PHI 3640 – ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
FALL Semester 2002
Course
Description:
This course is an introduction to issues in
environmental philosophy. It is called
“environmental ethics,” but our focus will be wider than the merely
ethical. Our investigations will take
us from the extension of traditional ethical theories to non-human beings, to
sources and conceptions of “self,” to the various philosophical, political, and
psychological factors that may or may not be players in our current
environmental situation.
Philosophy has been coming back into
vogue due to an overall lack of perceived meaning in current affairs,
prescribed ways to be and live, political ideals, in addition to a pervasive
sense of uncertainty. Questions get
raised, but there are different kinds of questions. A question like: “What job do I want?” is a question of personal
preferences, talents or aspirations.
But a question like “Why have a job in the first place?” is a question
for philosophy.
So, as an introduction to
environmental philosophy, the purpose of the course is threefold: 1) To
acquaint readers with major issues, conflicts, and proposed resolutions within
the field of environmental philosophy; 2) To equip readers with the skills
necessary for thinking philosophically about environmental issues, 3) To deepen
and widen one’s perspective of oneself and one’s “surrounding environment.”
Required
Texts:
_Louis
J. Pojman: Environmental Ethics: Readings in Theory and Application (Third
Edition). Belmont, Wadsworth, 2001
_Any
additional readings will be announced in class, and made available via either
electronic reserve or class handout.
There is also the possibility of assigned videos and/or web page
readings.
Grading:
Midterm Examination: 25%
Final Examination: 25%
10-12 page Research Paper: 25%
Other assignments/ possible quizzes:
15%
Participation/Attendance:
10%
Presence
at Exams and Late Papers:
You have the exam dates
before you (see next page). Therefore,
if you miss an exam for any reason other than those acceptable reasons as
outlined in the most current version of the USF Student Handbook, you will
simply miss out on the grade for that exam.
As each exam counts as roughly 1/4 of your grade, you most certainly
will not want to miss one.
As for late papers, I do not
accept them. This means: papers that do
not make it to me on the due date will receive an automatic grade of 0%. If you do not turn in your paper on the due
date, the most you can make in this class is a mid-range C (assuming perfection
everywhere else). So make sure to have
your paper in by the assigned date: start thinking about your topic now!
Words
of Wisdom:
Read the assignments. If you do not, you will be lost: more so in
the real world than here in the classroom.
Get used to keeping up with the discussion now. The reading for the course is fairly
heavy. If you are looking for a class
where you think you can get by through skipping reading assignments or not
coming to class, then please, drop this course. There are many people who would love to take
this course and do the work, I’m sure.
Day 1 (8/27): Course Introduction (no reading assigned)
Day 2 (8/29):
Introduction to Environmental Ethics: pp3-8
Day 3 (9/3): The Roots of the Western Environmental Crisis: p10, 1,2,3,4
Day 4 (9/5): Animal Rights: p29, 5,6,7, 8
Day 5 (9/10):
…continued: 9, 10; Intrinsic Value: TBA
Day 6 (9/12):
…Intrinsic Value Continued: 12,13,14
Day 7 (9/17): Biocentrism: 15,16,17
Day 8 (9/19):
Ecocentrism: 18,19,20
Day 9 (9/24): Deep
Ecology: 21,22,23,24
Day 10 (9/26):
…continued: 25, TBA
Day 11 (10/1):
Environmental Justice and Ecofeminism: 26,27,28,29
Day 12 (10/3):
Preservation Issues: p205, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34
Day 13 (10/8):
…continued: 33, 34, TBA
Day 14 (10/10):
Non-Western Perspectives: 37,38,39,40,
41
Day 15 (10/15):
…continued: TBA
Day 16 (10/17):
MIDTERM EXAMINATION
Day 17 (10/22):
Future Generations: p278, 42,43,44
Day 18 (10/24):
Population: p299, 45, 46, 48;
Day 19 (10/29):
…continued p355, 51, 52; TBA
Day 20 (10/31):
Pollution: p384, 56, 57, 58, 59
Day 21 (11/5):
Economics and Environmental Ethics: p447,
66, 67, 68, 69
Day 22 (11/7):
Economics continued; Ecology and Global Justice: 70, 71, p489, 72, 73, 74
Day 23 (11/12):
Social Criticism and Proposed Solutions:
p505, 75, 76, 77
Day 24 (11/14):
…continued: 78, 79, 80, 81
Day 25 (11/19): TBA
Day 26 (11/21): TBA
Day 27 (11/26): TBA
NO CLASS 11/28:
Thanksgiving Holiday
Day 28 (12/3): TBA
Day 29 (12/5):
Review, PAPERS ARE DUE!
*TBA means I will assign the readings at a
later date, based on where we are in terms of grasping the material. ALSO: I reserve the right to add or subtract
to the readings as listed – this will keep the course interactive and relevant
to our concerns.