PHIL 2600.004: Ethics in Science Fall 2015 T/Th 9:30 am 10:50 am PEB 219 Instructor: Gordon Akon-Yamga Contact: gordon.akonyamga@unt.edu Office Hours: T/Th 2:30 pm 4:00 pm (and by appointment, if necessary) in ENV 334 Course Description Ethics in Science is a survey of the philosophical relationships between ethics (including political and cultural values) and science (as a practice and form of inquiry). Typical topics covered under this course include research ethics, experimentation on animals, biotechnology, information technology, gender in science, religion in science, and science policy. Specifically for this class, however, students will be given a brief introduction to philosophy, some ethical theories, and the method, practices and approaches of science. Other topics to be covered in the class will include: ethics of science and technology, justice and science, ethical issues in biotechnology, ethical issues in nanotechnology, gender and science, and science policy. Course Materials Required Texts: One textbook is designated as required in this class. It is Ethics and Science: An Introduction by Adam Briggle and Carl Mitcham (Cambridge University Press, 2012). However, there are other required texts that will be posted on blackboard. In this regards, it is your responsibility to access, download, and read these texts before class day. Course Requirements and Grading Weekly Pop Quizzes (15%) Your instructor will administer a total of twelve (12) weekly pop quizzes throughout the semester. These quizzes will be unannounced and will be administered in class. Each quiz is worth 15 points; at the end of the semester, the lowest two quiz points will be dropped. Discussion Board Posts (15%) You are required to contribute to weekly discussion board postings found on Blackboard. The purpose of these discussions is to develop your interpretation of the readings and communicate this interpretation clearly to the instructor and your peers. You are not required to respond to another person s comment; you are required to post your own view of the readings for the week. Usual standards of professionalism and courtesy apply. You must quote from the readings for the day and include a citation and bibliography to receive full credit. The referencing must follow the MLA style. Each weekly posting is worth 1 point. Your discussion posts are due every Monday by 9:00am of the week. Research Paper (20%) You are required to write an argumentative essay on a topic of your choice that deals with ethics in science as addressed in this class; the paper must not be longer than 5 pages (1250 words). You must upload a soft copy of the paper onto turnitin on Blackboard and submit a hard copy in class on or before 11/24/15. You must remember to print your receipt after submission via turnitin. The paper will be evaluated on structure (esp. clarity of thesis and path statements) and appropriate, critical and informative use of independent research. Since you are writing a research paper, you must cite a minimum of three peer-reviewed journals and/or books or book chapters that were not discussed in class. The paper must include references and a bibliography formatted using the MLA style. 1
Remember: The papers are due 11/24/15 in class. Turnitin will be closed an hour before class on 11/24/15. More information on how to write the research paper will be posted on blackboard for your perusal in the course of the semester. Attendance and Participation (10%) In class your instructor will give background information that your readings may lack and expand on ideas in the readings. Your classmates and the instructor will raise questions that will challenge your thinking. You will engage in discussion with others in order to develop your understanding of the material. Thus, attendance counts. Participation is only possible if you are present in class and paying attention (not using electronic devices for non-class purposes etc ). Your instructor will take the roll for every class. It is your responsibility to alert the instructor to your presence in class should you come in after the roll has been taken. In which case you must see the instructor after the class to sign an attendance sheet Note that UNT policy defines an excused absence as an absence due to a University-sponsored event, passing of a family member, religious holiday, or documented illness. Documentation is required. Exam (Mid-term and Final) (40%) The midterm exam will cover the assigned content and readings from the first half of the semester and is worth 20% of your final grade. The mid-term exam will take place on Thursday, 10/15/15. The exam will be administered on Blackboard during class hours. The final exam will cover the second half of the semester and may include questions regarding material covered throughout the semester. Both exams will be on Blackboard and will be primarily multiplechoice format, true/false questions and short-answer questions. The date of the final exam is: 12/10/15; starts at 8:00am and ends at 10.00am. The exam will be online. Grading policy: this course is graded according to the requirements specified and weighted above. Final grades will be issued according to the standard university criteria: A = 90%+ B = 80-89% C = 70-79% D = 60-69% F = 0-59% Classroom Policies: Late Assignment Policy: Since discussion posts are due 9 am of every day, no late posts are accepted unless you have a documented long-term emergency. Papers are due on paper in class and through turnitin on the due date. Extensions are only possible in case of a documented emergency, religious holiday, or other approved excuse discussed with the instructor before the assignment is due. Missed Exam Policy: Final Exams cannot be made up unless an alternative date is approved in advance, or because of a documented emergency. Classroom Behavior: Respect must be shown for both the instructor and your fellow classmates at all times. This includes being on time for class, not leaving early, having your phone on silent (or off), refraining from disrespectful comments in online discussion, and any other actions that may be distracting to the instructor or the class. Any disruptive, rude, or inappropriate behavior can and will result in grade penalizations and the loss of a daily attendance grade. Also, laptop, cell-phone, or other electronic device use of any kind is not allowed in the classroom. Class Cancellation: In the event of class being cancelled (either in the event of the university closing or just a particular meeting of this class being cancelled), you should assume that any readings, assignments, 2
