1. Bloomfield College
Philosophy 101B*1 – Fall 2015
Contemporary Moral Issues
Syllabus as of October 21, 2015
(Subject to Change)
Class Meeting Times: Tuesday and Thursday from 4 pm to 5:45 pm Hall in College Hall, Room 203.
Instructor: Dr. Leonard Roberts
Office of Student Affairs
208 Liberty Street, Floor 2
(973) 748-9000, ext. 1242 or 1245
leonard_roberts@bloomfield.edu
Office Hours: This Instructor is Available to Meet, Preferably by Appointment, at 208 Liberty
Street. Call ext. 1242 or send e-mail to leonard_roberts@bloomfield.edu to
schedule an appointment.
Important Notice: It is the student’s responsibility to be registered for classes through the
Registrar’s Office and cleared through the Bursar’s Office. Students who
attend classes and who are not registered and cleared properly will not be
reinstated into the class and will not receive credit.
BC Catalog Description for
PHL 101 Contemporary
Moral Issues:
Contemporary moral issues in the light of traditional and contemporary
philosophical analysis. Racial discrimination, violence, poverty and affluence,
changing moral standards, the values of a business society, and the rights,
responsibilities and problems of the individual with respect to his/her society.
Required Text: Van Camp, Julie C., Olen, Jeffrey, and Barry, Vincent. Applying Ethics: A Text
with Readings, Eleventh Edition. Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning,
2015.
ISBN-13: 978-1285196770
ISBN-10: 1285196775
Additional Readings,
Videos, Etc.
Required occasionally, these additional readings and/or videos will be provided
via Blackboard for weekly assignments.
General Education and the
Competencies:
The PRIMARY competency for this course is PROBLEM SOLVING &
CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS, which is defined as “The ability to examine,
analyze and interpret information, to question assumptions; to use inductive
and deductive reasoning; to use informal logic to develop arguments; and to
apply logic and reasoning to understand relationships, develop values, draw
verifiable conclusions, and develop a viable solution to an identifiable problem”
(BC College Catalog 2015-2016, page 47).
The SECONDARY competency for this course is COMMUNICATION SKILLS,
which is defined as “The ability to read, view and comprehend ideas and
arguments from diverse perspectives, and the ability to express ideas and
arguments effectively in oral, and visual or written forms” (BC College Catalog
2015-2016, page 47).

2. Student Learning
Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Question assumptions, evaluate the credibility and the relevance of
evidence and recognize fallacies of reasoning in a problem-solving
context as it relates specifically to problems of ethics and moral
judgement.
2. Examine, analyze, and interpret information in selected disciplinary
contexts.
3. Develop a logical argument and well-reasoned conclusion, in
particular, developing a resolution to common moral dilemmas that
are prevalent in today’s world.
4. The competencies and learning outcomes listed for this course will be
assessed via the requirements for this course.
Blackboard: The technology learning platform that College uses is called Blackboard (BB)
and it will be used in this course. Students will be required to access BB
before each class to check messages from the instructor, send messages when
needed, post required writing assignments, check for additional readings,
assigned videos, etc. Students’ access Blackboard via the BC Portal called
MyBloomfield, which is accessed by clicking on the following link MyBloomfield
BC Portal . BC Blackboard can be accessed from the direct link at
https://bb.bloomfield.edu/.
Attendance Required. Attendance will be taken at each class. Full details explained on
the first day of class.
Course Requirements The Breakdown for 100% of the Requirements are Listed as Follows:
35% = Position Papers – Due by the deadline date and to be submitted
electronically via Blackboard. Essays not submitted by the deadline date will
be reduced to the next letter grade for each day late (e.g., an essay that
received an “A” will become an “A-“ or an essay that received a “C” will
become a “C-“. Each essay is to be a minimum of 1 to 2 pages (i.e., use 12
Point Arial Font). If you use references for your essay, cite the source and
include a Reference Page (the Reference Page does not count as one of the
written pages).
10% = Periodic Quizzes (On Reading Assignments
-- Explained at First Class Meeting. Quizzes cannot be made up.)
10% = Class Participation (Explained at First Class Meeting)
15% = Midterm Exam
10% = Class Presentation – Point vs. Counterpoint
– 2 Person Group Presentation
20% = Final Exam

