Department of Humanities

Course Code & Name: ETH201, Moral Reasoning – section 31

Class Time and Location Monday at 4:00 – 4:50 pm, Webex
INSTRUCTOR name Said R. Abou Zaki
Course Coordinator Dr. Vahid Behmardi
Course Co-coordinator
Credits Hours 1
Semester Spring 2021

INSTRUCTOR
Email: [email protected]
Web page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/said-abou-zaki-8092582b
Office:
Office Hours: By appointment.

CURRENT CATALOG DESCRIPTION

This required course explores ways to approach the moral decisions individuals encounter in their
daily life, with the focus on critical thinking and the importance of integrity. The course promotes
productive dialogue, tolerance for diverse viewpoints on ethical issues, and skills of responsive
citizenship.

PRE- OR CO-REQUISITE

COURSE TYPE
Required Major’s Elective General Elective

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the completion of this course, the student should:
 Become aware of various ethical notions and apply these in distinctive moral reasoning;
 Become receptive to different viewpoints and practice productive dialogue;
 Become a critical thinker who is sensitized to moral dilemmas;
 Learn the virtue of academic integrity and its educational value; and
 Become aware of civic responsibilities on the personal, professional, and environmental
levels.

TEXTBOOK
Course Materials will be posted on Blackboard.

TOPICS COVERED IN THE COURSE

Week Topic

1: Jan. 25 – 29 Introduction to the course

2: Feb. 1 – 5 Consequentialism

3: Feb. 8 –12 Utilitarianism

4: Feb. 15 – 19 Virtue Ethics

5: Feb. 22 – 26 Virtue Ethics: Aristotle

6: Mar. 1 – 5 Virtue Ethics: Aristotle

 7: Mar. 8 – 12 Virtue Ethics: Aristotle

8: Mar. 15 – 19 Midterm

9: Mar. 22 – 26 The Ethics of Duty: Immanuel Kant

10: Mar. 29 – Apr. 2 Moral Philosophy and Ethics of Duty: Immanuel Kant

11: Apr. 5 – 9 Virtue Ethics: Moral Responsibility

12: Apr. 12 – 16 Case Studies (In-Class Discussions)

13: Apr. 19 – 23 Case Studies (In-Class Discussions)

14: Apr. 26 – 30 Case Studies (In-Class Discussions)

15: May. 3 – 7 Case Studies (In-Class Discussions)

16: May 10 – 114 Case Studies (In-Class Discussions)

** This a tentative schedule that might be adjusted during the course **

TEACHING/LEARNING METHOD
 The various ideas are presented under governing themes to help students understand their
broader significance.
 Students are prompted through purposeful questions to think of possible explanations,
justification, or criticism etc. of the moral theories, and how these theories relate to their
practical life, before explaining them.
 Graded online discussion forums are designed to help student better engage in the course
material.

REFERENCES


COURSE GRADING AND PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

 Participation & Active learning tasks 10%

 Assignment (Case Study) 15%
 Forums 5%
 Midterm Exam 30%
 Final Exam 40%

Noteson Exams:
 They are True/False questions.
 They are conducted on blackboard through a Respondus Lockdown Browser.
 Answers are typed directly to Blackboard.
 They are proctored through a Webex session opened from students’ smartphones.
 They are done outside class time so as to avoid possible complications resulting
from technical problems faced by students.
 Students are required to install Respondus Lockdown Browser on their devices and
ensure its proper functioning before the Midterm is conducted. A link will be
provided for this purpose on Blackboard.
 Announcements for exams are all published on Blackboard and automatically
emailed to your LAU emails’ inbox.

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STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT - ACADEMIC VIOLATIONS

