PHIL 2625 - Introduction to Professional Ethics
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 09, CRN 40097,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Linette Stratford
Email: lmstratford@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 | Ethics Across the Professions, 2nd Edition | Clancy Martin, Wayne Vaught, Robert Solomon. | 9780190298708 |
The text is in the campus bookstore.
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
| Day | Date | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | 8/24 | Producer Consciousness Producer Consciousness, Handout Dr. Homer Warren and Linette Stratford | Producer Consciousness | |
| Wed | 8/26 | Producer Consciousness Producer Consciousness, Handout Dr. Homer Warren and Linette Stratford | Producer Consciousness | |
| Mon | 8/31 | Introduction to Ethics | Introduction to Ethics | |
| Wed | 9/2 | Introduction to Ethics | Introduction to Ethics | |
| Mon | 9/7 | Professionals: Some Moral Issues Richard A. Wasserstrom The Professions Michael D. Bayles | Professionalism | Case 1.2: Nick Denton, "Less Heat, More Light" |
| Wed | 9/9 | On Ethical Relativism Walter Stace The Ring of Gyges Plato | Relativism | |
| Mon | 9/14 | Utilitarianism, John Stuart Mill Case 2.2: Bernard Williams, “George, Jim, and Utilitarianism” | Utilitrianism | 2.2: Bernard Williams, “George, Jim, and Utilitarianism” |
| Wed | 9/16 | Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysics of Morals, Immanuel Kant | Deontonlogy | |
| Mon | 9/21 | On the Natural Condition of Mankind as Concerning Their Felicity and Misery Thomas Hobbes The Construction of Good John Dewey Case 2.1: James Rachels, “The Prisoner’s Dilemma” | Social Contract | Case 2.1: James Rachels, “The Prisoner’s Dilemma” |
| Wed | 9/23 | On the Good Life Aristotle On Feminist Ethics Virginia Held | Virtue Ethics/Feminist Ethics | |
| Mon | 9/28 | Chapter 3 The Professional – Client Relationship Michael D. Bayles | Professional Client Relationship | |
| Wed | 9/30 | Opinion in Canterbury v. Spence Judge Spotswood W. Robinson, III Producer Consciousness Assignment Due | Canterbury v. Spence Opinion | Producer Consciousness Assignment Due |
| Mon | 10/5 | The Limits of Conscientious Objection – May Pharmacists Refuse to Fill Prescriptions for Emergency Contraception? Alan Meisel and Mark Kuczewski Case 3.3: Allison Stevens, “Target at the Center of Battle over Plan B” | Conscientious Objection | Case 3.3: Allison Stevens, “Target at the Center of Battle over Plan B” |
| Wed | 10/7 | Midterm Review | ||
| Mon | 10/12 | Midterm Review | Producer Consciousness Assignment Returned | |
| Wed | 10/14 | Midterm (Remote on Blackboard) | ||
| Mon | 10/19 | Is It Ever Right to Lie? Robert C. Solomon Review Instructions for Position Paper | Lying | |
| Wed | 10/21 | Lying and Lies to the Sick and Dying Sissela Bok Case 4.1: Stephen Hess, “Lying (for Journalists)” | Lying | Case 4.1: Stephen Hess, “Lying (for Journalists)” |
| Mon | 10/26 | The Limits of Confidentiality Sissela Bok | Confidentiality | |
| Wed | 10/28 | Privacy Rights, Crime Prevention, CCTV, and the Life of Mrs. Aremac Jesper Ryberg Case 5.3: Dwight Garner, “You’re a Voyeur, I’m a Voyeur” | Privacy | Case 5.3: Dwight Garner, “You’re a Voyeur, I’m a Voyeur” |
| Mon | 11/2 | Whistleblowing and Employee Loyalty Ronald Duska | Whistleblowing | |
| Wed | 11/4 | Politics and Moral Character Bernard Williams Case 6.4: Mimi Swants and Sherron Watkins, “Winners and Losers” | Politics and Character | Case 6.4: Mimi Swants and Sherron Watkins, “Winners and Losers” |
| Mon | 11/9 | The Parable of the Sadhu Bowen H. McCoy | The Parable of the Sadhu | In Class Groups Discussion |
| Wed | 11/11 | No class - Veteran's Day | ||
| Mon | 11/16 | Rich and Poor Peter Singer What Should a Billionaire Give – And What Should You? Peter Singer | Utility and Obligations to the Poor | |
| Wed | 11/18 | Case 7.4: Plato, “The Carpenter and the Cobbler” | Plato | Groups Discussions in Class |
| Mon | 11/23 | Social Responsibility and Economic Efficiency Kenneth J. Arrow Case 8.1: Scott J. Turner, “Drug Company Gifts: Marketing Technique Poses Ethical Questions for Some” Position Paper Due | Social Responsibility and Efficiency | Case 8.1: Scott J. Turner, “Drug Company Gifts: Marketing Technique Poses Ethical Questions for Some” Position Paper Due |
| Wed | 11/25 | No Classs | ||
| Mon | 11/30 | Final Exam Review | ||
| Wed | 12/2 | Final Exam Review Position Paper Returned Position Paper Returned | Position Paper Returned | |
| Mon | 12/7 | Final Exam (Remote on Blackboard) Monday 5:30 to 7:30 | Final Exam (Remote on Blackboard) Monday 5:30 to 7:30 |
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.