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UNIVERSITY OF SAN CARLOS

DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL EDUCATION AND MISSION

COURSE SYLLABUS

COURSE DETAILS

COURSE NO. : INSTRUCTOR : ALVIN A. GALEON

COURSE TITLE : ETHICS OFFICE : Department of Philosophy

CREDIT UNITS : 3.0 CONTACT NO. :

PRE-REQUISITE/S : None CONSULTATION HOURS :

TERM : REVISED BY :

SCHEDULE : 3 hours every week for 18 weeks or 48 hours in a semester DATE :

COURSE DESCRIPTION
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This course, following the framework set by the CHED Memorandum no. 20, Series 2013, otherwise known as the “General Education Curriculum: Holistic Understandings, Intellectual and
Civic Competencies”, deals with the “principles of ethical behavior in modern society at the level of the person, society and in interaction with the environment and other shared resources.”

This course guides the students to be both reflective and critical in their approach to the question and application of morality, “what is a good act?.” To help the students think critically and
ethically, this course provides both the normative theories of ethics and a moral reasoning model. Representatives of both Western and Eastern traditions and paradigms in moral thinking
will also be given to afford the students a broader but also a more profound view in dealing with ethical questions and problems..

Also, this course presents discussions on the relation and application of ethics to religion, environment, global justice, politics, and the millennial generation to afford the students a deeper
appreciation and understanding of the relevance of ethical thinking in the contemporary situation.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course, the students must be able to:

CO1 Differentiate moral from non-moral actions.

CO2 Describe moral development and experiences, and solve moral dilemmas

CO3 Clarify what it means to be a morally intelligent and responsible person in today’s modern society

CO4 Appreciate the common good by understanding the different ethical principles.

CO5 Use ethical frameworks or principles to analyze moral experiences.

CO6 Discover the moral perspective in the light of which they can examine and validate their ethical values as they interact with other persons, environment and other shared resources.

COURSE OUTLINE
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The course is divided in five parts. The first part, the introduction, provides a general overview of the subject and a bridging component between the Senior High school
subject, Philosophy of the Human Person, and Ethics as General Education subject. The second part focuses on the agent, his/her faculties and capabilities, and the factors
and conditions that influences decision-making and actions. The third part deals with the major normative theories of ethics. The fourth appropriates ethical thinking in the
context of the globalized present; this part provides theoretical interventions to understand the role of ethics and morality in the phenomena of globalization, religion,
politics and the environment. The fifth part of the course closes with a review and synthesis of previous parts.

COURSE STRUCTURE

TEACHING AND LEARNING

TOPIC LEARNING OUTCOMES ASSESSMENT TASKS RESOURCES
ACTIVITIES

PART I: INTRODUCTION (4.5
Hours)
1. Welcome / Orientation
about the Training
2.Introduction to Ethics
a.Definition of Terms
b.Importance of Ethics Today
A.) Students are able to
understand basic terms
employed in ethics
B.) Students can differentiate
ethical, unethical, and neutral
actions
C.) Students can determine an
ethical dilemma
Lecture : basic concepts and
terms in ethics
Group activity: Case
discussions
Quiz on basic concepts and terms in
Ethics
Presentation of case discussions by
group
Austin Fagothey, Right and
Reason: Ethics in theory and
practice. London: The C.V.
Mosby Company, 1963.
25 Moral Dilemmas
http://psychopixi.com/uncatego
rized/25-moral-dilemmas/
(accessed October 24, 2017).
“Some Moral Dilemmas”
http://www.friesian.com/valley/
dilemmas.htm (accessed
October 24, 2017).

