FY 1000 19F (29260) The Ethics of Engagement

Dr. Lois J. Kahl

Tuesday/Thursday 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Email: kahll@oldwestbury.edu
Office Hours: By appointment
New Academic Bldg. (NAB) Room 2101

Course Description:
This course introduces students to academic and campus life at Old Westbury, emphasizing the
themes of self-discovery, the meaning of a liberal education, the relationship of the individual to
society, and the nature of values and of personal and social responsibility. By situating the major
intellectual and emotional challenges students confront in their first year of college within the
framework of ethics, the course encourages students to evaluate their ideas and assumptions, and
the impact of their decisions on themselves, their community, and the world.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will demonstrate:
1. An ability to develop as intentional learners, to reflect upon and develop their ideas about
what they are learning in the classroom, their educational goals, and their personal identity;
2. An understanding of and ability to apply ethical decision-making in personal and
community life;
3. An understanding of diversity in race/ethnicity, culture, class, gender, sexual orientation,
age and abilities as follows:
a) an ability to recognize and reflect on one’s own cultural and socio-economic
background, assumptions, and values;
b) an ability to recognize the differences and commonalities among multiple
perspectives that are expressed in classroom interactions in a diverse college
environment;
c) an ability to discuss the relationship among the diverse perspectives identified above
(race/ethnicity, class etc.) based upon course readings;
d) an understanding of how inequalities are institutionalized in society and how people
can transform society to create social justice.
4. Critical thinking--
a) the ability to identify, analyze and evaluate arguments as they occur in their own and
others’ work;
b) the ability to develop well-reasoned arguments;
5. An understanding of the meaning of social justice in personal and social change.

A Learning Community:
Education is a process, and it requires personal responsibility, independence and discipline,
maturity, and seriousness. But you should not go alone! Making healthy and productive
connections to your peer group, understanding the dynamics of appropriate collaboration,
cooperation, and communication are essential to success. Take advantage of this support. Begin
to forge the kinds of connections that will help you have a rewarding college experience.

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Required Texts for FY 1000:
Anker, L., Curran, J and Feder-Marcus, M., The Ethics of Engagement: Educating Leaders for a Just World
(XanEdu, print 2022).
Gay, Ross. An Unabashed Catalog of Gratitude. University of Pittsburg Press

Course Requirements:

I. Read, Write, and Discuss!

Reading is essential. Students are expected to attend class, and participate in class discussion
regularly, in a way that demonstrates that you have read and understood the day’s assigned texts.
Ask questions and make comments: this class is not for spectators. You are expected to complete
all the readings and assignments with care and on time. You are also expected to think critically,
write analytically, and discuss passionately, respecting and learning from the different
perspectives of the authors and your classmates. We will be discussing the nature of critical
thinking and writing analytically as we move through the semester.

II. Attendance
Attendance will be taken at all class meetings. Absences of more than three may affect your final
grade.

III. Assignments
You will write weekly reflective journal entries, discussion board entries, an essay focusing on
ethical decision-making (3-5 typed pages) and a final analytic paper (4-6 typed pages).
Attendance is key to your success.

 Students are required to attend a minimum of 3 activities chosen from speakers,

performances, and workshops. Two of these must be FY sponsored workshops.
 Students are required to complete a financial literacy online module.

Grading:
Your final grade will be based on your journals, discussion boards, analytic essays, as well as
your engaged and reflective participation in class and related campus activities. Your grade is not
a simple average; learning is a process---growth and improvement count!

Journals (6) 20%

Auto-bio assignment 5%
Campus Activities (3) 20%
Financial Literacy Assignment 10%
Ethical Essay 20%
Final Social Justice Essay 20%
Attendance and participation 5%

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Visit the Writing Center for help brainstorming or organizing your ideas or for feedback on a
draft. You can make an appointment for an online session
at https://oldwestbury.mywconline.com.  Hours: Mondays and Tuesdays, 11am-8pm and
Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10am-7pm.  Phone: (516) 876-3093.   

Peer tutors and peer mentors are available from the Tutoring Center for courses offered by the
School of Arts and Sciences.  Students can receive assistance through one-on-one tutoring,
mentoring, group study sessions, handouts, or workshops.  The Tutoring Center is located in the
Campus Center, Library L-246A.  Hours: Monday – Wednesday 11am-7pm and Thursday 10am-
3pm. Visit us on the website at www.oldwestbury.edu/academics/tutor for further information.

ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: 

If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning condition that may impact your course
work, please contact Stacey DeFelice, Director, Office of Services for Students with Disabilities
(OSSD), NAB 2065, Phone: 516-628-5666, Email: defelices@oldwestbury.edu.
The office will help you determine if you qualify for accommodations and assist you with the
process of accessing them. All support services are free and all contacts with the OSSD are
strictly confidential. SUNY Old Westbury is committed to assuring that all students have equal
access to learning activities and social activities on
campus. https://www.oldwestbury.edu/academics/support/OSSD

BASIC NEEDS STATEMENT 
Any student who faces challenges securing their food or housing and believes this may affect their
performance in the course is urged to contact the Dean of Students for support at (516)876-3067 or
Student Union 303.  The College's Panther Food Pantry offers food and personal care items to the
campus community in Student Union 301B. The service is anonymous, OW ID is not required. The Pantry
website is  https://tinyurl.com/yb36bdxc  
 
COUNSELING RESOURCES  
As a college student, there may be times when personal stressors interfere with your academic
performance or negatively impact your daily life. If you or someone you know at this college is
experiencing mental health challenges, please call the Counseling and Psychological Wellness Services at
516-876-3053 or email us at counselingcenter@oldwestbury.edu. We’re located at the Student Union,
Lower Level, Suite 100, and are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. All services are entirely free and
confidential. Students may choose to receive counseling services either in-person, by phone or via
video-chat. 
  
If a crisis situation occurs after hours, contact a Residential Director. The University Police, at 516-876-
3333, will also be able to offer assistance. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline also offers help 24/7,
and can be contacted at 1-800-273-8255.  
 
TITLE IX, SEXUAL DISCRIMINATION, HARASSMENT AND VIOLENCE 
SUNY Old Westbury prohibits sexual discrimination, harassment and violence, and will promptly respond
to all complaints.  The purpose of Title IX is to prevent sex discrimination on campus, address reported
assaults and incidents, limit the effects of harassment on the educational environment, and prevent its
recurrence.  If you or someone you know believes they have been subjected to sexual discrimination,
harassment or violence, help is available. To report or for more information please
visit https://www.oldwestbury.edu/title-ix, please contact the Title IX coordinator, Deputy Title IX
coordinator or University Police at 516-876-3333. Confidential resources and support are also available
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from the counseling professionals in the Counseling & Psychological Wellness Services department,
located in the Student Union Lower Level Room LL100 (off the Rotunda) at 516-876-3053. 
 Stephanie Iaccarino, CRC (Faculty/Staff/Student Reports)
Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Campus Center H-418B
Phone: 516-876-2740
Email: iaccarinos@oldwestbury.edu         
FY1000 Ethics of Engagement meets the Old Westbury General Education Humanities
Domain Requirement because it fulfills the following objectives:
HUMANITIES (GE H)
Students will demonstrate:
 Knowledge of the conventions and methods of at least one of the following-
literature, philosophy, religion, history, and linguistics and the following learning
outcome below:
 An understanding of the way in which at least one of the disciplines listed above
illuminates fundamental issues and problems common to humankind.
FY1000 Ethics of Engagement meets the Old Westbury College Diversity Requirement because
it fulfills the following objectives:
DIVERSITY Learning Outcomes (Courses in this domain will meet one or more of the
following learning outcomes)
1. Students will demonstrate:
 Knowledge of a group of people who have experienced discrimination on the
basis of at least one of the following: race, cultural/ethnic identity, religious
background, gender, social class, sexual orientation, age and disability;
 An ability to compare forms of discrimination experienced by different groups.
OR
2. Students will demonstrate an understanding of:
 The processes by which inequalities are created and maintained in one or more of
the following areas: - political - economic - cultural - psychological;
 The ways in which people can work to challenge inequalities and promote social
justice.
OR
3. Students will demonstrate:
 A recognition of the multiplicity of voices and world views;
 An ability to analyze critically their own assumptions and values within a larger
socio-historical context.

