PHIL 2523 Ethics Syllabus 010 Spring 2026

Credit Hours 3.00 Lecture Hours 3 Clinical/Lab Hours 0
Type of Credit
CIP Code
38.0103
Course Meeting Time

T, Th 9:30-10:45 a.m.

Course Description
An evaluation of competing philosophical justifications of moral responsibility. Issues such as obligation, praise and blame, right and wrong, goodness and badness will likely be examined. IAI: H4 904.
Prerequisites
Appropriate assessment score or ENGL 1422 with a grade of C or better - Must be taken either prior to or at the same time as this course.

Course Alignment

IAI Number
H4-904
IAI Title
Ethics
General Education Outcomes

General Education Outcomes are the knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and behaviors that students are expected to develop as a result of their overall experiences with any aspect of the college, including courses, programs, and student services, both inside and outside of the classroom. The General Education Outcomes specifically learned in this course are:

  1. Critical Thinking

Faculty Contact Information

Faculty Name
Kenneth West
Faculty Email
Faculty Phone
8158028734
Faculty Office Number
L319
Faculty Student Support Hours

T, Th 10:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Faculty Information

Kenneth West

Course Information

Course Outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Identify a variety of ethical theories and apply these ethical theories.
  2. Identify the authors of ethical theories and their ethical theories in a comprehensive manner.
  3. Expound on particular ethical points, which you will examine, analyze, comprehend, criticize and interpret.
  4. Define pertinent ethical terminology, which will enable you to converse and dialog with others in the arena of human ethics.
  5. Analyze in some depth at least six ethical theories.
  6. Analyze decision making by using particular moral theories.
  7. Analyze how ethics affects our personal, professional, societal, and political lives.
  8. Assess various methods of moral decision-making.
  9. Compare and contrast ethical theories in writing.
Textbook/s and Course Materials

John Stewart Mill, Utilitarianism

Immanuel Kant, Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals

Course Packet

Methods of Evaluation

Examinations

Term Paper

Academic Division

Liberal Arts & Sciences

Dean, Jennifer Huggins; 815-802-8484; R310; jhuggins@kcc.edu; Division Office- W102; 815-802-8700

Course Policies

1. Late work need not be accepted for submission.
2. Make up examinations will be deducted 15 points.
3. Sleeping is unacceptable behavior in a college classroom. Don't do it. If you fall asleep, I'll ask you to
leave. If you're tired, stay home.
4. Class citizenship involves more than simply showing up for class. It also means participating actively in
discussions, asking questions, preparing for class, and respectfully engaging with others in creating a
healthy learning environment.
5. Unless otherwise stated, the use of laptops, smart phones, and watches is not permitted during class
sessions or examinations.

Course Calendar
WeekReading
January 12John Stewart Mill, Utilitarianism, Ch 1.
January 18Utilitarianism, Ch. 2.
January 25Utilitarianism, Ch. 3
February 1Utilitarianism, Ch. 4
February 8Utilitarianism, Ch. 5
February 15Immanuel Kant,Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, “Preface”.
February 22Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, Ch. 1
March 1Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, Ch. 2
March 8Spring Break
March 15Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, Ch. 3
March 22Peter van Inwagen, “The Powers of Rational Beings: Freedom of the Will” (Course Packet)
March 29“How to Write a Philosophy Paper” (Canvas)
April 5Selection from David Hume, Treatise of Human Nature (Course Packet)
April 12Selection from Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan (Course Packet)
April 19Leviathan (Course Packet)
May 3Leviathan (Course Packet)

College Policies, Resources and Supports

College Policies

For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide. 

Resources

KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:

  • Clubs and organizations
  • Counseling and referral services
  • Office of disability services
  • Student complaint policy
  • Transfer services
  • Tutoring services, etc.