The following table defines the sanction(s) associated with each violation. In some cases and when
the violation is too general, a range of sanctions is set for the pertinent committee to choose from
depending on the specifics of each case. As for the second offense, the set sanctions apply regardless
whether the violation has taken place in the same course or a different one, within the same semester
or not.
Code # Violation First Offense Second Offense
Cheating
2.2.1 Using material or equipment (including mobile phones, zero on the F on the course
electronic tablets, i-pads, calculators, and other devices) deliverable with with a warning
that is not authorized by the instructor in an examination, a warning
project, or graded assignment
2.2.2 Cheating, copying, collaborating with or aiding another zero on the Suspension
Student in a manner not permitted by the instructor on an deliverable with
examination, project, or other graded assignment a warning
2.2.3 Distributing or aiding in the distribution of previous exams double warning suspension –
without authorization of the instructor – suspension expulsion
2.2.4 Stealing, reproducing, or circulating an examination or suspension Expulsion
other graded assignment before it has been administered
2.2.5 Impersonating another Student or allowing another Student suspension Expulsion
to impersonate one’s self during an examination, for both
presentation, or other graded assignment
2.2.6 Impersonating an assistant, staff member, or faculty suspension – Expulsion
member for the purpose of (a) proctoring examinations expulsion
without authorization or permission or (b) obtaining
confidential information regarding coursework or
examinations
2.2.7 Receiving, purchasing or selling a project, paper, or any suspension – Expulsion
academic document and presenting it as work other than expulsion
that of the author
2.2.8 Submitting identical papers or coursework for credit in zero on the F on the course
more than one class without the permission of the instructor deliverable with with a warning
a warning
Plagiarism and Copyright Violations
2.2.9 Failing to attribute language or ideas to their original source zero on the F on the course
by not crediting the original author with an appropriate deliverable with with a warning
acknowledgement or citation a warning
2.2.10 Using photocopied or electronic copies of textbooks, warning double warning
compact disks, films, music, online course materials, and
other content beyond the fair use policy within University
Premises
2.2.11 Using copyrighted materials, including in written research warning double warning
reports and papers, without obtaining required permission,
if any, from the rights holder
Unauthorized Sale, Distribution, or Use of Course Materials
2.2.12 Recording any lecture or presentation for personal use or Warning double warning
public distribution without the prior consent of the course
instructor. This applies to the unauthorized use of any
medium including but not limited to mobile phones,
electronic tablets, i-pads recorders, films, and other devices
2.2.13 Selling academic materials by any Student, club, or group. Warning double warning
This includes but is not limited to lectures, course
recordings, class notes, and previous exams

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UNIVERSITY ATTENDANCE POLICY
1. Students are expected to attend all classes.
2. For valid reasons, students may miss classes for a maximum that is equivalent to two regular
weeks. (= two classes )
3. When exceeding the maximum number of absences, it is the instructor’s prerogative to ask the
concerned student to stop attending and drop the course. In this case, it is the student’s
responsibility to drop the course, otherwise a grade of “F” or “NP” will be given.
4. In exceptional justified cases (long illness, etc.), where absences exceed the maximum, the
student has to petition to the department Chair to be allowed to stay in the course.
5. Students are held responsible for all the material presented in the classroom, even during their
absence.

Note: Students are required to register their attendance by typing their names and ID# to the
Webex chat box when they join classes and directly before they leave. They’ll also be asked to do
so at a random time during the session.

WITHDRAWAL POLICY

WI is equivalent to Early Withdrawal

WP is equivalent to Withdrawal/Pass
WF is equivalent to Withdrawal/Fail
1. A student who withdraws after the Drop/Add period and by the end of the 5th week of classes (10th
day of classes for Summer Modules) will obtain a “WI” on that particular course.
The student may process such request directly through the Registrar’s Office.
2. A student who withdraws from a course between the 6th week and the end of the 10th week of classes
(18th day of classes for Summer Modules) will receive either a “WP” or a “WF”. “WP” or “WF” will
be determined by the instructor based on the achieved academic performance in that course till the time
of withdrawal.
3. The “WI” and the “WP” will not count as a Repeat; whereas the “WF” will count as a Repeat.
4. “WI”, “WP” and “WF” will not count towards the GPA calculation.

Deadline for the “WP” and “WF” withdrawal from courses: The last day for early withdrawal from
Spring 2021 (WI) is Monday, March 1. The last day for withdrawal (WP/WF) from courses for Spring
2021 is Tuesday, April 20. It is the student’s responsibility to drop the course.

COURSE ONLINE EVALUATIONS

Completion of the online course evaluations is important for feedback and improvement. Students are
highly encouraged to complete the course evaluations at the end of the semester.
In order to improve the effectiveness of the educational process, all students are expected to submit
their course evaluations by the last day of classes.
Students who fail to complete the evaluation of ALL registered courses by the set deadline:
1. will not be able to access their course grades from Banner or Portal until two weeks after the
end of the final exams period; and
2. will not be able to request transcripts.
The anonymity of the process and the students will be maintained at all times.

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TIPS FOR SUCCESS
 Regular and full attendance.
 Taking class notes.
 Attentive listening and constructive participation in class.
 Benefitting from office hours to discuss your performance on quizzes and exams.

ADDITIONAL REMARKS
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RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COURSE OUTCOMES AND PROGRAM OUTCOMES