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Course Schedule Fall 2022
(Please note: assigned essays are from the First-Year Reader The Ethics of Engagement:
Educating Leaders for a Just World and Gay, Ross. An Unabashed Catalog of Gratitude)

SECTION 1: PERSONAL IDENTITY AND INDIVIDUAL VALUES

WEEK #1
Thurs. 9/1 Introduction to the course and to each other: review syllabus, student interviews
highlighting family background and heritage, personal values and identity, goals
and aspirations.
Due: Purchase required Texts IMMEDIATELY
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WEEK #2
Mon. 9/5 Labor Day No School

Tues. 9/6 Discussion: Old Westbury’s mission and values – justice, access, equity, and
empowerment
-and-
Read: Foreword” and “Introduction”, “Mission Statement” FYR and “Wedding
Thurs. 9/8 Poem” by Ross Gay /Watch- YouTube- Get to Know Ross Gay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IOyA5Lmm4o
HW: Journal 1: Due Saturday, Sept. 10th

HW: Auto-bio Assignment – Due Saturday, Sept. 17th

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WEEK #3
Tues. 9/13 Identity, Education and Freedom, Plato’s Allegory of the Cave
Discussion: how to approach an assigned text – understanding context, critical
reading, interpretation, articulating key ideas, grasping the overall point and
meaning and applying these to personal experiences
Read: Plato “Allegory of the Cave,” FYR andWatch- The Matrix Blue/Red Pill-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ1_IbFFbzA- Access through Brightspace

Thurs. 9/15 Education, Identity and Freedom: Frederick Douglas

Read: Frederick Douglass, “from Narrative of the Life Frederick Douglass,” FYR
and Ross Gay, “To the Fig Tree on the 9th and Christian” and– Watch YouTube
reading- https://youtu.be/6qB_TCgg-iI

HW: CAMPUS ACTIVITY REPORT #1 – DUE SATURDAY, October 8th

HW: AUTO-BIO ASSIGNMENT: Saturday, Sept. 17th

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WEEK #4
Tues. 9/20 Who Am I? Racism and Identity
How are race and gender socially constructed?
Read: K. Anthony Appiah, “But Would That Still Be Me,” FYR and hand out on
race construction
HW: Journal 2: Due Saturday, Sept. 24th

Thurs. 9/22 Introduction of Financial Literacy Modules

Read: Ross Gay, “Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude” and watch reading
https://youtu.be/uURnrX_-v6o
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SECTION 2: IDENTITY AND CULTURE; ISSUES OF RACISM/ETHNICITY,

GENDER, CLASS, SEXUALITY, AND DISABILTY
WEEK #5
Tues. 9/27 Visit from Library (in classroom)
What is Race? Racism and Identity
Read: James Baldwin, “On Being White…and Other Lies” and Barack Obama, “A
More Perfect Union,” FYR/Please watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=zrp-v2tHaDo- Access through Brightspace

Thurs. 9/29 Who am I? Challenging Cultural Boundaries—Racism, Immigration and Identity

Read: Carola and Marcel Sauarez-Orozco, “Remaking Identities” FYR and Paul
Lawrence Dunbar, “We Wear the Mask” FYR

Thurs. 9/29 *FIRST YEAR CONVOCATION COMMON HOUR 2:30- 3:50 pm

MANDATORY EVENT Multi-Purpose Room (MPR) STUDENT UNION*
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WEEK #6
Tues. 10/4 Who Are We? Identity, Culture and Resistance
Discussion: Indigenous Voices
Read: Robin Wall Kimmerer, from Braiding Sweet Grass: “Skywoman Falling,”
“Allegiance to Gratitude,” FYR and Ross Gay, “Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude”
Watch: Access through Brightspace:
Questions for a Resilient Future: Robin Wall Kimmerer (Skywoman story)
HW: (Reminder) CAMPUS ACTIVITY REPORT #1 – DUE SATURDAY,
Oct. 8th

HW: Due: Journal 3: Saturday, Oct. 8th

Thurs. 10/6 Who Are We? Identity, Culture and Resistance

Discussion of Monuments/public art / Watch Caroline Randall Williams interview
Read: Caroline Randall Williams, “You Want a Confederate Monument? My
Body Is A Confederate Monument,” New York Times, June 26, 2020 FYR
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WEEK #7
Mon. 10/10 Indigenous People’s Day/ Columbus Day NO CLASS

Tues. 10/11 Identity and Culture—Gender, Sexuality and Disability

Read: Pat Parker “For Straight Folks Who Don’t Mind Gays but wish They
and Weren’t So Blatant, Ivan Coyote, “No Bikini”, Lynn Manning, “The Magic
Wand” and Emma Morgan, “Attention Deficit Disorder” and Essex Hemphill,
Thurs. 10/13 “Commitments” FYR
HW: Due: Journal 4: due Saturday, Oct. 15th

