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Issues need principles
A moral position is stronger when it explains the principle that makes the judgment justified.
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01:730:105 · Philosophy · School 01 — New Brunswick School of Arts and Sciences
Current Moral and Social Issues applies moral theory to contemporary issues. Rutgers lists possible topics including abortion, euthanasia, punishment, equality, sexism, racism, privacy, obligations to the world's needy, treatment of animals, drug use, and the meaning of life.
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Rutgers Schedule of Classes
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Students rate teaching
SIRS · 1,136 responses · 2014–2025
Spring 2027
5 open in snapshot · 5 instructors
When it meets
College Avenue
Checked-in sections · current seat counts are unavailable.
TTh 7:30 PM · College Avenue · 1 section · 1 open
W 2:00 PM · College Avenue · 1 section · 1 open
MW 5:40 PM · College Avenue · 1 section · 1 open
AI-generated overview
Higher means more demanding · AI summary
4 units · topic sequence may vary by instructor
The course introduces the work of applying moral theory to issues that affect policy, everyday life, and social institutions.
Official examples include abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, punishment, and drug use, which test competing accounts of harm and responsibility.
Topics such as sexism, racism, equality, and privacy connect moral reasoning to social power and rights.
The catalog also names obligations to the world's needy, treatment of animals, and the meaning of life, extending analysis beyond immediate self-interest.
A moral position is stronger when it explains the principle that makes the judgment justified.
Hard cases reveal where a moral theory is powerful, incomplete, or in tension with another value.
The course asks students to give reasons that others can evaluate, not just report personal reactions.
Global need, animals, privacy, and future consequences challenge narrow accounts of obligation.
Common pitfall
Instead
State the principle, apply it to the case, and address a serious objection.
Common pitfall
Instead
Check whether your reasoning is consistent across similar cases.
Common pitfall
Instead
Reconstruct the strongest opposing argument before responding.
5 open · College Avenue
| Section | Status | Instructor | Meeting | Campus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0116054 | Open | Rose Fonth | Tuesday 7:30 PM-8:50 PM at HH A2; Thursday 7:30 PM-8:50 PM at HH A2HH A2 | College Avenue |
| 0216055 | Open | Frances Kamm | Wednesday 2:00 PM-5:00 PM at HC N106HC N106 | College Avenue |
| 0316056 | Open | Mccrossin | Monday 7:30 PM-8:50 PM at SC 102; Wednesday 7:30 PM-8:50 PM at SC 102SC 102 | College Avenue |
| 0416057 | Open | David Sorensen | Monday 5:40 PM-7:00 PM at FH A4; Wednesday 5:40 PM-7:00 PM at FH A4FH A4 | College Avenue |
| 0516058 | Open | Rotolo | Monday 2:00 PM-3:20 PM at MU 111; Wednesday 2:00 PM-3:20 PM at MU 111MU 111 | College Avenue |
Historical student surveys
Teaching
3.73
Course quality
3.72
Response rate
39.5%
Coverage
66 offerings · 2014–2025
| Instructor | Offerings | Teaching | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edward Mccrossin | 9 | 2.94 | 3.11 |
| Janelle Derstine | 6 | 3.72 | 3.73 |
| Jerry Piven | 4 | 4.13 | 4.13 |
| Nicholas Maurer | 4 | 3.95 | 3.88 |
| Sung Kang | 4 | 3.30 | 3.20 |
| Justin Caouette | 3 | 3.33 | 3.27 |
Catalog and planning context
Credits
3
Current campuses
College Avenue
Current availability
5 open of 5
Catalog terms
Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter
Core codes
AHo, SOEHS
Loaded terms
7
No prerequisite note appears in the checked-in Rutgers catalog snapshots.
No direct degree-list membership appears in the checked-in requirement index.