PHI 105 - The Morals of Our Stories (W) (1)

This course will examine ethical theories and notions embedded in the discourse of storytelling. Moral lessons and norms are conveyed in the pages as the tale unfolds and the characters develop. Through the use of fable, fiction and film, the ethical principles of major philosophical systems, such as relativism, utilitarianism, egoism, deontological and virtue ethics, will be discerned, analyzed, and critically evaluated. This moral foundation will set the stage for the exploration of how such viewpoints are captured in various stories, and what the tales have to tell us about our selves, our human condition, and our obligations to each other morally, socially and politically. As a seminar in first- year writing, strong emphasis will be placed on the development of academic writing skills through formal and informal writing assignments, guided writing and revision processes, and an exploration of writing techniques and strategies to hone reflective and effective writing skills. Not open to students who have previously completed a First-Year Writing Course.
(First Year Writing Seminar (FYW)) (Humanities)