Honors Ethics in America

COURSE OBJECTIVES

At the end of this course, you'll be able to learn the moral and ethical theories of the ancient Greeks through contemporary philosophers and contemplate the many issues we face in present day America.

COURSE FORMAT

Chapters: 16; Lessons: 103

Like all other courses in our curriculum, Philosophy 102: Ethics in America will be taught utilizing the flipped classroom model within an overall gamified Classcraft classroom. Your classroom instructor will act as the class facilitator and Gamemaster who will supplement and further enrich the curriculum with other learning materials, research projects, essays, and virtual simulations and games, as well as group activities, discussions and formal debates.

Philosophy 102: Ethics in America was created by a panel of expert instructors break down concepts with bite-sized, animated video lessons which are organized into topical chapters that improve comprehension and retention, making learning fun and engaging.  Each video is approximately 5-10 minutes in length and comes with a quick quiz to help you measure your "first exposure learning" during the pre-work phase prior to the actual class.

At the end of each chapter, you will complete a chapter test to see if you're ready to move on or have some material to review. Once you've completed the entire course, take the practice test and use the study tools in the course to prepare for the Philosophy 102: Ethics in America exam. You may take the proctored final exam for college/dual credit whenever you are ready.

COURSE TOPICS

INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION BOARD

Each chapter features an interactive discussion board powered by Discussion Hero, a gamified platform developed by Northwestern University. Students choose between "hero" and "villain" roles and avatars, earning points for their contributions. This fosters a sense of competition and engagement, making discussions even more rewarding.

Benefits of Participating in Discussions:

1. Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills:  Go beyond memorization and passive learning by analyzing information, evaluating different perspectives, and forming your own conclusions.

2. Enhance communication skills:  Practice clear communication, learn to articulate your ideas effectively, and develop respectful listening and rebuttal skills.

3. Fosters a collaborative learning environment:  Learn from each other, share knowledge, and collaborate on problem-solving, creating a dynamic and enriching learning community.

4. Deepen your understanding of the content:  Actively engaging with the course material through discussion solidifies and expands your understanding beyond lectures and readings.

5. Provides diverse perspectives:  Discussions expose you to different viewpoints and interpretations, encouraging critical thinking and broadening your understanding of the subject matter.

6. Offers opportunities for self-reflection:  Examining your own thoughts and arguments in response to prompts and engaging with others' perspectives helps solidify your learning and identify areas for further exploration.

7. Apply knowledge to real-world scenarios:  Apply course concepts to real-world situations through discussions, enhancing the material's relevance.

8. Build a digital learning portfolio:  Discussions serve as a reference for your learning journey, allowing you to revisit key concepts and track your progress.

9. Develop digital literacy:  Discussions provide a platform to practice online communication etiquette, including respectful disagreement, constructive argumentation, and responsible information sharing.

To actively engage in meaningful learning and reap the benefits mentioned above, participation in each chapter's discussion board is expected and will contribute to your overall grade. Your instructor will provide a clear rubric within Discussion Hero outlining the expectations for participation and how your contributions will be evaluated. This ensures consistent and transparent assessment while allowing you to showcase your understanding and critical thinking skills throughout the course.

COURSE OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Define morality, recognize basic principles of morality, and identify approaches to the study of morality.

• Recognize theories of moral development and moral belief systems.

• Identify the origins of legal, moral, and ethical approaches in America and Western traditions.

• Differentiate consequentialist and non-consequentialist views of morality.

• List major moral questions related to life and death.

• Apply various moral and ethical paradigms to issues surrounding sexuality and interpersonal relations.

• Recognize the role and application of morals and ethics in business, politics, medicine, and the justice system in the United States.

• Identify categories of human rights and moral and ethical issues associated with humanitarian intervention.

• List the ways in which humans impact the environment and summarize the moral responsibility of humans to rectify the damage.

PREREQUISITES

There are no prerequisites for this course.

COLLEGE OR DUAL CREDIT

Philosophy 102: Ethics in America has been evaluated and recommended by ACE for 3 semester hours and may be transferred to over 2,000 colleges and universities. If you're seeking college credit, after completing this course, you can take the online proctored exam at any time for an additional fee.