3. 0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Position Paper
Quiz
Partcipation
Mid-Term
Presentation
Final
Position Paper
Quiz
Partcipation
Mid-Term
Presentation
Final
Student Conduct Students are urged to review the Standards of Conduct found in the
Bloomfield College Catalog, which is found on the BC website at
http://www.bloomfield.edu/academics/course-catalog. Inappropriate behavior
can develop into an Incident Report that can result in a disciplinary action,
which can include failure of this course as well as more significant disciplinary
actions dependent on the nature of the violation.
Specific to this course, students are urged to understand the Student Bill of
Rights, Academic Integrity (i.e., Plagiarism, Cheating, and Other Forms of
Dishonesty), as well as the Code of Conduct. If you have any questions about
this info, please ask.
Classroom Behavior Cell Phones -- Cell phones must be placed on “vibrate.” Use of cell phones
within the classroom is prohibited (texting, e-mailing, recording, picture taking,
etc.). If you must make or receive an emergency phone call, please politely
excuse yourself from the classroom and return when you are finished.
Laptop Computers and Electronic Tablets (such as an I-Pad) – These
devices are permitted for note taking only. Viewing and responding to e-mail,
social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.), and surfing the web
are not permitted.
Civility and Respect – Our classroom is an environment in which all of us
are called to engage in the pursuit of academic freedom in order to learn. We
do this by engaging each other through dialogue. However, all individuals
must engage in civil behavior and respect each other’s rights that are afforded
to them in the BC College Catalog under the Student “Bill of Rights.”

4. Class # Dates Topic Assigned Readings
From Text Applying Ethics
+ Dates for Papers
1. Tuesday, 09-01 Introduction to Course
 Introductions
 Syllabus
 What is Ethics?
No Assigned readings for first class.
2. Thursday, 09-03 Moral Reasoning Moral Reasons – PP. 2 – 21 = 19
3. Tuesday, 09-08 Moral Reasoning Continued Aristotle – PP. 22- 32 = 10
Kant – PP. 33 – 39 = 06
Mill – PP. 39 – 44 = 05
4. Thursday, 09-10 Traditions in Charting the Moral Life No Readings from Applying Ethics
Review Material on Blackboard.
5. Tuesday, 09-15 Ethics Topic Issue #1
What is Sexual Morality?
Applying Ethics - PP. 74 – 84 = 10
6. Thursday, 09-17 Sexual Morality Continued The Vatican – PP. 84 – 89 = 05
Farley – PP. 90 – 93 = 03
Mappes – PP. 93 – 102 = 09
Ferguson – PP. 102 – 108 = 06
7. Tuesday, 09-22 Ethics Topic Issue #2
Discrimination
1st Position Paper Due on Sexual Morality
Before Start of Class
Applying Ethics
PP. 406 – 419 = 13
8. Thursday, 09-24 Discrimination Continued Anderson – PP. 425 – 428 = 03
Newton – PP. 428 – 432 = 04
Kahlenberg – PP. 432- 438 = 06
9. Tuesday, 09-29 Ethics Topic Issue #3
War, Terrorism, and Civil Liberties
Applying Ethics
PP. 324 – 334 = 10
10. Thursday, 10-01 War, Terrorism, and Civil Liberties Continued Walzer – PP. 334 – 342 = 08
Frey & Morris – PP. 343 – 348 = 05
11. Tuesday, 10-06 War, Terrorism, and Civil Liberties Continued 2nd Position Paper Due on Either
Discrimination
OR War, Terrorism, and Civil Liberties Before
Start of Class
Dershowitz – PP. 348 – 350 = 02
Luban – PP. 350 – 352 = 02
12. Thursday, 10-08 Mid-Term Exam Review
+ Mid-Term Exam
Midterm will cover all material from 1st class
through October 6
13. Tuesday, 10-13 Ethics Topic Issue #4
Abortion
Applying Ethics
PP. 117 – 129 = 12
Marquis – PP. 129 – 134 = 05
Thompson – PP. 134 – 145 = 11
14. Thursday, 10-15 Abortion Continued Warren – PP. 146 – 157 = 11
Manninen – PP. 157 – 170 = 13
15. Tuesday, 10-20 Abortion Continued Continue Reading:
Warren – PP. 146 – 157 = 11
Manninen – PP. 157 – 170 = 13
16. Thursday, 10-22 Ethics Topic Issue #5
Sexual Orientation
See Class Instructor’s Notes
for 10-22-15