or exams due on the day class is cancelled will instead be due at the next scheduled class meeting. Any necessary adjustments to the schedule will be announced at the next regular class meeting and posted on Blackboard. Academic Conduct: Students are responsible for reading, understanding and knowing UNT s Academic Dishonesty Policy that can be found at: http://www.vpaa.unt.edu/academic-integrity.htm ODA Statement: The University of North Texas is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation; reference Public Law 92-112 The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. With the passage of new federal legislation entitled Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), pursuant to section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, there is renewed focus on providing this population with the same opportunities enjoyed by all citizens. Drop/Withdrawal Information, and other Academic Dates: Found here: http://registrar.unt.edu/registration/fall-registration-guide#deadlines Drop/Withdrawal Information, and other Academic Dates: Sept 8 Student must have written consent from instructor to drop course Oct 2 Last Day for student to receive automatic grade of W for nonattendance. Last day to drop a course or withdraw from the semester with a grade of W for courses that the student is not passing. After this date, a grade of WF may be recorded. Oct 3 Beginning this date instructors may drop students with a grade of WF for nonattendance. Nov 2 Last day to drop with either W or WF. Last day for a student to drop a course with consent of the instructor. Nov 9 Beginning this date, a student who qualifies may request an Incomplete, with a grade of I. Nov 20 Last day to withdraw (drop all classes). Last day for an instructor to drop a student with a grade of WF for nonattendance. Nov 26-29 Thanksgiving Break (no classes, university closed). Dec 4 Reading Day (no classes). Dec 5 11 Final exams 3
Class Schedule This schedule is subject to change. Any changes will be announced in-class and on Blackboard. It is your responsibility to obtain the amended schedule provided by instructor. (NOTE: The reading assigned for each day is discussed that day, and should be read before the class meets.) Week Day Day/Topic 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8/25/15 8/27/15 9/1/15 9/3/15 9/8/15 9/10/15 9/15/15 9/17/15 9/22/15 9/24/15 9/29/15 10/1/15 10/6/15 10/8/15 Introduction to Course Discussion of content of syllabus and classroom policies Discussion on our expectations of the class vis- a-vis the course objectives Intro to Philosophy Baily and Martin (eds) What is Philosophy? (Available on blackboard) Introduction to Some Ethical Concepts and Theories Briggle and Mitcham, Ethics and Science, Ch. 2, pp. 30-46 Briggle and Mitcham, Ethics and Science, Ch. 2, pp. 51-61 Science: Goals and Methods Briggle and Mitcham, Ethics and Science, Ch. 3, pp. 66-76 Resnik, The Ethics of Science, Ch. 3, pp. 31-44 (Available on Blackboard) Relation Between Ethics and Science Briggle and Mitcham, Ethics and Science, Ch. 1, pp. 1-22 Resnik, The Ethics of Science, Ch. 1, pp. 1-9 (Available on blackboard) Human Subjects in Research Briggle and Mitcham, Ethics and Science, Ch. 5, pp. 132-144 Briggle and Mitcham, Ethics and Science, Ch. 5, pp. 145-154 Stem Cell Research McMahan, Killing Embryos for Stem Cell Research, pp. 170-181 McMahan, Killing Embryos for Stem Cell Research, pp. 181-188 Animals in Research Briggle and Mitcham, Ethics and Science, Chapter 6 pp. 156-170. Foex, The ethics of animal experimentation, pp.750-751 8 9 10/13/15 10/15/15 10/20/15 10/22/15 Mid-term Exam Mid-term exam review Mid-term exam (online, on Blackboard) Ethics of Science and Technology Joy, "Why the Future Doesn't Need Us," pp. 47-62 (Available on Blackboard) Joy, pp. 63-73 & Lin, "The Ethics of Saving Lives with Autonomous Cars is Far Murkier Than You Think" (Available on Blackboard) 4
10 11 12 10/27/15 10/29/15 11/3/15 11/5/15 11/10/15 Social Justice and Science Excerpts from Rebecca Skloot, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks Excerpts from Skloot, continued (Continued) FILM: The Way of All Flesh Ethical Issues in Biotechnology Hayry, How to Assess the Consequences of Genetic Engineering. (Available on Blackboard) Foung, Genetic Trespassing and Environmental Ethics. (Available on Blackboard) Ethical Issues In Nanotechnology Allhoff et al., What is Nanotechnology and Why Does it Matter? Excerpts from chapters 1 and 8. 11/12/15 13 11/17/15 11/19/15 14 11/24/15 11/24/15 11/26-29/15 15 12/1/15 We may watch a documentary: How Will Nanotechnology Change the World? Or a movie Transcendence Discussion of matters arising from documentary/movie Gender and Science Kourany, Philosophy of Science After Feminism, Ch. 1, pp. 1-20 (Available on Blackboard) Research Papers are due today Submit a softcopy online via turnitin and bring a hardcopy to class. Remember to print and attach your turnitin submission receipt. Science and Policy Excerpts from Briggle and Mitcham, Ethics and Science, Ch. 9, pp. 210-230 Thanksgiving break: UNT is closed Science and Policy Excerpts from Briggle and Mitcham, Ethics and Science, Ch. 10, pp. 237-258 16 12/3/15 Final Exam Review 12/10/15 Finals On Thursday, December 10 2015 at 8:00am to 10:00am. Online (Blackboard). 5