MIDTERM WEEK 10/12-10/18

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WEEK #8
Tues. 10/18 Ross Gay, Virtue, and Ecological Literacy
Ross Gay Preview, Ecological Being and Ethical Engagement
Read: Ross Gay (Catalog…), “Burial,” “Patience,” and “Feet”

Tues. 10/18- COMMON READER PROGRAM AUTHOR ROSS GAY VISIT Time TBA-
MANDATORY

SECTION 3: ELEMENTS of ETHICAL DECISION MAKING

Thurs. 10/20 What Makes a Choice or Action Ethical: Consequential (Mill) vs. Deontological
(Kant) Approaches to Ethics
Discussion: What do we mean by the terms “right and wrong,” “good and bad?”
What is the role of freedom and choice in ethical decision-making? Do we have
obligations to our families, to larger social groups, to ourselves? Is there a r
elationship between being ethical and being happy?
Group activity: Life Boat and Michael Sandel, Justice: What’s The Right Thing
To Do? Episode 01 “The Moral Side of Murder” YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0O2Rq4HJBxw- Access through Brightspace

HW: FINANCIAL LITERACY ASSIGNMENT – DUE SATURDAY, 11/5

HW: CAMPUS ACTIVITY REPORT #2 – DUE SATURDAY, 11/12

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WEEK #9
Tues. 10/25 Discussion: What makes a choice or action ethical, consequentialist (Mill)
Read: John Stuart Mills from “Utilitarianism” and Ursula LeGuin, “The Ones
Who Walk Away from Omelas” FYR

Thurs. 10/27 Discussion: Deontological (Kant) approaches to Ethics. Compare Mill and Kant.
Read: Onora O’Neill, “A Simplified Account of Kant’s Ethics” FYR
HW: Due: Journal 5: Saturday, 10/29

HW: (Reminder) CAMPUS ACTIVITY REPORT #1 – DUE SATURDAY,

10/29
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WEEK #10
Tues. 11/1 Discussion: Ethics of Care/Feminist Ethics
We will consider the issues of where our ethical values come from; the “nature-
nurture” controversy; feelings vs. reason in ethical decision making; whether
there are universal standards for ethical judgment; as well as gender and cross-
cultural perspectives on ethical reasoning.
Read: Carol Gilligan, “Images of Relationship” FYR
Ethical paper discussed

Thurs. 11/3 Workshop for Ethical Essay paper

HW: (Reminder) FINANCIAL LITERACY ASSIGNMENT – DUE

SATURDAY, 11/5

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SECTION 4: A LIBERAL EDUCATION, CRITICAL THOUGHT AND

LIFE LONG LEARING
WEEK #11
Tues. 11/8 Discussion: Education, Experience and Liberation
Read: Paulo Freire, “The Banking Concept of Education” and Adrienne Rich,
“Claiming and Education” FYR- (Compare)

Thurs. 11/10 Education, Engagement and Experience

Read: Toni Cade Bambara, “The Lesson” FYR
Due: Ethical paper

HW: (Reminder) CAMPUS ACTIVITY REPORT #2 – DUE SAT., 11/12

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SECTION 5: WORKING TOWARDS COMMUNITY

WEEK #12
Tues. 11/15 Discussion: Ethics, Community and Action
Read: Audre Lorde, “The Transformation of Silence into Language and Action”
and Dalai Lama, “Modern Society and the Quest for Human Happiness”
FYR/Watch Youtube video, Compassionate Ethics in Difficult Times Access
through Brightspace
https://youtu.be/jITmGqcsmRw

Thurs. 11/17 Ethics, Community and Action

Read: Alfredo Jaar, “ A Logo for America” FYR
HW: Due: Journal 6: Saturday, Nov. 19th

HW: CAMPUS ACTIVITY REPORT #3 – DUE SAT. 12/3

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WEEK #13
Tues. 11/22 Discussion: Community engagement and the responsibilities of leadership
Read: Mahatma Gandhi, from “Principles of Non-Violence” FYR
Watch: Jane Adams- Hull House video- Access through Brightspace
https://youtu.be/fNMt8dVuy0U

THANKSGIVING BREAK: THURSDAY, NOV. 24TH THROUGH SUNDAY, NOV. 27th

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SECTION 6: HUMAN RIGHTS, ANTI-RACISM AND WORLD CITIZENSHIP

SOCIAL JUSTICE AND SOCIAL CHANGE
WEEK #14
Tues. 11/29 Discussion: Human Rights, Anti-racism, Social Justice, and Social Change
Read: Ibram X. Kendi, “Patience Is a Dirty Word” and John Lewis “Together, You
Can Redeem the Soul of Our Nation”
Watch Kendi video- Access through Brightspace

