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Academic Year 2002/2003

Moral Psychology: Care of the Soul
PHIL 217 SP

Moral psychology is the study of our minds that is aimed at an understanding of how we develop, grow, and flourish as moral beings. In this course we will examine historical and contemporary texts from philosophy, psychology, and spiritual writings that deal with the nature of the good life for human beings, the development of virtues, and the cultivation of ethical understanding and moral sensibilities. Emphasis will be both on careful understanding of the texts and on the attempt to relate the theories discussed to our own moral lives.

Class will meet twice a week in lecture/discussion format. Each student must also be enrolled in one discussion section. Discussion sections will be focused on specific interests in or approaches to moral psychology such as clinical therapy, philosophical analysis, or spirituality in a particular religious tradition. The particular offerings of discussion section topics will vary from year to year. Each discussion section will have a distinctive set of additional readings and exercises.

MAJOR READINGS

Writing by classical and contemporary philosophers, develomental psychologists, and spiritual writers.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Students are expected to attend all plenary lecture sessions and all meetings of their respective discussion groups. One paper tied to the topics of the lectures and one independent research project over the course of the semester, plus assignments specific to particular discussion sections.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

The course will meet twice per week for a lecture session, on Tuesday and Thursday 9-10:20. Each student who signs up for the course must also enroll in one of the four discussion sections, each of which has one additional meeting during the week. Each discussion section is limited to 15 students, and is focused for the entire semester upon one approach to moral psychology (e.g., clinical psychology, Christian spirituality) or constituency (e.g., philosophy majors or frosh). For Spring 2003, the sections are as follows:

1. FYI (Horst) - W 7 PM
2. Clinical Psychology (Bank) - W 7 PM
3. Christian Spirituality (Coolidge) - Tu 7 PM
4. TBA - check instructors website at registration time for more info http://shorst.web.wesleyan.edu

Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: HA PHIL    Grading Mode: Credit/Unsatisfactory   

Prerequisites: NONE

SECTION 01

Instructor(s): Horst,Steven W.   
Times: ..T.R.. 09:00AM-10:20AM; ...W... 07:00PM-08:30PM;     Location: PAC002
Reserved Seats:    (Total Limit: 15)
SR. major: X   Jr. major: X
SR. non-major: X   Jr. non-major: X   SO: X   FR: 15

Special Attributes:
Curricular Renewal:    Ethical Reasoning
FYI:    First Year Initiative:Seminar

SECTION 02

Instructor(s): STAFF
Times: ..T.R.. 09:00AM-10:20AM; ...W... 07:00PM-08:30PM;     Location: PAC002
Reserved Seats:    (Total Limit: 15)
SR. major: 3   Jr. major: 2
SR. non-major: 2   Jr. non-major: 3   SO: 3   FR: 2

Special Attributes:
Curricular Renewal:    Ethical Reasoning

SECTION 03

Instructor(s): STAFF
Times: ..T.R.. 09:00AM-10:20AM; ..T.... 07:00PM-08:30PM;     Location: PAC002
Reserved Seats:    (Total Limit: 15)
SR. major: 2   Jr. major: 2
SR. non-major: 3   Jr. non-major: 3   SO: 3   FR: 2

Special Attributes:
Curricular Renewal:    Ethical Reasoning

SECTION 04

Instructor(s): STAFF
Times: ..T.R.. 09:00AM-10:20AM; .M..... 07:00PM-08:20PM;     Location: PAC002
Reserved Seats:    (Total Limit: 15)
SR. major: 2   Jr. major: 2
SR. non-major: 3   Jr. non-major: 3   SO: 3   FR: 2

Special Attributes:
Curricular Renewal:    Ethical Reasoning
Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-18-2003

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