Friday, September 7th

Objectives

• Demonstrate your understanding of the 3 moral theories (Deontology, Utilitarianism and Rights Ethics).

Essential Question:  How do we decide what makes something morally right/wrong?

Agenda

• Starter:  Take 10 minutes to review your group's notes on your moral theory.

• Jigsaw mash-up! Teach your moral theory to two other students and learn about their moral theories.
• 5 minutes- Explain your moral philosophy:
• Who are the most important philosophers?
• Share the definitions of unfamiliar terms/words
• Explain your summary and any other important information 
• Share your moral dilemma and explain how your theory solves it
• Make sure your group members would be able to answer your quiz questions
• If time, go over the answers to the "Exercise" questions
• 1 minute- Clarifying questions from group members (i.e. when was Locke born?)
• 2 minutes- Probing questions from group members (i.e. How does the categorical imperative define what duties are morally right?)
• 2 minutes- Group members provide Positive, Specific, Helpful feedback on your presentation and ask any follow-up questions as necessary.

• Ashley's clarification of questions as whole class

• Set-up Edmodo accounts and answer first reflection prompt on Montana 1948 (See my blog post on Edmodo Accounts).

• Ashley's Tedious DP Scavenger Hunt (Click on that link!)

Homework

Finish Montana 1948 by Tuesday
Study for the Quiz on 3 Moral Theories (Quiz will be on MONDAY).
See Thursday's post on the structure of this quiz.

Quiz Practice:

Solve this moral philosophy from perspective of Utilitarianist and Deontologist:

A deranged warlord is in control of the last remaining organism of a species. If released, this organism is a Queen and can recreate the entire species. The warlord plans to kill the organism in order to research mind control technology. This technology will allow the warlord to kill millions of people. The only way to save the organism is by killing the warlord and setting the organism free. But the release of the organism could lead to a full scale war depending on the will of the organism. What is the morally right thing to do?

Edmodo Account Instructions

Step 1:  Go to edmodo.com

Select the "I'm a Student" button

Step 2: Enter the group code for your section of Humanities 11

(Class A = Blocks 1/2, Class B = Blocks 2/3)

Class A code:  wc2z2m

Class B code: ityohm

Step 3: Complete the registration process and sign-up

*Use the gmail account you used for my class when entering your email

*Email yourself your password in case you forget it.

Step 4:  Reply to the first post I've submitted regarding Montana 1948.  You may reply to my initial prompt or to questions/comments other students raise in this discussion thread.

Thursday, September 6th

Learning Objectives:
1. Comprehend one of three major moral theories
2. Apply your understanding by creating a slogan and quiz questions for your assigned moral theory 

Essential Q:
What criteria should we use to determine justice? How do we decide if an action is morally right or wrong?

Agenda:
1.  Review your annotation notes from your moral philosophy reading

2. Work in your group to complete "Comprehending" and  "Creating"

EMAIL Ashley your slogan and quiz questions!

3. Present your group's slogan



Announcements:
Did you turn in your annotated notes and response questions? If not, turn in today for half-credit.  

Homework:
1. Continue reading Montana 1948
2. Bring your laptop to class tomorrow

Quiz Structure (For Monday)

• Be able to analyze moral dilemmas from the perspective of the 3 different moral theories (how would each theory "solve" the dilemma and justify their solution?)
• Be able to identify quotes that represent the 3 philosophies 
• Match philosophers with their philosophy

Wednesday, September 5th

Objective:
1. Understand Plato's definition of justice and his rationale for why we should be morally virtuous
2. Become introduced to three major moral theories and very generally how we've seen them pop up in our starter moral dilemma discussions.

Essential Q:
Why be morally virtuous?

Starter:
"A Case for Cannibalism"

Agenda:
1. Starter
2. Review
3. Time to finish skits + rehearse
4. Perform skits
5. Debrief skit activity
6. Introduction to 3 moral theories and Jigsaw Activity
7. Begin reading on your group's moral theory/philosophy

Homework:
1. Complete "Researching" and "Reading + Annotation" ONLY for your group's moral philosophy 
2. Continue reading Montana 1948 (to be completed by next Monday).
3. HONORS: Read your additional reading assignment and complete the circled "Exercise" questions. This is due Friday, beginning of class.

Resources:
Deontology Jigsaw Assignment
Rights Ethics Jigsaw Assignment
Utilitarianism Jigsaw Assignment

Notes from My Gabbin' During Class

Check out this document if you'd like to review my mini-lecture notes from this week:

Ashley's Notes Week of 9/4

Tuesday, September 4th

Welcome back! I hope you had a GREAT long weekend!

Objectives:
1. Understand the Sophists' philosophy on justice as articulated in Plato's "The Ring of Gyges"

2. Understand Plato's rebuttal and his definition of Justice

3. Apply Plato's response to a modern day skit

Essential Q:
Why should we be morally virtuous or just?

Starter:
1. Read the "Steps for Solving a Moral Dilemma"
2. Use this handout to solve the Transplant Case:

You are a doctor in an ER.  6 patients come to you. They’ve been in a terrible trolley car wreck.  Five of them sustain moderate injuries one is severely injured. You could spend ALL day caring for the 1 severely injured victim but in that time the five would die. Or you could look after the 5 and in that time the one severely injured would die.  Is it morally mandatory? Morally permitted but not mandatory and morally PROHIBITED to look after the 5 and let the one die?


Agenda:
1. Review the Plato reading from the weekend
2. In groups of 2-3, answer the response questions
3. Create your skit!
4. Check-out a copy of Montana 1948
5. Perform skits
6. Debrief skits + feedback (turn these in with your response questions and skit outline)

• Strengths/weaknesses of skits?
• Were the skits a valuable activity in helping you better understand the material? If not, what would be more valuable?

Homework:
1. Get supplies and bring to class (see syllabus for the list)

2. Send me an email from your new gmail account (for half credit tomorrow) firstnamelastnameahs2014@gmail.com

3. Begin reading Montana 1948

Resources:
Link to Plato Reading Response Questions
Link to Plato Summary

Friday, August 31st

If you were not in class, you should still complete the starter and any other appropriate work!

Objective:
1. Understand class policies
2. Define moral philosophy and why it matters

Essential Q:
What is moral philosophy and who cares?

Starter:
1. Turn in signed syllabus

2.Suppose you are the driver of a trolley car and your trolley car is hurtling down the track at 60 mph.  At the end of the track, you notice 5 workers working on the track. You try to stop but you can’t because your brakes don’t work.  You panic because you know, for sure, that if you crash into these workers, all 5 will die.  You feel helpless until you notice that off to the right is a side track and at the end of that track is just one worker working.  Your steering works so you know that if you turn right, you could avoid killing the five workers but certainly kill the one at the end of the track. What should you do?  Go straight ahead or turn right.  These are the ONLY two choices.  Defend your reason.

Agenda:
- Class A: Finish "Ashley's Tedious Class Policies Activity" (see Thursday's post for the link) and discuss questions about the syllabus including the participation rubric and notebook checks.

- Intro to Moral Philosophy: Reading and Discussion on "Ethics: An Overview"

- Steps for Solving a Moral Dilemma + Let's practice!

- Begin Reading Plato's Ring of Gyges

Homework:
1. Get supplies and bring to class (see syllabus for the list)
2. Send me an email from your new gmail account (firstnamelastnameahs2014@gmail.com)
3. Plato Reading + Annotation (do not start response ?s or skits)

Resources:
Link to Plato Reading Response Questions
Link to Plato Summary