Syllabus: Class Format
Discussion. For the first couple of classes, I will mix a bit of informal lecture with discussion. Thereafter, the discussion will be largely student–directed; my role will be to nudge you in useful directions, raise criticisms that you may not have considered, etc., i.e., to kibbitz.
After our brief introduction to theory and method in practical ethics, we'll "warm up" with some cases from recent Ethics Bowl competitions. I'll ask each student to select one such case, and lead a discussion on it with the goal of developing a well justified and defensible consensus position
Once the cases for the 2007 Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl (IEB) competition are released (usually around Jan 15), we will select a number of them and divide them equally among class members (taking into account as much as possible individuals' preferences for specific ones), with participants playing the role of the "lead" on each of the cases assigned to her or him. The student who is acting as the lead for any given case is responsible for guiding the group to a consensus position, as well as for writing up and distributing a brief summary (e.g., an outline).
Toward the end of the term it is also likely that we will rehearse several cases in the exhibition competitions, including one conducted for Robert Kent's Ethics and Aikido class. (Mr. Kent would also like to invite all students in Phil 012 to join him "on the mat" for a little physical and mental preparation for the exercise.)