Phil 361-03 Professional Ethics - Engineering Ethics - Spring 2008 - Syllabus - 

Janice Capel Anderson - Office: Morrill 405 - Work Phone: 885-6065 - E-mail: jcanders@uidaho.edu -Office Hours are T/Th 9:20-10:50 and many other times by appointment.

*****The instructor may alter this syllabus in whatever ways she deems necessary. Check the syllabus on the web for changes in assignments, etc.  Check your e-mail for special announcements.  We may switch some topics depending on class composition and interest.

TEXTBOOKS:

Charles E. Harris, Michael S. Pritchard, Michael J. Rabins,  Engineering Ethics: Concepts and Cases.  Wadsworth Publishing; 3 edition.  ISBN-10: 0534605796 - HPR

G. Harvey, Writing with Sources.  Hackett, 1998.   ISBN: 0872204340 1998

RESERVE:  Electronic Reserve: There are some materials for this course on electronic reserve at http://db.lib.uidaho.edu/ereserve You will need to enter a userid and a password I will give you in class to access these materials.

Please read and familiarize yourself with all of the policies which appear on this syllabus after the course schedule.  You are responsible for knowing these policies which are part of the course syllabus.  

TIME REQUIRED: This course will require approximately eight hours of study time outside of class per week.  The course is reading intensive and requires essay writing.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

(1) Students will grasp at an introductory level several key schools of ethical analysis.

(2) Students will improve their understanding of how key moral approaches may help them to decide what to do in particular cases, especially in engineering ethics

(3) Students will compare ethical decision-making to design problems.

(4) Students will become familiar with several areas that pose ethical problems for professional engineers.

(5) Students will improve their ability to think critically and to argue orally and in writing.

(7) Students will examine the nature and purposes of professional codes of ethics in engineering.

(8) Students will begin to appreciate how personal ethical positions, societal norms, philosophical ethics, and engineering practice and norms intersect.

COURSE SCHEDULE

INTRODUCTION

Jan 10 - Introduction 

Jan  15 -  Read Harris, Pritchard, and Rabins [HPR], "Chapter One:  Engineering Ethics:  Making a Difference" and Case 7 - Building Foundations (pp. 304-305) and  67:  "Why Won't They Read" (pp. 350-351).  For more information on Roger Boisjoly and Fred Cuny go to http://www.onlineethics.org/moral/   On the same page there is information about a couple of other exemplars, Inez Austin and Rachel Carson)  Prepare:  Questions for Class Discussion.

Jan 17 -  HPR - Chapter 2 - "Responsibility in Engineering", Virtue Ethics, and  Case 11 Citicorp  -  For more information on LeMessurier and the Citicorp case go to http://www.onlineethics.org/moral/lemessurier/index.html  For a dissenting voice about the case, go to http://www.crosscurrents.org/kremer2002.htm  For the original article from the New Yorker that revealed the events in a laudatory way, see http://www.duke.edu/~hpgavin/ce131/citicorp1.htm   Prepare: Questions for Class Discussion

Recommended:  E-reserve:  Lawrence Hinman, "Chapter 9: The Ethics of Character: Aristotle and Our Contemporaries," in Ethics: A Pluralistic Approach to Moral Theory. 2nd ed. (Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace College Publishers, 1998) 321-64

Jan 22 - HPR "Chapter Three- "Framing the Problem" and Case 19 - Drinking in the Work Place on page 315. Response 1

SOME COMMON ETHICAL APPROACHES IN ENGINEERING ETHICS

Jan 24 -  Utilitarianism:  Jeremy Bentham and Mill  - Read Chapters 1 and 4 from Jeremy Bentham, On the Principles of Morals and Legislation and John Stuart Mill, Chapter Two paragraphs 1-10 from Utilitarianism.  Reading and Class Discussion Questions.  Abstract/Response on Mill -

On the Principles of Morals and Legislation is also available at in Adobe Acrobat at http://socserv.mcmaster.ca/~econ/ugcm/3ll3/bentham/index.html

Jeremy Bentham wanted to contribute to the education of others and donated his body to University College London. You can view Bentham’s body in its case at http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Jeremy_Bentham_Auto-Icon.jpg  and at http://www.ucl.ac.uk/Bentham-Project/info/auto-iconhtm.htm  and  Bentham's Life or Death Mask at  http://www.ucl.ac.uk/Bentham-Project/representations/mask1.htm  

Jan 29-  HPR, "Chapter 4 -Organizing Principles" - pages 77-89 (4.1-4.5) - and Caroline Whitbeck, "Ethics as Design: Doing Justice to Moral Problems," Hastings Center Report 26, no. 3 (1996): 9-16. Available Ebsco Host UI Library.  Persistant Link:  http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=9606256758&site=ehost-live  This is also available on E-reserve.  Classic Criticisms of Utilitarianism -  Outline on website.

