation addressing the issue.
2) Evaluate ethical issues from a variety of persepctives in order to develop policy prescriptions for citizens and real-world decision makers.
a. Apply critical reasoning to the issue;
b. Utilize reasons and arguments;
c. Construct an essay or group presentation addressing the issue.
3) Prepare coherent and well-written essays that effectively use tone, mechanics, and style appropriate to an academic audience
a. Use tone, mechanics, and style appropriate to an academic audience.
4) Deliver an effective and organized oral presentation and appropriately communicate in interpersonal and small group settings.
a. Contribute to team meetings;
b. Facilitate the contribution of team members;
c. Foster a constructive team climate;
d. Respond effectively to conflict
5) Distinguish knowledge from opinion, challenge ideas, and develop reasonable strategies for belief formation:
a. Apply critical reasoning to en thical issue;
b. Utilize reasons and arguments appropriate to debate over an ethical issue;
c. Recognize an ethical issue;
d. Apply major ethical perspectives to the issue;
e. Examine the consequences for others of one's decision or position on an ethical issue;
f. identify criteria to consider in relation to options.
6) Locate evaluate, and cite information.
a. Find facts related to ethical issues;
b. Research stakeholder positions.
Assessment Measures
The assignments will address the CORE learning outcomes. 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 and student work will be collected, and artifacts will be sent to the office for Academic Assessment.
Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
April 21, 2017