Course Syllabus

Spring 2026 | PHI-1040-VO03 - Introduction to Ethics

Online Class

Online courses take place 100% online via Canvas, without required in-person or Zoom meetings.

Faculty

Tib Di Giulio
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Collin Lee

General Education Requirements

Humanistic Perspectives

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

This course examines personal and professional issues from an ethical point of view, emphasizing how we decide what is right and wrong in our daily lives. Issues might include: civil rights, health care, political concerns, business decisions, war, and the environment.

Essential Objectives

1. Explain the basic concepts of classical and contemporary theories in ethics as they pertain to right and wrong, the individual and society, objectivity and subjectivity, happiness and suffering, free will, and fate.
2. Discuss the ideas of selected theorists, the methods they used to develop their ideas, and the cultural factors which influenced their theories.
3. Identify and describe the major influences in our society which shape our values.
4. Apply ethical theories of decision making and critical thinking skills to problems of social justice and propose just solutions.
5. Apply the basic concepts of classical and contemporary theories in ethics to the field of business and professional ethics.
6. Develop an ethical framework for defining and addressing issues in one's own life.
7. Describe his or her own decision-making process.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV computer recommendations Support page.

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

*** This is a no cost textbook or resource class. ***

This course only uses free Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials. For details, see the Canvas Site for this class.

Methods

This course is taught in an online, asynchronous format, emphasizing structured engagement with readings, ethical dialogue, and reflective writing. Learning occurs through sustained interaction with ideas, peers, and real-world ethical problems.

Teaching methods include:

• Guided Online Discussion
  Weekly discussion forums are used to examine ethical questions, analyze case studies, and compare perspectives. Students are expected to engage substantively with both the material and their classmates.
  
• Case Study Analysis
  Students analyze ethical dilemmas drawn from personal life, professional contexts, business, health care, and public policy.
  
• Writing-to-Learn Assignments
  Short analytical and reflective writing assignments help students clarify values, test ethical frameworks, and practice ethical reasoning.
  
• Reflective Practice
  Structured reflection encourages students to examine how ethical theories relate to their own beliefs, experiences, and decision-making processes.
  

Instructor Feedback
Regular feedback on written work and discussion participation supports growth in ethical reasoning and written communication.

Evaluation Criteria

Students are evaluated on their ability to understand ethical theories, apply them thoughtfully, and communicate ethical reasoning clearly in writing and discussion.

Evaluation is based on the following criteria:

• Understanding of classical and contemporary ethical theories
  
• Application of ethical frameworks to real-world issues
  
• Quality of critical thinking and ethical reasoning
  
• Clarity, organization, and support in written work
  
• Thoughtful reflection on personal and professional values
  
• Consistent and substantive participation in online discussions

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

Participation in this course takes place primarily through online discussion and written engagement rather than live meetings.

Students are expected to:

• Log in to the course site multiple times each week
  
• Complete assigned readings and materials before participating
  
• Post substantive discussion responses that engage directly with course content
  
• Respond thoughtfully to classmates’ posts, contributing to respectful dialogue
  
• Demonstrate reflection, curiosity, and openness to differing viewpoints
  
• Meet all discussion deadlines

Missing & Late Work Policy

This course follows a structured weekly schedule, and assignments build on one another over time.

• Assignments must be submitted by the posted deadline to receive credit.
  
• Late work is not accepted unless there are documented or clearly communicated extenuating circumstances (such as serious illness or family emergency).
  
• Requests for extensions should be made as early as possible, and whenever feasible, before the deadline.
  
• Discussion posts must be submitted by their deadlines in order to contribute meaningfully to class dialogue.
  
• Work submitted late without extenuating circumstances will receive a score of zero.
  

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity

Apply Now for this semester.