Journal Assignments
Fall 2009
Ethics (PHL 106-0H1) and Introduction to Global Studies (SSC
201-0H1)
Holly Graff and Richard Stacewicz
You must address all the questions listed below. However, you may also address other issues raised by the assigned texts or by global current events.
1. Begin your journal by writing one or two pages on your conception of social justice. Consider including environmental issues in your discussion. You may refer to philosophers or social theorists whose work has influenced you, but this is not necessary. If you are not sure where you stand, you can discuss this as well. In this case, you should emphasize particular questions about which you are undecided.
2. In Colonialism, Jurgen Osterhammerl defines colonialism and describes the various stages of colonialism, In particular, he describes settlement colonies and the "New England Type" of colony. How did Locke justify the acquisition of land in the New World in general and in North America in particular? Given what you know about what took place in the Americas and other settlement colonies, do you think Locke's view on acquisition of land provides an ethical basis for what was done? Please explain both your views on Locke and on the English acquisition of land in North America.
3. Locke argues that under some circumstances revolutionary activity is morally justified. What is his position? Do you agree with it? Why or why not? Did or do the people of colonized countries have a right to revolution? Do they have a right to seize the property of the colonizers such as plantations, factories, etc.? Why or why not? In answering this question, demonstrate specific knowledge of different types of colonies.
4. Write a journal response in which you discuss the presentation of our speakers from Guatemala and also the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. What do you think a morally appropriate response to the situation of indigenous people is today? Please comment on how what our speakers said fit in or did not fit in with what has been presented in Colonialism and The Vulnerable Planet.
5. Consider the philosophical and economic critique of capitalism offered by Marx and Engels. If you disagree with it, explain your reasons and show where you believe that their analysis is wrong. If you agree with it, apply it creatively to some aspect of contemporary life - possibly your job, the music industry, the media, Facebook, an environmental issue, etc.
6. As mentioned in class yesterday, the topic for this week's journal entry is a front-page article that appeared in the New York Times yesterday (Tuesday, September 29),. "More Cows and More Milk Mean More Headaches," by William Neuman. How does the fall in milk prices, due to overproduction, (you will see why) relate to Engel's description of the tendency of capitalism to fall into crisis? Does the description of what happened in the milk sector serve as an example of this process? If so, how? Furthermore, how does it relate to Marx's view of the commodification of nature under capitalism? Does it illustrate this point as well? How? What is your reaction to the story?
...............................Please note that at this point you should have written a minimum of 12 pages. If these topics are not sufficient to give you enough to say, please respond to other aspects of the assigned texts or write about how current news and its relationship to our discussions......................
7. Compare the different views of justice in the theories of Nozick and Rawls. Which of these theories is closer to what you believe? Analyze the arguments of these philosophers, and show where at least one of them has gone wrong. Then, use the theory with which you most agree to develop your position on the right to healthcare and the current proposals for the reform of the healthcare system.
8. Be sure to include your responses to outside events such as Capitalism: A Love Story in your journal.
9. Give your view of David Schweickart's proposal for economic democracy. Your general response should clearly grow out of the ethical theory with which you agree. In addition to giving your general response, also evaluate two of Schweickart's very specific proposals. Please note that your evaluation of some of his specific proposals might be different than your evaluation of his overall framework.10. Singer believes that eating animals is morally wrong. State your view, and respond to his specific arguments.
11. What kinds of solutions would Foster suggest given his perspective? How would/does it differ from Stiglitz? Based on your understanding of the crisis and its roots, what steps need to be taken to insure that such a crisis does not occur again?
12. View the documentary An Inconvenient Truth on the web or rent the video. Discuss your view an what needs to be done with respect to global warming. Show how your recommendations flow out of the ethical theory you advocate.
13. Shiva offers a critique of neoliberal views on economics and also offers a radically different philosophical perspective in terms of human nature, our relationship to nature and to one another, and a vision of the future. Give your view both on the critique that she offers and on her proposed solutions. This answer should combine social science and philosophy. Please note that this question is different from what was written on the board. You may respond to either one.14. Conclude your journal by discussing how your views on social justice and environmental justice have changed or developed over the semester. It may be that your views haven't changed, but that you can argue more effectively for your views now. Whatever is the case, discuss it. This journal entry allows you to revisit any philosopher whose views you don't believe that you have adequately addressed in your journal. You may also say something about how you applied your ethical theory in your group project if you would like to do so.
15. Be sure that you have included responses to all the events that you have attended this semester along with proofs of attendance where necessary. If you have more than three write-ups, the others will count as extra credit.
Author: Hollace Graff
Oakton Community College
Updated: October 15, 2009