Philosophy 435/001 (3) - Environmental Ethics 
Term 2 - T Th 1430-16, BU D339 
Instructor: Peter Danielson
Office Hours: Tuesdays, 1 - 2:30, and by appointment. 
Email: pad@ethics.ubc.ca, voicemail: 822-0537 

This year the theme of the course is Technology vs. Environment. In addition to the core issues in environmental ethics -- people have rights, but do other (higher) animals? Do plants even have interests? Can only individuals have moral standing or can species and ecosystems also? What is our fair share of the atmosphere? -- we will consider how machines differ from living creatures, whether machines and technological systems have interests, whether being natural matters ethically, and whether technology is bad or good for the environment. 

Prerequisites: This course has no formal prerequisites. However, this is a fourth year course because is an advanced introduction While it assumes no background in philosophical ethics, it does presuppose that you are familiar with one of the disciplines: geography, economics, forestry, civil engineering, biology, resource management, philosophy, etc. that contribute to environmental ethics 

The course format will be lectures with class discussion and two sets of student presentations. 

I expect you to attend all lectures, and you are responsible for all material presented in lecture. I will try to post all lectures and announcements on the class web. However, if you miss an announcement because you did not attend lecture, it is your problem, not mine. 

I will assume that you have read the assigned reading before coming to class. That way I can focus on the most difficult concepts, present new and interesting material in lecture, and not just repeat what is in the reading assignments. The pages assigned for each lecture are given in the class syllabus. I was a student once and I know that it is sometimes difficult to read ahead. Nonetheless, you will get a lot more out of this class if you can do the reading before you come to class. 

Required Textbook: 

Donald VanDeVeer & Christine Pierce, ed., People, Penguins, and Plastic Trees, 2nd Ed. 
(Belmont CA: Wadsworth, 1995) (Abbreviated to PPPT below) 

Evaluation 
1.Midterm (20%) - 40 minute test that will consist of short and medium answer questions, on the readings and lectures. Answers here. 

2.Final Exam (30%) - A two-hour scheduled final exam. See the exam schedule for time and place. The exam will consist of short and medium answer questions, on the readings, lectures and group presentations. 

3.Critical Essay & Critical Appraisal (25%) A short (2000 words) critical essay on an assigned topic in philosophical ethics applied to the environment. Topics will be distributed in class, and format and expectations discussed there. Due in class 9 March. 

4.Group Project: Case Study (25%) - A case study of an ethically interesting feature of an environmental problem selected by you(r) group), subject to approval of the instructor. This is a group project requiring collaboration, imagination, self-directed research, critical skills, two class presentations and a final written report. You will divide into 6 - 8 groups and each group will select a (different) topic. Time will be set aside in the second half of the term for groups to meet in class. Within the constraints noted, you are free to design your project. For example, you might present a debate or panel discussion. 

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