Ethical Issues
Ms. Portman

Course Description
Ethical Issues in Contemporary Society asks you to think deeply about some of the major ethical dilemmas of the modern world. Topics we will address include ethical traditions, ethics and community, and ethical issues raised by business, medicine, international relations and personal choices. By semester's end you will have acquired an appreciation for how ethical dilemmas are woven through every life path. You will also be able to clearly perceive where ethical dilemmas exist in daily life; you will also develop language and critical thinking skills to make the pondering of ethical issues part of your own lives.

Required Texts:
Hubner and Wolfson, Somebody Else's Children (Crown, 1996)
Purtill, Richard L. Thinking About Ethics (Prentice Hall, 1976)
Ongoing issues of any major newspaper or news magazine
Selected newspaper and journal articles, to be distributed in class.

General Expectations
o You are expected to read all assigned readings and be prepared for class discussion. If you want to have an interesting class, then it is your responsibility to spend time not just reading the words- you should be thinking about and processing the material. Being well-read will help you to make significant contributions to class discussion.

o Most homework assignments will include a reading assignment and questions for you to consider. Your responses will not be turned in unless otherwise noted, but I recommend that you write your answer down so that you will be prepared to discuss your ideas during class discussion. A clearly written answer will help you to think more clearly about the material being discussed.

o There will be several short papers and a research project assigned over the course of the semester. The short papers will be reflections on the readings and class activities. Your research project will culminate in the creation of a website and presentation to the class. Class time will be geared toward discussion of the material and research for the final project.

o All writing assignments must be turned in on time. I am a stickler for due dates; if you are having problems with an assignment, you need to come see me before it is due.

o Ethics can often times be a controversial subject. You do not have to agree with everything your peers say, but you are expected to listen and respect each other's opinions. In order for this to be a safe environment where every student can express his/her opinions, I ask that you be supportive of your classmates and sensitive to others when contributing to discussion.

Grade Breakdown
Class Participation and Short Writing Assignments: 50%
Website Project and Presentation: 35%
Final Take Home Exam: 15%

You may be exempt from the final take home exam if you have an A- or above by the end of the semester.

Questions or Concerns
My free blocks are A, B, and F. Please feel free to set up an appointment with me during these times or before and after school. My email address is: sportman@menloschool.org. I check it pretty regularly, so you can always email me questions or concerns you may have. After gathering your email addresses, I will send out various articles via email and this will also be a means of communication for the class.