Thurs. 12/1 Discussion: The ethical foundations of social change and modes of action –
violent vs. non-violent resistance.
Read: Martin Luther King, “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” and Malcom X, “Message to
the Gross Roots” FYR
Watch YouTube video: https://youtu.be/h4PqLKWuwyU

FINAL project/paper discussed

HW: (Reminder) CAMPUS ACTIVITY REPORT #3 – DUE SAT., 12/3
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SECTION 7: WORLD CITIZENSHIP and HUMAN RIGHTS

WEEK #15
Tues. 12/6 Discussion: Human rights from a global perspective
Read: Michael Paretti, “No Sweat, No Slang” and Terry Tempest Williams, “The
Clan of One-Breasted Women” FYR

SECTION 8: SUSTAINABILITY and SOCIAL JUSTICE

Thurs. 12/8 Discussion: Do we have ethical obligations to the environment? Are there
underlying structural patterns that connect race, class and environmental issues?
Why should issues of the environment and sustainability matter to us?
Read: Bill McKibben “What Would Jesus Drive?” and Robert Bullard,
“Assuring Environmental Justice3 for All” FYR

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WEEK #16
Tues. 12/13 Wrap it up! Reflect on semester.

Wed. 12/14 Make-up/ Study Day

12/ 15-21 FINAL EXAM WEEK: Final papers due Friday, December 16

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 POLICY ON ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Plagiarism and cheating are condemned at all institutions of higher learning. These acts detract
from the student’s intellectual and personal growth by undermining the processes of studying,
reading, note-taking and struggling with one’s own expression of ideas and information.
Moreover, cheating inevitably involves secrecy and exploitation of others.

Plagiarizing means “presenting somebody else’s words or ideas without acknowledging where
those words and ideas come from” (Ann Raimes, Keys for Writers, 5th ed., p.188). Examples
include:

 copying material from the Internet or other sources and presenting it as your
own
 using any author’s words without quotation marks; using any quotation without
credit
 changing any author’s words slightly and presenting them as your own
 using ideas from any published sources (even in your own words) without exact
credit. Note: This includes all material from the Internet or electronic databases.
 using long passages in a paper that have been written or rewritten by a friend or
tutor
 turning in any assignment written by someone else

However, using quotations or borrowed ideas while giving exact credit is good academic
procedure.

Other types of academic dishonesty include unauthorized collaboration or copying of students’

work (cheating); falsifying grades or evaluations; and others. They are treated as equivalent to
plagiarism.

When detected and verified, plagiarism and other academic dishonesty will be punished
severely. Normally, the first offense will result in a failure on the specific assignment; a second
offense or a particularly flagrant first offense will result in failing the course. A second verified
instance of plagiarism, after report of a first verified instance, will normally result in failing the
course in which the second instance occurs. In cases of multiple reports, where the faculty
member, Chair, and Dean recommend suspension or dismissal from the College, the final
decision will be determined by an Academic Grievance Committee (AGC) drawn from the
Faculty Rights and Responsibilities Committee. The AGC decision is final.

Know what plagiarism is and how to avoid it; for guidance see Raimes or any other college
writing handbook. Please note: in this matter, ignorance is never an acceptable excuse.

The syllabus and D2L Brightspace weekly course outline is subject to change at the
instructor’s discretion. Notice will be given.
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Fall 2022 Resources 
  
Important Dates and Deadlines (Add/Drop, Withdrawal, CR/NC) 
Fall 2022 Important Dates | SUNY Old Westbury
 
Help with courses, tutoring, mentoring, advising 
Resources Supporting Student Success 
  
Help with technology or logging into OW accounts 
IT Service Request 
  
What is happening in the campus community? 
Panther Connect 
 
Connect to the Library
Library at SUNY College at Old Westbury

Assistance with stress, interpersonal, emotional challenges 

Counseling & Psychological Wellness Services 
  
Health care services 
Student Health Center 
  
Struggling with housing or food insecurity 
Panther Pantry  
Housing Insecurity Risk Form  
Off-Campus Housing Search 
  
Students with disabilities 
Office of Services for Students with Disabilities 
  
General help using Brightspace

Getting Started in Brightspace-Learners

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