Jan 31 -   University Closed - Snow Day - Originally Assigned:   Kant -  E-reserve:. "Kant" from R. Solomon and and C. Martin, Morality and the Good Life. 4th ed. McGraw-Hill, 2003. ISBN 0-07-297895-3  pages 259-276; 281-301, and 305-308.  Reading Abstract/Response on  290-299 (only the primary source, this section includes a lot of comments by Solomon and Martin) Due   If you find the Kant reading tough going, fill out handouts on "Willing a Universal Law" form of the Categorical Imperative  and on applying the  Never as a Means Only" Form of the C.I."  before writing your abstract and comment.  They should aid in understanding.

Feb 5 -  Genetic Engineering with Bioethics Class.  Goering Reading. Kant -  E-reserve:. "Kant" from R. Solomon and and C. Martin, Morality and the Good Life. 4th ed. McGraw-Hill, 2003. ISBN 0-07-297895-3  pages 259-276; 281-301, and 305-308.  Reading Abstract/Response on  290-299 (only the primary source, this section includes a lot of comments by Solomon and Martin) Due   If you find the Kant reading tough going, fill out handouts on "Willing a Universal Law" form of the Categorical Imperative  and on applying the  Never as a Means Only" Form of the C.I."  before writing your abstract and comment.  They should aid in understanding.

Feb 7  -   HPR - Chapter 4 -Organizing Principles"  - pages  88-99 and Case 32 Highway Safety Improvements, pp. 325-326 (we will look at this case from a Kantian perspective this time and discuss some Classic Criticisms of Kantianism

Feb 12   - Essay One Due - Discussion

Feb 14 -  HPR - Chapter 5 "Computers, Individual Responsibility, and Social Policy" - Questions for Presentation and Discussion in Class

Feb 19 -  HPR - Chapter 6 - Honesty, Integrity, and Reliability - Reading and Class Discussion Questions

 ENGINEERING ETHICS AND THE PROFESSION 

Feb  21  -  Examining Codes of Ethics - E-reserve: Michael Davis - "Thinking Like an Engineer:  The Place of a Code of Ethics in the Practice of a Profession"  Not Required,, but helpful:  Albert Flores, "The Philosophical Basis of Engineering Codes of Ethics"  Reading and Discussion Questions

Feb 26 -    Examining Codes of Ethics - E-reserve: Hans Lugenbiehl, " Codes of Ethics and the Moral Education of Engineers" Reading and Discussion Questions  (A defense of the codes by Judith Lichtenberg is also available on e-reserve.)

Feb 28  -   Researching for the Final Paper - How to

Mar 4 -     Bring one article related to your final paper topic.   Bring questions about the paper, presentation, or research process.  Be ready to discuss schedule for the rest of the semester after spring break.  Look over the current syllabus. What topics do you want to cover?  Which should we extend or add?  Which eliminate?  Are there joint readings related to your paper topics we should add?

Mar 6 -    Student Analysis of a Code of Ethics Due - Each student will share  results with class

March 10 - 14 - Spring Recess

Mar 18 -  HPR - Chapter 7 - "Safey, Risk, and Liability in Engineering"- Case 46 Pulverizer - Class Discussion Questions

Mar 20  -  E-reserve:  Aldo Leopold, "The Land Ethic"  from Sand County Almanac.  Reading and Class Discussion Questions

Mar 25-   HPR - Chapter 9 - "Engineers and the Environment" - Class Discussion and Reading Questions

Wed Mar 26 -  Essay Two Due by 5 PM, please email to me as an attachment in Word 2007 or below or WordPerfect 12 or below or pdf file.

