Justice, Morality and the Law
Prof. Deirdre Golash
Spring 2004

  • Class hours: MTh 11:20-12:35
  • Office hours: MWTh 5-7 pm
  • Office: Ward 252
  • Phone: 885-2955
  • e-mail: dgolash@american.edu
    NB:  To insure that your email is read promptly, please include "JLS 308" in your subject line.
  • Teaching Assistant: Jim Martin

Course Description:

This course focuses on the philosophical grounding of various positions on moral issues in the public forum. After studying two principal approaches to moral questions, we will apply them to specific current issues.  The course will also examine the limits of law in enforcing moral standards and the tensions between liberty and control.  You will be encouraged to develop and argue for your own position on these issues. 

Course text:  Francis Beckwith, ed., Do the Right Thing:  Readings in Applied Ethics and Social Philosophy

Requirements:

  1. All students are expected to attend class regularly, to have read the day's assignment, and to be prepared to discuss the reading. Attendance and participation are 10% of your course grade.
  2. There will be one test (15% of your grade) and a final examination (25%).
  3. There will be two papers (each 25% of your grade).  Papers must be turned in on time.

 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Dates are approximate, and reading assignments may be changed. 
Changes will be announced in class.

M January 12

Introduction

.

Moral Theory

Th January 15

Benedict, A Defense of Moral Relativism
Beckwith, A Critique of Moral Relativism

- Visit course webpage and send email to me
- Forward your AU email.

M January 19

Martin Luther King Day - Holiday

.

Th January 22-
Th January 29

Mill, Utilitarianism

.

M February 2 -
Th February 5

Kant, The Categorical Imperative

.

Punishment

M February 9- Th February 12

Brandt, Punishment and Utility [handout]

 

M February 16

 TEST (Moral Theory)

M February 23 - Th February 26

Kant, Excerpt from Science of Right
Morris, Persons and Punishment [handout]

.

Abortion

M March 1

Roe v. Wade
Planned Parenthood v. Casey 

 

Th March 4

Warren, Moral and Legal Status of Abortion
Schwarz, Personhood Begins at Conception

March 6-14

SPRING BREAK

.

M March 15- Th March 18

Thomson, A Defense of Abortion
Beckwith, Arguments from Bodily Rights

 

M March 22

JS Mill, On Liberty , ch. 2 & 4

 FIRST PAPER DUE MARCH 21

Pornography

Th March 25

Miller v. California
Paris Adult Theater v. Slaton
Ashcroft v. ACLU (read syllabus only)

 
M March 29 Class cancelled

Th April 1

Model Antipornography Ordinance
Duggan et al., Feminist Antipornography Legislation
Bork, Case for Censorship

 

M April 5

Berger, Pornography, Sex, and Censorship
Mackinnon,  Sexual Politics of First Amendment

 
Gay marriage

Th April 8

Bowers v. Hardwick
Lawrence v. Texas

 

M April 12

Mohr
Pakaluk, Homosexuality and the Common Good

 

Th April 15

George, 'Same-Sex Marriage'
Bolte, Do Wedding Dresses Come in Lavender?

 

Genetic Engineering and Human Cloning

M April 19

Robertson, Rights, Symbolism, and Public Policy
Rae, Spare Parts from the Unborn

 

Th April 22- M April 26

Kass, Wisdom of Repugnance
Smith, Ignorance is Not Bliss

SECOND PAPER DUE APRIL 26

Monday May 3, 11:20

            

FINAL EXAM