5. “Educating the mind without educating the
heart is no education at all.”
― Aristotle
“People who try hard to do the right thing always
seem mad.”
― Stephen King, The Stand
“A person may cause evil to others not only by
his actions but by his inaction, and in either
case he is justly accountable to them for the
injury.”
― John Stuart Mill, On Liberty
“The function of education, therefore, is to teach one
to think intensively and to think critically. But
education which stops with efficiency may prove the
greatest menace to society. The most dangerous
criminal may be the man gifted with reason, but with
no morals.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.
17. Tuesday, 10-27 Ethics Topic Issue #6
Animal Rights
Applying Ethics – PP. 444 – 448 = 04
Regan – PP. 468 – 476 = 08
Cohen – PP. 476 – 483 = 07
18. Thursday, 10-29 Ethics Topic Issue #7
Environmental Issues
Applying Ethics – PP. 449 – 453 = 04
Taylor – PP. 484-494 = 10
19. Tuesday, 11-03 Ethics Topic Issue #8
-- Euthanasia
3th Position Paper Due on Either Abortion OR
Animal Rights OR Environmental Issues Before
3 pm
Applying Ethics
PP. 176 – 191 = 15
Brock – PP. 191 – 195 = 04
Velleman – 195 – 204 = 09
20. Thursday, 11-05 Euthanasia Continued Rachels – 205 – 209 = 04
Primoratz – PP. 297-302 = 05
Van Den Haag – 303 – 311 = 08
Bedau – 311 – 318 = 07
21. Tuesday, 11-10 Ethics Topic Issue #7
-- Globalization and Social Justice
Applying Ethics
PP. 359 – 368 = 11
22. Thursday, 11-12 Globalization and Social Justice Continued Singer – PP. 368 – 374 = 06
Additional Readings TBD
23. Tuesday, 11-17 Globalization and Social Justice Continued 4th Position Paper Due on Either Globalization
or Social Justice
Before Start of Class
Arnold & Bowie – PP. 374 -382 = 08
Additional Readings TBD
24. Thursday, 11-19 Globalization and Social Justice Continued Dwyer – PP. 383 – 391 = 08
Additional Readings TBD
25. Tuesday, 12-01 Class Presentations Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4
26. Thursday, 12-03 Class Presentations Groups 5, 6, 7, and 8
27. Tuesday, 12-08 Class Presentations Groups 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13
28. Thursday, 12-10 Final Class – Final Exam Prep Bring Questions for Final Exam Preparation
29. Final Exam
Period
12-14 to 12-19
Final Exam Date to Be Determined

6. “In matters of conscience, the law of the
majority has no place.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
“The answer is that there is no good answer. So as
parents, as doctors, as judges, and as a society, we
fumble through and make decisions that allow us to
sleep at night--because morals are more important
than ethics, and love is more important than law.”
― Jodi Picoult, My Sister's Keeper
Important Dates for the Fall Semester 2015
First Day of Classes August 31
Labor Day (No Classes) September 7
Last day for New & Continuing Students to Register:
Last day for Registered Students to be Added to an Open Course (Instructor’s Approval
Required):
Last day for Removal of Incomplete Grades from Spring and Summer 2015 Terms September 11
Mid-Term Grades Due October 16
Last Day to Withdraw with Grade of “W” November 1
Advising and Registration for Spring 2016 Begins November 16
Thanksgiving Recess Begins at 10:00 P.M. November 23
Classes Resume November 30
Last Day of Classes December 12
Final Exam Period December 14-19
Grades Due in Registrar’s Office December 22