ECON 115

Economics of Social Issues

&

PHIL 102

Ethics, Politics, & Law

Fall Quarter 2005

Important note:  Students taking the

course as ECON 115 may apply this as

satisfying the PHIL 102 requirement in

the PPE major

Drs Colleen & Jeff Johnson

Colleen's Office Hours:

9:00 - 10:30 M-Th & by appointment

Jeff's Office Hours

10:00 - 11:00 M-Th & by appointment

Almost any serious economic social issue raises corresponding ethical, political, and legal issues.  Conversely, many of the most pressing moral and political issues in contemporary society can only be addressed through an understanding and appreciation of the economic consequences of public policy solutions.  It obviously makes sense, therefore, to occasionally combine ECON 115 and PHIL 102 and explore these issues in a truly interdisciplinary fashion.  We believe that we can promise you a challenging, but interesting and genuinely significant course this quarter.  We are certainly very excited about the opportunity to collaborate in teaching it.

There will be a number of "texts" for this course, all of which are available on-line.  In addition, we will be utilizing contemporary cinema as a different sort of text for raising moral and legal questions.  Every Wednesday evening at 6:00 we will be showing a movie related to our readings and discussions.  Students are required to see at least seven of these films.

UWR Writing Intensive Outcomes:

• Students will produce at least 3,000 words (including drafts, in-class writing, informal papers, and polished papers); 1,000 words of this total should be in polished papers which students have revised after receiving feedback and criticism.

• Students will be introduced to the discourse forms appropriate to the discipline the course represents.

• Students will write at least one paper integrating information from at least one source, employing the appropriate documentation style for the discipline represented by the course.

• Students will draft, revise, and edit their formal written work.

• Students will seek assistance from a Writing Tutor in the Writing Lab when needed and when referred by the instructor.

Additional Outcomes:

1. Understand the concept of civic engagement

2. Understand the economic, philosophical and legal controversies concerning democracy, justice, capitalism, globalization, war, race, and health care

3. Read philosophical and economic texts critically and with understanding.

4. Critically view cinema dealing with social issues.

5. Write effectively about economic, philosophical and legal controversies.

6. Write effectively about social issues in contemporary cinema

7. Critically discuss economic, moral and social controversies.

Means of Assessment and Grading:

• In-class mid-term essay exam -- 25% of course grade. (outcomes 1, 2, 3, and 5)

• An in-class final essay exam -- 25% of course grade. (outcomes 1, 2, 3, and 5)

• A 1000 to 1500 words analytical paper explaining and assessing an economic/moral/legal controversy -- 25% of course grade. (outcomes 2, 3 and 5)

• Seven short (300 to 400 words) on assigned movies -- 10% of course grade. (outcomes 4 and 6)

• Attendance and participation in Monday small group discussion -- 15% of course grade.  (outcomes 2 and 7)

• Extra credit option for students undertaking civic engagement contract -- an additional .5 grade points added to final grade (outcome 1)

• Please note: a grade of C- is required in order for this course to count toward the University Writing Requirement 

Link to movie prompts

ACADEMIC HONESTY

We are including below Eastern's Academic Honesty Code.  It is vitally important that you carefully read it, and that you understand that it is our intention to follow this code to the letter.  We really can't think of a better way to ruin your experience with this course, than to disregard this code.  Obviously, if you have any questions, we can't urge you too strongly to ask one of us.

ACADEMIC HONESTY CODE

All members of the Eastern Oregon University academic community are responsible for compliance with its Academic Honesty Code. Students are required to report violations to the respective faculty member of a course. Provisions of the Academic Honesty Code are:

1. Collaboration while taking any quizzes, in-class examinations, or take home examinations without the instructor's written approval is forbidden. The faculty member is responsible for defining limits for other collaborative learning activities for each course.

2. Plagiarism or representation of the work of others as one's own is forbidden. The faculty member will make clear the format for properly citing sources of information not original by the student.

3. Explicit approval by all instructors is required if the same work is to be submitted to more than one course, even if is not within the same term.

Violations of the Academic Honesty Code may result in both academic and behavioral penalties including possible suspension or expulsion from the University.

An automatic grade of zero for any work which is a violation of the Academic Honesty Code will be assigned by the instructor. The instructor may also assign a grade of F for the course after discussion with the respective School Dean. Students may appeal the course grade to the respective School Dean, who is the final level of appeal on the matter of course grade penalties for academic dishonesty.

The faculty member is also required to file a disciplinary complaint to the Vice President for Student Affairs about any student believed to have violated the Academic Honesty Code. If deemed appropriate, hearing procedures will be implemented by a University Hearing Officer as outlined in the Code of Student Conduct. Possible sanctions considered by the Student Conduct Committee include probation, suspension, and expulsion.

TENTATIVE CALENDAR