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LIST 555: The Western Tradition and Contemporary Issues

Area: Ethics and Liberal Studies Thematic Area or Intellectual History
Instructor: Dr. Don Abel

Course Description
This course will begin by examining the four main theories of Western philosophical ethics (those of Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, Immanuel Kant, and John Stuart Mill) and feminist critiques of these traditional theories. Students will then apply these traditional theories and feminist approaches to several current ethical issues, to be chosen by the class. Possible issues include abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, affirmative action, free speech, war and violence, and the environment and animals.

Required Book List
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