PPE 495
Professor: Craig DeLancey
Email: craig.delancey@oswego.edu
Classroom: MCC 164
Class time: MWF 1:50 pm - 2:45 pm
Office: MCC212A.
Office Hours: Every other MW 3:00 p.m. -- 4:00 p.m., Tuesdays on GoogleMeet 9:00 -- 11:00 a.m., and by appointment
Introduction
Our question is this: why are people very often kind to each other?
More specifically, why does altruism exist. Of course, we might answer
"Because it should." Fair enough, but how did it come about that we do
what we ought to do?
This semester, we'll consider several perspectives on this problem:
- Evolutionary perspectives
- Economic perspectives
- Game theory and evolutionary game theory
- Ethics and moral psychology
Texts
There is no unified textbook for this course. We will be assigning
readings of original works of major contributors to the literature on
the evolution and development of altruism.
Attendance and Class Participation
This course is designed as a seminar. It is not my intent to deliver lectures, rather to lead
our seminar in discussing the issues presented by our readings. It is
essential that you attend each class session and participate actively
in discussions.
Please note: I generally do not answer emails that read: "I missed class
today. Did we do anything important? If so, can you tell me everything
I missed and perhaps teach the whole class to me over email or perhaps
in office hours?" I especially am likely to not answer it if from someone
who missed a lot of classes.
Screens
I am asking that no one use a computer or cell phone in class.
I know that this is a catastrophe of some kind, but I have found
that they always become terrible distractions. If you must use
Snapchat or watch Netflix, just skip class.
Reading Assignments
Readings will be assigned and announced in
class and will form the basis for co-operative participation
assignments. We will be examining the readings in detail during class
meetings. In order to participate and contribute as a seminar member
you will need to be prepared by completing the required readings for
each class meeting. You will need to devote quality time to your
readings for this course. Come to class with questions and well
thought-out comments concerning your readings. It generally helps to
write these down.
Homeworks
I will often assign a short homeworks about the reading or other matters.
Exams
There will be at least two standardized-style tests, and
also a midterm and a final exam.
Paper and presentation
You will be required to write a paper on some instance of altruism (or failure where we are
trying to enforce altruism). You will present your findings to the class.
Assessment
We'll do a couple assessment tests this semester. These will help us determine how much of
our teachings are sticking. Thanks for helping us by doing your best.
Grading
Final grades will be based on:
- Assessment exams: 5%
- Homeworks: 35% (this includes the reading questions on Angel)
- Term paper: 20%
- Presentation: 10%
- Midterm and Final: 30% (15% each)
If you miss an exam and have an excused absence for the day you miss
the exam, you may make it up, by special appointment with me, when you
are able to come back to class. It is your responsibility to arrange
any make-up exams as soon as you know you are going to miss the
exam. Otherwise you may lose the opportunity to take the test, since I
cannot give make-up exams after the class has gone over the
answers.
Schedule
We will frequently update an online schedule of readings and assignments. It is your responsibility to check the www pages for the class at least every other day!
Office Hours
In addition to my listed office hours, I encourage you to make appointments. I am available quite a bit, but have trouble predicting times because of lots of irregular meetings. Please try to come to office hours with specific questions in mind. You can of course come with a general request for help, but it is always helpful if you spend a little time thinking about how I can best help you out.
User Agreement
Excused absences
Here is how you secure an excused absence: Only prior notification
with credibly documented or easily verifiable reasons (e.g., medical
visits to Mary Walker, documented participation in official sporting
events, etc.) will result in excused absences. You must notify in
writing, call, or email me prior to your absence from class. You must
notify the Philosophy Department secretary or the Psychology
Department secretary before you are going to be absent. However, you
must make sure she knows your name, the number of the course, the
date, and your easily verifiable reason, along with a request to
forward the information to me. It is better to give your information
to me, except when you are unable to communicate with my phone or
email for some reason.
Please hold onto all of your assignments and exams. Sometime before
the end of the semester we recommend that you ask us to review the
grades that I have recorded to make sure that I have not made any
mistakes. I'm only human and can make typos in recording grades!
Grades will be posted on Angel, so you can review these at any time.
College Policy on Intellectual Integrity
Intellectual integrity on the part of all students is basic to
individual growth and development through college course work. When
academic dishonesty occurs, the teaching/learning climate is seriously
undermined and student growth and development are impeded. For these
reasons, any form of intellectual dishonesty is a serious concern and
is therefore prohibited.
Intellectual integrity on the part of all students is basic to
individual growth and development through college course work. When
academic dishonestly occurs, the teaching/learning climate is seriously
undermined and student growth and development are impeded. For these
reasons, any form of intellectual dishonestly is a serious concern and
is therefore prohibited.
The full intellectual integrity policy can be found at
www.oswego.edu/administration/registrar/policy_text.html#cpii.
Disabilities
The Office of Disability Services is available to assist students who
have a legally documented disability or students who suspect that they
may have a disability. If you have a disabling condition that may
interfere with your ability to successfully complete this course,
please contact the Office of Disability Services (dss@oswego.edu or
see www.oswego.edu/dis.)
Title IX
Clery Act/Title IX Reporting Statement: SUNY Oswego
is committed to enhancing the safety and security of the campus for
all its members. In support of this, faculty may be required to report
their knowledge of certain crimes or harassment. Reportable incidents
include harassment on the basis of sex or gender prohibited by Title
IX and crimes covered by the Clery Act. For more information about
Title IX protections, go to https://www.oswego.edu/title-ix/ or
contact the Title IX Coordinator, 405 Culkin Hall, 315-312-5604,
titleix@oswego.edu. For more information about the Clery Act and
campus reporting, go to the University Police annual report:
https://www.oswego.edu/police/annual-report.