PHIL 151 - Arguments about Life and Death

Description:
This course will cultivate critical thinking skills in examining arguments about life and death: defining what death is, whether death is something to be feared, and the moral and legal issues around physician-assisted suicide.

Prerequisites:
Prerequisite: students must achieve a C- or higher in Academic Writing I prior to taking Academic Writing II.

Credits: (5)

General Education Category: K1 - Academic Writing II: Reasoning & Research

General Education Pathways: P3 Perspectives on Current Issues

Learner Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Accurately analyze arguments contained in prose passages concerning life and death, identifying their premises and conclusions
Distinguish between the truth of an argument’s premises and the validity or strength of its reasoning, and evaluate that strength or validity
Craft a strong argument for a position on a complex question concerning life and death
Identify and synthesize high-quality sources and use them effectively in support of an argument, and cite and document sources according to MLA guidelines
Craft prose that conforms to academic expectations regarding rhetorical effectiveness: clarity, coherence, unity, style, and meaning
Identify core concepts and positions in debates around life and death, including: whether death is to be feared, how to define death, and whether assisted suicide is morally or constitutionally justified.

Learner Outcomes Approval Date:
4/6/20

Anticipated Course Offering Terms and Locations:
Fall Locations: Ellensburg Winter Locations: Ellensburg Spring Locations: Ellensburg