Mar 27 - E-reserve:  Sweeney, Aldrin E. Social and Ethical Dimensions of Nanoscale Science and Engineering Research. From: Science & Engineering Ethics. Volume 12(3). July 2006. p. 435-464.  -  Student will provide discussion questions and lead class  (15 points) - Kurt

April 1-    Student Chosen Reading -  Student will provide discussion questions and lead class (15 points) - Ian 

April 3 -  Student Chosen Reading -  Student will provide discussion questions and lead class (15 points) - Sam

April 8 - Annotated Bibliography and Outline of Paper Due

April 10  - HPR - Chapter 8 - Engineers As Employees - Reading and Class Discussion Questions

April  15  - Paper Workshop -  Rough Drafts Due - Peer Reviews of Rough Drafts

 STUDENT PRESENTATIONS AND PAPERS

April 17th - E-reserve: Mary Midgley, "Trying Out One's New Sword" 

April 22 -  Individual Appointments - Sam 11 AM, Ian 11:20 AM, and Kurt 11:40 AM

April 24 - Student Presentations - Sam

April 29 - Student Presentations - Ian

May 1 -  Student Presentations - Kurt

Final Exam Week May 7 - Final Draft of Paper Due by End of Final Exam Period for Class

GRADING

Three Abstract/Responses (1 to 2 pages each) - 15 points each and one set of questions and leading of class discussion on article 15 points = 60 Points

Two Essays (approximately 4 pages long each) - 100 points each = 200 Points

One Student Analysis of a Code of Ethics  - 100 Points

One Paper -  roughly 10 pages - 10 points annotated bibliography and paper outline; 20 points rough draft; 90 points final draft = 120 points

Class Presentation - (same topic as paper) - 40 points

Class Attendance, Participation, and Miscellaneous - 80 points

TOTAL POINTS - 600

COURSE POLICIES

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY INCLUDING PLAGIARISM -Students who cheat or plagiarize or commit any other form of academic dishonesty will receive at a minimum a zero on the work in question. Action may also be taken in the Student Judicial System. For the Dean of Students' Academic Integrity site which includes UI Policies, and Student Academic Dishonesty Resources see http://www.students.uidaho.edu/default.aspx?pid=45708  In terms of citing sources and using quotations, when in doubt, cite. Do not make up citations. Cite correctly all materials used including textbooks, internet sources, and lectures. I will assume that you have read and understood G. Harvey, Writing with Sources. If you have any questions, please e-mail me or see me for help.

COMPUTER POLICY - Each student is expected to:

1. Maintain a UI e-mail account and check this account regularly. From time to time I may send the class e-mail using the Registrar’s system. Please check the e-mail address and other personal contact information in the Registrar’s system to make sure that your current e-mail address, telephone number, etc. is entered.

2. Be able to use either Firefox, Mozilla, or Internet Explorer or an equivalent browser. Check course website regularly.

3. Use a word processing program (preferably Microsoft Word or WordPerfect) and maintain two electronic files (e.g.,  a hard-drive copy and a diskette copy, hard drive and flash drive copy, etc.) of all work submitted. Files should be saved until the final grade is received. If computers are down for an extended period of time, a handwritten copy and a photocopy should be maintained.

4. Check mid-term and final grades on the web and maintain printouts.

5. Use the library's electronic reserve system as well as electronic databases.

ASSIGNMENT AND GRADE RECORD KEEPING -Students are expected to save all graded work until final grades are recorded with the registrar and checked by the student.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION - Students who require accommodation should notify the instructor the first week of class. All accommodations must be approved through Disability Support Services located in the Idaho Commons Building, Rm. 333 - 885-7200 - email at dss@uidaho.edu I am happy to work with you and with DSS. If you need accommodations, please make sure that I know. I will do my best to support you in your work.

LATE PAPERS - Late Abstract/Responses  are not accepted unless due to illness, university excused activities, court appearances, or other excuses considered valid by the instructor.  Doctor's excuses, court summons, letter from athletic department, instructor's letter concerning UI field trip are acceptable documentation.  The Dean of Students Office can provide me with written notification of deaths in the family, serious illness, etc. that you were not able to inform me of in advance. Excuses will be accepted at the instructor’s discretion. Unexcused late essays and papers drop one grade for each day they are late including days the Philosophy Office is closed.  If necessary, you may email them to me as attachments in MS Word 2000 or below or WordPerfect 12 or below.

ATTENDANCE AND CLASS PARTICIPATION - Students may miss one class period without penalty, even if this absence is unexcused. Absences due to university scheduled events such as athletic events in which one is participating, field trips, illnesses, family problems, military duty, etc. should be reported to me in advance of class if at all possible. Doctor's excuses, copy of court summons, letter from athletic department, instructor's letter concerning UI field trip, and dates of military service letter copies are acceptable. The Dean of Students Office can provide me with written notification of deaths in the family, serious illness, etc. Other than officially approved university excuses, excuses will be accepted at the instructor’s discretion. Students will be called on to participate regularly. This includes such things as individual verbal participation and small group work. Because of the nature of the class, attendance is essential. Students with four or more unexcused absences will receive an F.

HELP - Please do not hesitate to come to see me for help.