PART 2: THE AGENT (9
Hours)
1) Freedom & Rationality -
Morality of the Human Act
-The Essence of Freedom
2) Kohlberg: Stages of
Moral Development
-Longitudinal Study
-Finding, Interpretation, &
Criticisms
3) Moral Reasoning
-Definition of Terms
-Limitations of Logic
-Seven Step Moral
Reasoning Model
4) Cultural and Ethical
Relativism
5) Ethical Objectivism:
What is Natural Law?
A.) Students are able determine
the connection between
freedom and rationality
B.) Students can demonstrate
the stages of moral
development in relation to the
seven step moral reasoning
process
C.) Students can demonstrate
the issues arising from cultural
and ethical relativism
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Lectures: Class discussion:
A.) What is Freedom Presentation of situations by group
Rationality?
B.) What are the stages of
development and the seven Film review (home work):
step moral reasoning model?
Write a short essay on the film “The
C.) What is ethical and cultural Mission” (1981) explaining the
relativism? issues arising from ethical relativism
and ethical objectivism.
D.) What is ethical
objectivism? Or write a short essay on the film
“Bagong Buwan” (2001) explaining
situations and elements that deals with
Group activities: the moral reasoning process in its
relation from the individual to the
A.) Discuss among each family, and to society.
groups two selected cases
that demonstrates the seven
step reasoning model.
B.) Provide and discuss
situations that shows both
cultural and ethical relativism

Part 3: THEORIES IN ETHICS
(18 Hours)
1)Natural Law, Moral
Determinants and the
Principle of Double Effect
2) Deontology: Kant’s
Categorical Imperative
-Difference between
Deontological from
Teleological
-The good will and duty
-The function of reason
-Reverence for the Law
-The categorical imperative
3) Utilitarianism
-What is utilitarianism?
-Bentham & Mill
-Contemporary Utilitarian
4) Virtue Ethics
-Virtue Ethical Theories
-Eudaimonism
-The Ethics of Care
-Aristotle & the good life
5) Fletcher: Situation Ethics
-Emphasis on Love
-Working Principles
-Fundamental Principles
6) Oriental Ethics: Hinduism &
Buddhism
-Caste System and aims of life
-The Four Yogas
-Brahman & Atman
A) Students are able to
distinguish the different
normative theories in ethics
B) Students can demonstrate
this understanding of the
different normative theories by
analyzing specific ethical
situations
C) Students can appreciate the
complexities and the
responsibilities in making ethical thought-experiments in ethics
decisions
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Lectures: Quiz:
A. What is natural law? A.) Determine the distinctions between
B. What is Duty Ethics? the different normative theories of
C. What is Utilitarianism? ethics
D. What is Virtue Ethics?
E. What is Situation Ethics? B.) Determine the pros and cons of
F. What are some perspectives each normative theories in ethics
in Oriental Ethics?
Group Activities: Class discussion:
Provide both several famous A.) Present the case discussions of
each group for review and comments
for group discussions (e.g.,
Trolley case, Violinist
argument, et.al.) and specific
cases locally and around the
Essay:
globe
Determine and resolve, using the
Film Showing:
different theories in ethics, the ethical
dilemmas in the film "Eye in the Sky
“Eye in the Sky” (2015) and
discussion with specific guide
Present summary of essay to class for
questions after
discussions
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-Turning the Wheel of the
Dharma
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Part 4: Ethics in Context
(12 Hours) Lectures: Class discussion and debate: John Rawls, A Theory of
A.) Students are able to bridge Justice: Revised Edition USA:
1) John Rawls : Theory of the question of ethics to the A. What are the theories in A.) Each group present their acquired Harvard University Press,
1999.
Justice question of justice justice? newspaper clippings and, show and
-The Original Position & the B. What is the fundamental explain the issue that concerns their
Jürgen Habermas, Moral
Difference Principle B.) Students are able to different between ethics presentation Consciousness and
-Veil of Ignorance distinguish the different claims and religion? Communicative Action, trans.
2) Habermas: Theory of and inspirations of religions and C. What is the scope of Christian Lenhardt and Sherry
Communicative Action ethics to the question of the environmental ethics? What Weber Cambridge: The MIT
-Life Word System vs System good are some of its cases? B.) Choose one topic among the group Press, 1991.
World D. What is relation between presentation and organize a class
-Rules of Reason: Consensus Howe-Strauss generational debate on its ethical issue Jürgen Habermas, Theory of
theory and Ethics? Communicative Action Vol. 2.
C.) Students are able to critically The Critique of Functionalist
3)Ethics & Religion
Revisiting the debate
-Relation between ethics and consider the relation between Reason, trans. Thomas
Generational theory and ethics between Ethical Relativism McCarthy Boston: Beacon
religion?
and Ethical Objectivism Press, 1987.
-Overlap and contrasts
D.) Students are able to
4) Ethics & Millennials understand the stakes involved Jürgen Habermas, Theory of
-Howe-Strauss Generational in the ethical questions on the Group activity: Communicative Action Vol. 2.
environment The Critique of Functionalist
Theory
A.) Acquire newspaper Reason, trans. Thomas
-Characters of Millennials
clippings (local, national and McCarthy (Boston: Beacon
-The Filipino Millennial E.) Students can demonstrate Press, 1987).
-Ethics & the Millennial ethical thinking in the context of international) that deals with
the globalized present similar ethical issue
5) Environmental Ethics
-From science to ethics:
deriving Ought from Is
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Group Case Analysis#1. Using the 7-

