PHIL 2625 - Introduction to Professional Ethics
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 12, CRN 41377,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Zachary Robbins
Email: zjrobbins@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 | Ethical Issues in Professional Life | Joan C. Callahan | 0195050266 |
| Required | Additional Readings provided on Blackboard | Various |
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 | Course materials not designated with "(Blackboard)" are from the required textbook | Students should obtain the text, familiarize themselves with the BlackBoard site, download and print the syllabus and the Moral Theory reading packet, and report any difficulties to the instructor. Begin working on the next module. | Familiarize yourself with Blackboard, the course material, and course navigation. Create a "Student Introductions" Discussions Post |
| 8/31 | Chapter 1: Basics and Background, Joan Callahan Moral Theory Reading Pack (BlackBoard) |
Introduction to Moral Theory | Watch Course Lectures |
| 9/7 | Chapter 1: Basics and Background, Joan Callahan Moral Theory Reading Pack (BlackBoard) |
Introduction to Moral Theory | Discussion Post 1 Quiz 1 |
| 9/14 | “The Professions,” Michael Bayles “Professions and Emerging Professions,” Bernard Barber |
Chapter 2: Professions/Professionalization | Watch Course Lectures Quiz 2 Discussion Post 2 |
| 9/21 | “Professional Responsibility of the Criminal Defense Lawyer: The Three Hardest Questions Movie Clip: Anatomy of a Murder (Blackboard) “Is Business Bluffing Ethical,” Albert Carr (Blackboard) “The Business of Ethics,” Norman Gillespie (Blackboard) |
Chapter 3: Occupational and Ordinary Morality | Watch Course Lectures |
| 9/28 | “Professional Responsibility of the Criminal Defense Lawyer: The Three Hardest Questions “Is Business Bluffing Ethical,” Albert Carr (Blackboard) “The Business of Ethics,” Norman Gillespie (Blackboard) Movie Clip: Anatomy of a Murder (Blackboard) |
Chapter 3: Occupational and Ordinary Morality | Discussion Post 3 Quiz 3 |
| 10/5 | “Models for Ethical Medicine in a Revolutionary Age,” Robert Veatch “From Loyalty to Advocacy: A New Metaphor for Nursing,” Gerald Winslow “Academic Paternalism,” Joan Callahan |
Chapter 4: Professionals and Clients | Case Study 1 (Blackboard) Discussion Post 4 Quiz 4 Watch Course Lectures |
| 10/12 | “Should Doctor’s Tell the Truth?” Joseph Collins “Lying and Lies to the Sick and Dying,” Sissela Bok |
Chapter 5: Deception | Discussion Post 5 Quiz 5 Watch Course Lectures |
| 10/19 | “Can You Pass the Job Test,” Newsweek “Privacy, Morality and the Law,” W. A. Parent “Invasions of Privacy in Social Science Research,” Terry Pinkard |
Chapter 5: Deception | Watch Course Lectures |
| 10/26 | “Can You Pass the Job Test,” Newsweek “Privacy, Morality and the Law,” W. A. Parent “Invasions of Privacy in Social Science Research,” Terry Pinkard |
Chapter 5: Deception | Discussion Post 6 Quiz 6 |
| 11/2 | “Corporate Moral Agency,” Peter French (Blackboard) . “Corporate Moral Agency: The Case for Anthropological Bigotry,” John Danley (Blackboard) Movie Clips: The Corporation (Blackboard) |
Chapter 8: Individual and Collective Responsibility | Watch Course Lectures Case Study 2: Tearoom Trade p. 256 (11/2) |
| 11/9 | “Corporate Moral Agency,” Peter French (Blackboard) . “Corporate Moral Agency: The Case for Anthropological Bigotry,” John Danley (Blackboard) Movie Clips: The Corporation (Blackboard) |
Chapter 8: Individual and Collective Responsibility | Discussion Post 7 Quiz 7 |
| 11/16 | “The Social Responsibility of Business,” Milton Friedman (Blackboard) “Changing the Social Contract: A Role for Business,” Melvin Anshen (Blackboard) |
Chapter 10: Social Responsibility and Justice | Watch Course Lectures |
| 11/23 | “The Social Responsibility of Business,” Milton Friedman (Blackboard) “Changing the Social Contract: A Role for Business,” Melvin Anshen (Blackboard) |
Chapter 10: Social Responsibility and Justice | Discussion Post 8 Quiz 8 |
| 11/30 | “In Defense of Whistle Blowing,” Gene James (Blackboard) “Ten Whistleblowers and How They Fared,” Myron Glazer (Blackboard) |
Chapter 9: Social Responsibility and Professional Dissent | Watch Course Lectures |
| 12/7 | “In Defense of Whistle Blowing,” Gene James (Blackboard) “Ten Whistleblowers and How They Fared,” Myron Glazer (Blackboard) |
Chapter 9: Social Responsibility and Professional Dissent | Discussion Post 9 Quiz 9 Extra Credit |
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.