Ethics - Course Description

Howard Sklar, PhD

Department of Modern Languages (English Philology)

University of Helsinki

Course Description

Howard Sklar, PhD

Course Description

This course will explore the role of ethics in the writing and reading of fiction. Following an introductory session that will provide an overview of the course, the remaining sessions will be divided into two parts:

The first part of the course, “Philosophical Views of Ethics and Fiction” (three sessions), will explore ideas about the ethical considerations that affect both writers and readers in creating and interpreting fictional works. Among other issues, we will look at the role of so-called “moral emotions,” such as sympathy, and the ways that they affect the nature of ethical writing and reading.

In the second part of the course, “Textual Ethics: The Role of Narrative Analysis” (three sessions), we will examine the role that narrative analysis can play in informing our understanding of the relationship between fiction and ethics. For this part of the course, we will read short works of fiction and analyze the ethical content that they may contain, or the ethical issues or questions that they may raise for readers. As theoretical background, we will look at the ways in which some scholars have analyzed particular novels or stories from an ethical point of view. In addition, we will consider the connection between narrative analysis and reader response.

Course Requirements

1. Regular attendance

2. Assigned readings (provided by the instructor or available at the University Library)

3. Weekly journal, recording own responses to particular topics discussed in the course

4. One short paper (6-7 pages) on the philosophical dimension of fictional ethics

5. One short paper (6-7 pages) analyzing a fictional narrative in terms of its ethical content, or in terms of its potential ethical effects on readers

6. Active participation in discussions