PHIL 1120 Environmental Ethics

Description

Environmental Ethics will explore moral obligations between humankind and our natural world. An introduction to ethical theory is included in the course. Topics will include such issues as the nature of our duties toward animal rights, preservation and conservation, climate change, and intergenerational justice.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

STSK 0095 or placement by multiple measures

Corequisite

None

Topics to be Covered

1. Theories of Ethics (e.g. Utilitarianism, Deontology, Social Contract Theory, Virtue Ethics)

2. Ways of valuing nature and the environment (Anthropocentric vs. Anti-Anthropocentric views)

3. Theories of Nature (e.g. Biocentrism, Ecocentrism, Anthropocentrism, Deep Ecology, Environmental Pragmatism, Ecofeminism)

4. Animal Rights/Ethics (e.g. Veganism, Animal Experimentation, Animal Property status, Fur, Hunting)

5. Intergenerational Justice as it pertains to environmental and natural resource use, management, conservation, and restoration.

6. Examination of current issues in environmental ethics (e.g. Environmental Management, Climate Change, Conservation and Preservation, Natural Resource Use, Population Issues, Pollution, International Responsibilities and Obligations).

7. Contrasting Western and Nonwestern perspectives as they pertain to environmental ethics

Learning Outcomes

1. Apply one’s own ethical responses to classic and/or modern writings on topics assigned for reading in environmental ethics.

2. Demonstrate the implication of ethical theories upon the relationship between humankind and its broader natural environment.

3. Consider case studies in order to identify the causes of ethical and legal tensions existing in the issue, which inevitably include social and scientific considerations.

4. Identify the different institutions at play that deal with different environmental or natural resource challenges as learned in class.

5. Demonstrate the distinction and interplay between individual members of ecosystems and the biotic community as a whole.

6. Develop and advocate student positions on best possible solutions to environmental problems, given environmentally informed considerations.

7. Develop and advocate student positions on best possible solutions to environmental problems, given ethically informed considerations.

8. Research and then share a current topic of relevance, culminating in an analysis and application of ethical theory to an environmental issue.

Credit Details

Lecture: 3

Lab: 0

OJT: 0

MnTC Goal Area(s): Goal Area 09 - Ethical and Civic Responsibility, Goal Area 10: People and the Environment

Minnesota Transfer Curriculum Goal Area(s) and Competencies

Goal Area 09: Ethical and Civic Responsibility

1. Examine, articulate, and apply their own ethical views

2. Understand and apply core concepts (e.g. politics, rights and obligations, justice, liberty) to specific issues

3. Analyze and reflect on the ethical dimensions of legal, social, and scientific issues

5. Identify ways to exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship

Goal Area 10: People and the Environment

3. Describe the basic institutional arrangements (social, legal, political, economic, religious) that are evolving to deal with environmental and natural resource challenges

4. Evaluate critically environmental and natural resource issues in light of understandings about interrelationships, ecosystems, and institutions

5. Propose and assess alternative solutions to environmental problems

6. Articulate and defend the actions they would take on various environmental issues