step model on the business ethics case
called the Star Employee.

Individual reflection sessions in class

on a most recent personal dilemma:
How did I decide and what did I
actually do during my most important
moral experience in the past year?

Conclusion: What is at
stake in doing and
thinking the good? (4.5
Hours)
1) What is the meaning of the
good? Summary and review of B.) Students should be able to
the topics
2) Why should one act to do
the good?
A.) Students are able to
demonstrate an understanding
of ethics in relation to being
human
determine the scope and
limitation of ethical thinking
C.) Students should be able to Why should act for the good?
to have a profound appreciation
and the critical urgency that
underlies the ethical thinking
Review:
Provide a summary of subject
its context and their logical
development
Lecture and class discussion:
What is the meaning of good?
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Long Essay:
Develop an essay on the topic “What is
the meaning of good and why should
do good?”
-Specific cases and situations must be
given
-distinctions between normative
theories must be emphasized
-and the issues on freedom and
responsibility must be discussed
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COURSE MAP
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GE Learning Outcomes Ethics

Knowledge (Intellectual Competencies)
Analyze “texts” (written, visual, oral, etc.) critically. L
Demonstrate proficient and effective communication (writing, speaking, and use of new technologies). O
Use basic concepts across the domains of knowledge. P
Demonstrate critical, analytical, and creative thinking. P
Apply different analytical modes in problem solving. P
Values (Personal and Civic Responsibilities)
Appreciate the complexity of the human condition. L
Interpret the human experience from various perspectives. L
Examine the contemporary world from both Philippine and Global Perspectives. L
Take responsibility for knowing and being Filipino. P
Reflect critically on shared concerns. L
Generate innovative practices and solutions guided by ethical standards. P
Make decisions based on moral norms and imperatives. P
Appreciate various art forms. O
Contribute to aesthetics O
Advocate respect for human rights. L
Contribute personally and meaningfully to the country’s development. L
Skills (Practical Skills)
Work effectively in a group. P
Apply computing tools to process information effectively. O
Use current technology to assist and facilitate learning and research. O
Negotiate the world of technology responsibly. O
Create solutions to problems in various fields. P
Manage one’s knowledge, skills, and values for responsible and productive living. L
Organize one’s self for lifelong learning. L

L = Learned P= Practiced O = Opportunity to Learn

RESOURCES and Other Requirements

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BOOKS
Adler, Mortimer J. Ten Philosophical Mistakes. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1985.

Agapay, Ramon B. Ethics and the Filipino: A Manual on Morals for Students and Educators. Manila: National Bookstore, 1991

Aristotle. Nichomachean Ethics. Lincoln, Nebraska, Cliff Notes, 1966.

Aquinas, Thomas. On Law, Eternal Law and Natural Law, Summa Theologiae, vol. 28, Blackfriars in conjunction with McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, 1966.

Aune, Bruce. Kant’s Theory of Morality. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton Univ. Press, 1979.

Alson, Raziel and Marie Louise Friquegnon. Ethics for Modern Life. New York: St. Martin Press, Inc., 1987.

Albert, Ethel M., et al. Great Traditions in Ethics. California: Wadsworth Publishing Co., c1984.

Anders, Tomas. Understanding Values. Quezon City: New Day Publishers, 1980.

Charvin, Ronda. On Christian Ethics: Living in Love. Pasay City: Daughters of St. Paul, 1994.

