PHIL 2625 - Introduction to Professional Ethics
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 41672,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Dylan Dunn
Email: dddunn@ysu.edu
Course Description
2625. Introduction to Professional Ethics. An examination of the ideals and virtues central to professionalism; study of selected codes of professional ethics and their roots in classical ethical traditions; and analysis of selected ethical issues and problems in a variety of professions. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | 1. Ethical Issues in Professional Life, edited by Joan C. Callahan | Oxford University Press | 19-505026-6 |
| Required | 2. Additional Readings on Blackboard |
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Ensure Access to Content (Blackboard) Class Introduction (Discussion Board) Download/Access Moral Theory Study Guide |
Course Introduction | All due: 08/30 |
| 8/31 | Textbook: Ch.1 Basics and Background (pp. 3–13), Joan Callahan Movie Clip: part of a West Wing Discussion 1 [09/07: Holiday (University closed): Labor Day] |
Module 1: Introduction to Moral Theory | All Due: 09/06 |
| 9/7 | Textbook: Ch. 1 (pp. 14–24) Moral Theory Study Guide* QUIZ 1 |
Module 1 (Contd.) | All Due: 09/13 |
| 9/14 | Textbook: Ch. 2: Professions/Professionalization: “The Professions,” Michael Bayles “Professions and Emerging Professions,” Bernard Barber Discussion 2 |
Module 2: The Profession | All Due: 09/20 |
| 9/21 | Textbook: Ch. 2: “Professions,” Everett Hughes Blackboard: “Altruism is at the Heart of Our Story,” Giuffra QUIZ 2: Practice Case Study* |
Module 2 (Contd.) | All Due: 09/27 |
| 9/28 | Textbook: Ch. 3: Occupational and Ordinary Morality: “Professional Responsibility of the Criminal Defense Lawyer: The Three Hardest Questions,” Monroe Freedman Movie Clip: Anatomy of a Murder “Is Business Bluffing Ethical,” Albert Carr “The Business of Ethics,” Norman Gillespie Discussion 3 |
Module 3: Occupational vs Ordinary Morality | All Due: 10/04 |
| 10/5 | Textbook: Ch. 3: “Ruthlessness in Public Life,” Thomas Nagel Moral Theory Study Guide* QUIZ 3 |
Module 3 (Contd.) | All Due: 10/11 |
| 10/12 | Textbook: Ch. 4: Professionals and Clients: “Models for Ethical Medicine in a Revolutionary Age,” Robert Veatch “Contract or Covenant,” William F. May “Academic Paternalism,” Joan Callahan Discussion 4 QUIZ 4 |
Module 4: Professionals and Clients | Discussion 4: Due (10/16) QUIZ 4: Due (10/18) |
| 10/19 | Textbook Ch. 5: Deception “Should Doctor’s Tell the Truth?” Joseph Collins “Lying and Lies to the Sick and Dying,” Sissela Bok “Lies for the Public Good,” Sissela Bok Discussion 5 QUIZ 5 |
Module 4 (Contd.) | Discussion 5: Due (10/23) Quiz 5: Due (10/25) |
| 10/26 | Textbook Ch. 6: Informed Consent “Opinion in Canterbury vs. Spence,” Judge Spotswood Robinson III. “Informed (but Uneducated) Consent,” Franz J. Ingelfinger “Cheaper than Chimpanzees,” Jessica Mitford Discussion 6 QUIZ 6 |
Module 5: Informed Consent | Discussion 6: Due (10/30) QUIZ 6: Due (11/01) |
| 11/2 | Textbook: Ch. 7: Privacy and Confidentiality: “Can You Pass the Job Test?” Newsweek “Privacy, Morality and the Law,” W. A. Parent “Invasions of Privacy in Social Science Research,” Terry Pinkard QUIZ 7 |
Module 6: Privacy; Confidentiality; Corporate Moral Agency | QUIZ 7: (Due: 11/08) |
| 11/9 | [11/11: Holiday (University closed): Veteran’s Day] Textbook: Ch. 8: Individual and Collective Responsibility: “Corporate Moral Agency,” Peter French “ Corporate Moral Agency: The Case for Anthropological Bigotry,” John Danley Movie Clips: The Corporation QUIZ 8 |
Module 6 (Contd.) | QUIZ 8: Due (11/15) [Select Case Study for Presentation: Due 11/09] |
| 11/16 | Textbook: Ch. 9: Social Responsibility and Professional Dissent: “In Defense of Whistle Blowing,” Gene James “Ten Whistleblowers and How They Fared,” Myron Glazer “Whistleblowing and Professional Responsibilities,” Sissela Bok Textbook: Ch. 10: Social Responsibility and Justice: “The Social Responsibility of Business,” Milton Friedman |
Module 7: Responsibility | [QUIZ 9: 11/24] |
| 11/23 | [Work on your Case Study Presentation] QUIZ 9 [11/25–11/29: Holiday: Thanksgiving Break] |
Module 7 (Contd.) | QUIZ 9: Due (11/24) |
| 11/30 | [Work on Case Study Presentation] | Due: 12/07 | |
| 12/7 | Case Study Presentation Due: 12/07 |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.