Environmental Ethics Philosophy 394 Spring 2012 Syllabus MWF 2:00 2:50 PM Kanaka ole Hall 111 Dr. Timothy J. Freeman Old Gymn #2 office: 933-9920 cell: 345-5231 Catalog course description Phil 394 Environmental Ethics *WI* The study of ethical problems with regard to the relationship between human beings and the natural world. Topics include questions concerning intrinsic values of nature, rights of non-human species and the environment, and duties to sentient and organic life, endangered species and ecosystems. *This is a writing intensive course.* Required Text Environmental Ethics: The Big Questions. David R. Keller ed. Wiley-Blackwell, 2010. WEB site http://tfreeman.net/philosophy/394.html
Spring 2012 Environmental Ethics Syllabus Course Content This course will provide an in-depth introduction to the field of environmental ethics. The course will cover a range of issues including the relationship between the human and nonhuman world, whether or not nonhuman nature has inherent rights, Deep Ecology, Social Ecology, Ecological Feminism, Political Action, the problems posed by overpopulation, economic policy and globalization. We will examine a number of key texts in the development of environmental ethics. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES [Philosophy courses for GE purposes]: (As with all Philosophy courses) Students who successfully complete the course will be able to:!respond clearly, logically and critically to examination questions and discussion questions about some important philosophical issues relevant to the course;!read, comprehend, and discuss philosophical texts relevant to the course;!compose effective written materials that assimilate, synthesize and reflect on course information;!identify and describe in writing and in class discussion some important aspects of the cultural heritage and contributions of Western philosophy. grading policy The final grade will be based on the following 1. Four 2-3 page written responses to the readings (10% each) 2. One oral presentation (10%) 3. One 8-10 page Term Paper Essay (50%) Attendance is important! More than 3 unexcused absences will negatively impact your grade for the course. Every fourth unexcused absence will result in 10 points deducted from the final grade average. Grading will be determined according to the following scale: A 95-100 Excellent A 90-94 B+ 87-89 B 84-86 Good B 80-83 C+ 77-79 C 74-76 Satisfactory C 70-73 D 60-70 Poor F 0-59 Failure
Spring 2012 Environmental Ethics Syllabus Course format Classroom sessions will be both lecture and discussion. classroom policies All students are expected to come to class on time and to bring their books as well as paper and pen suitable for taking notes of class lectures. Laptop computers, active cellular telephones or paging or texting devices are not permitted in class. No consumption of food is allowed during the class period. Advising Statement Advising is a very important resource designed to help students complete the requirements of the University and their individual majors. Students should consult with their advisor at least once a semester to decide on courses, check progress towards graduation, and discuss career options and other educational opportunities provided by UH-Hilo. Advising is a shared responsibility, but students have final responsibility for meeting degree requirements. Special needs Any student with a documented disability who would like to request for accommodations should contact the Disability Services Office at (808) 933-0816 (Voice), 808) 933-3334 (TTY), or uds@hawaii.edu, Hale Kauanoe A Wing Lounge, as early in the semester as possible. Student Conduct Code All students are expected to adhere to the Student Conduct Code as explained in the 2011-2012 UH Hilo Catalogue.
Spring 2012 Environmental Ethics Course Schedule Week 1: Introduction to Environmental Ethics M 01/09 Course Introduction and Orientation W 01/11 What is Environmental Ethics? (Environmental Ethics 1-23) F 01/13 Why Study Environmental Ethics? (Environmental Ethics 27-56) Week 2: Anthropocentrism M 01/16 *Holiday: Martin Luther King Jr. Day* W 01/18 Aquinas, Bacon, Descartes and Newton (Environmental Ethics 59-72) F 01/20 Mill, Locke, Kant, Beckerman and Pasek (Environmental Ethics 72-88) Week 3: Critique of Anthropocentrism M 01/23 Thoreau, Muir, and Sylvan (Environmental Ethics 91-103) W 01/25 Passmore, Stone, and O Neill (Environmental Ethics 103-129) F 01/27 Rolston, Midgley (Environmental Ethics 130-142) Week 4: Polycentrism M 01/30 Ferré (Environmental Ethics 149-161) W 02/01 Regan and Singer (Environmental Ethics 161-175) F 02/03 Taylor and Sterba (Environmental Ethics 175-192) Week 5: Ecocentrism M 02/06 Leopold (Environmental Ethics 193-201) W 02/08 Callicott (Environmental Ethics 201-210) F 02/10 Lovelock (Environmental Ethics 211-212) Week 6: Deep Ecology M 02/13 Naess (Environmental Ethics 223-234) W 02/15 McLaughlin (Environmental Ethics 235-239) F 02/17 Naess and Fox (Environmental Ethics 240-251) Week 7: Continental Philosophy M 02/20 *Holiday: Presidents Day* W 02/22 Nietzsche online reading F 02/24 Nietzsche online reading Week 8: Continental Philosophy M 02/27 Heidegger online reading W 02/29 Heidegger online reading F 03/02 Vogel (Environmental Ethics 257-267)
Spring 2012 Environmental Ethics Course Schedule Week 9: Asian Philosophy M 03/05 Daoism online reading W 03/07 Mahayana Buddhism online reading F 03/09 Zen online reading Week 10: Political Environmental Ethics M 03/12 Bookchin and O Connor (Environmental Ethics 268-281) W 03/14 Warren and Merchant (Environmental Ethics 281-300) F 03/16 Plumwood (Environmental Ethics 300-310) Week 11: Direct Action M 03/19 Foreman (Environmental Ethics 327-333) W 03/21 The Ethics of Ecological Sabotage (Environmental Ethics 333-336) F 03/23 Discussion *Spring Break: March 26-30* Week 12: Ecological Science and Environmental ethics M 04/02 Sears, Soulé and Sagoff (Environmental Ethics 377-400) W 04/04 Calicott and Diamond (Environmental Ethics 400-412) F 04/06 *Holiday: Good Friday Week 13: Population and Poverty M 04/09 Malthus, Ehrlich and Holdron (Environmental Ethics 415-433) W 04/11 Hardin, Commoner (Environmental Ethics 434-447) F 04/13 Simon, Sen, McKibben (Environmental Ethics 447-475) Week 14: Economic Policy M 04/16 Hawken, Daly (Environmental Ethics 509-525) W 04/18 Elkington, Norton (Environmental Ethics 525-545) F 04/20 Wolf, Ehrenfeld (Environmental Ethics 545-558) Week 15: Hawaii & Environmental Ethics M 04/23 to be determined... W 04/25 to be determined... F 04/27 to be determined... Week 16: Hawaii & Environmental Ethics M 04/30 to be determined... W 05/02 to be determined... Final Exam: Monday, May 7 (2:00-4:00pm) final term paper due