Co, Alfredo P. Philosophy of Ancient China. Manila: University of Santo Tomas, 2009.

________. Philosophy of the Compassionate Buddha. Manila: UST Publishing House, 2009.

Collinson, Diane, Plant, Kathryn, and Wilkinson, Robert. Fifty Eastern Thinkers. London: Routledge, 2000

Composta, Dario. Moral Philosophy and Social Ethics. Bangalore: Theological Publications in India, 1988.

Crocker, David. Ethics of Global Development. USA: Cambridge University Press, 2008.

Cruz, Corazon L. Contemporary Ethics. 3rd Ed. Manila: National Bookstore, 1995.

De Castro, Leonardo D. and Agerico M. De Villa. Ethics and Logic: Basic Concepts. Quezon City: Katha Publishing Co., Inc., 1993.

Deussen, Paul. Outlines of Indian Philosophy. Delhi: Ess Ess Publications, 1976.

Dy, Manuel B. Jr. Contemporary Social Philosophy. Quezon City: JMC Press, Inc., 1994.

Fagothey, Austin. Right and Reason. Ethcis in Theory and Practice. St. Louis: The C.V.Mosby Co., 1972.

Fletcher, Joseph. Situation Ethics: The New Morality. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1966.

Friedman, Thomas. The Lexus and the Olive Tree: Understanding Globalization. 1st ed. New York: Anchor Books, 2000.

Fromm, Erich. Man for Himself: An Inquiry into the Psychology of Ethics. New York: Fawcett Premier, 1975.

Higgins, Gregory C. Where do You Stand: Eight Moral Issues Confronting Today’s Christians. Manila: St. Pauls, 1997.
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Hinman, Lawrence. Ethics: A pluralistic Approach to Moral Theory. Australia: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2013.

Hiriyanna, M. Essentials of Indian Philosophy. London: Diamond Books, 1996.

Ibana, Rainer R. A. and Angeli F. Tugado, eds. Commentaries on Moral Philosophy. Pasig City, Phil.: Philippine Commission on Higher Education, 1998.

_____. Primary Texts in Moral Philosophy: A Philippine Collection. Pasig City, Phil.: Philippine Commission on Higher Education, 1998.

Johnson, Oliver. Ethics. New York: Holt, Rinehard & Winston, 1989.

Kant, Immanuel. Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals. New York: Harper Perennial, 2009.

Kirimura, Yasuji. Fundamentals of Buddhism. Tokyo: Nichiren Shoshu International, 1977.

Leaman, Oliver. Key Concepts in Eastern Philosophy. London: Routledge, 1999.

Lin Yutang. The Wisdom of China and India. New York: Random House, 1942.

Kreet, Peter. Making Choices: Practical Wisdom for Everyday Moral Decisions. Quezon City: Word of Joy Foundation, Inc., 1990.

Mackinnon, Barbara. Ethics: Theory and Contemporary Issues. California: Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1995.

Mappes, Thomas, Thomas, Zembaty, Jane, and de Grazia, David. Social Ethics: Morality & Social Policy. New York: McGraw Hill, 2012.

Moga, Michael D. Towards Authentic Morality: An Ethics Textbook for the Philippines. Manila: National Bookstore, Inc., 1993.

Montemayor, Felix. Ethics: The Science and Art of Life. Manila: National Bookstore, 1993.

Panizo, Alfredo. Ethics or Moral Philosophy. A UST Textbook Series. Manila: Novel Publishing Co., 1964.

Patka, Frederick. Existentialist Thinkers and Thoughts. New York: The Citadel Press, 1964.

Peschke, Karl H. Christian Ethics: Moral Theology in the Light of Vatican II. Vols. I and II. Manila: Logos Publications, Inc., 1993.

Quito, Emerita S. Fundamentals of Ethics. Manila: De La Salle University Press, 1989.

Rachels, James. "What is Morality", Chapter 1 and "The Challenge of Cultural Relativism", Chapter 2 in The Elements of Moral Philosophy. 4th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2004.

Reyes, Ramon C. Ground and Norm of Morality: Ethics for College Students. Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press

Scott, James. An Introduction to Evolutionary Ethics. Malden, Maryland: Wiley Blackwell, 2011.

