12th Grade Ethics
John Bellaimey
The Breck School, Minneapolis

Overview
This semester-long course is required of all seniors. In the first half of the course, we study some the world's main schools of ethical thought, as seen through nine philosophies of ethics. In the second half, students construct and test their own ethical philosophy against the pressing moral problems of our day.

Course Content
I. Worldviews: a survey of ethical systems and worldviews,
including Cultural Relativism, Ethical Egoism, Behaviorism, Utilitarianism, Kantian Ethics, Virtue Ethics, Situation Ethics, Natural Law Ethics, and Divine Command Theory.
II. Interlude: viewing of the biography of a complicated ethical hero, such as Oscar Schindler.
III. Constructing your own. (Ethical Credo Paper)
IV. Decisions: Testing Your Credo

Issues
Sexual Morality, Abortion, Capital Punishment, Animal Rights, Euthanasia, Suicide, Job Discrimination, Ecology...

Materials and Activities
Two Books: Steve Wilkens' Beyond Bumper-Sticker Ethics (IVP)
Olen & Barry's Applying Ethics: a text with readings (Wadsworth)
Two Films: e.g.: Quiz Show, Shawshank Redemption

Assessment:
One open-note test on the ethical philosophies,
One major paper:Credo Paper (sources & influences of your ethics, your rule of thumb, your key virtues).
Occasional reading quizzes.
Senior speech to entire school in Chapel, exploring an issue of meaning or value.
One debate (group).
One solo presentation applying your credo to an actual ethical dilemma.

email: <john.bellaimey@breckschool.org>
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