Sahakian, William S. System of Ethics and Value Theory. New York: Philosophical Library, Inc., 1963.

Timbreza, Florentino T. Bioethics and Moral Decisions. Manila: De La Salle University Press, 1994.

Werhane, Patricia H. Moral Imagination and Management Decision Making. New York: Oxford
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University Press, 1999

Licuanan, Patricia et al. "A Moral Recovery Program: Building a People—Building Nation." In Values in Philippine Culture and Education: Philippine Philosophical Studies I, edited by
Manuel B. Dy Jr., 31-48. Washington, DC: The Council for Research in Values and Philosophy, 1994.

Jan Yun-hua. "The Mind as the Buddha-nature: The Concept of the Absolute in Ch'an Buddhism." Philosophy East and West 31 (October 1981): 467-477.

Palma-Angeles, Antonette. "Cultural Drivers of Corruption in Business and Governance." In Business Ethics in Asia: Issues and Cases, edited by Oscar G. Bulaong Jr., Ike Danita Dewi, and J.
Sedfrey Santiago, Quezon City, PH: Ateneo de Manila University Press, 2014.

Quito, Emerita S. "A Short Introduction to Oriental Philosophy." SOPHIA 4 (1974-75): 70-82.

ELECTRONIC SOURCES

1. http://www.usefulcharts.com/psychology/kohlberg-stages-of-moral-development.html

2. http://www.education.com/reference/article/kohlbergs-moral-reasoning/

UNPUBLISHED SOURCES

Palma- Angeles, Antonette and Azada, Rowena, "Medicine Prices, Price Controls and the Philippine Pharmaceutical Industry" Monograph produced by the Jose B Fernandez, Jr. Ethics
Center and Ateneo graduate School of Business, 2011

Que, Nemesio S., S.J, "Notes on Moral Deliberation." Introduction to course notes for PH104: Foundations of Moral Value. Ateneo de Manila University

Rae, Scott, "A Model for Moral Decision Making" Chapter 1, Beyond Integrity.

Reyes, Ramon Castillo. "Relation between Ethics and Religious Belief." In Moral Dimension: Essays in Honor of Ramon Castillo Reyes, edited by Nemesio S. Que, S.J., Oscar G. Bulaong Jr.,
and Michael Ner E. Mariano, 107-12. Quezon City, PH: Office of Research.
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JOURNALS

Licuanan, Patricia et al. "A Moral Recovery Program: Building a People—Building Nation." In Values in Philippine Culture and Education: Philippine Philosophical Studies I, edited by Manuel B. Dy Jr.,
31-48. Washington, DC: The Council for Research in Values and Philosophy, 1994.

Jan Yun-hua. "The Mind as the Buddha-nature: The Concept of the Absolute in Ch'an Buddhism." Philosophy East and West 31 (October 1981): 467-477.

Palma-Angeles, Antonette. "Cultural Drivers of Corruption in Business and Governance." In Business Ethics in Asia: Issues and Cases, edited by Oscar G. Bulaong Jr., Ike Danita Dewi, and J. Sedfrey Santiago,
Quezon City, PH: Ateneo de Manila University Press, 2014.

Quito, Emerita S. "A Short Introduction to Oriental Philosophy." SOPHIA 4 (1974-75): 70-82.

UNPUBLISHED SOURCES

Palma- Angeles, Antonette and Azada, Rowena, "Medicine Prices, Price Controls and the Philippine Pharmaceutical Industry" Monograph produced by the Jose B Fernandez, Jr. Ethics Center and Ateneo
graduate School of Business, 2011

Que, Nemesio S., S.J, "Notes on Moral Deliberation." Introduction to course notes for PH104: Foundations of Moral Value. Ateneo de Manila University

Rae, Scott, "A Model for Moral Decision Making" Chapter 1, Beyond Integrity.

Reyes, Ramon Castillo. "Relation between Ethics and Religious Belief." In Moral Dimension: Essays in Honor of Ramon Castillo Reyes, edited by Nemesio S. Que, S.J., Oscar G. Bulaong Jr., and Michael
Ner E. Mariano, 107-12. Quezon City, PH: Office of Research