Ethics in Society
Ethical decision-making is a fundamental feature of the human condition, pervading our civic lives as well as every kind of professional practice. DePauw's Ethics in Society minor is designed to enable students in any major to delve deeply into the ethical issues arising in the world and in their own field of study or career pathway. It signifies a practical, interdisciplinary understanding of both facts and values relevant to the student's focus area.
Core courses in the minor address the norms and values that may be at stake in any domain. Focus courses add a depth of knowledge about a topic, problem, or field of particular interest or concern to the student. The experiential capstone is designed to help students synthesize the development of their moral reasoning and contribute to a community of ethical understanding and practice.
Students have considerable freedom in proposing the focus for their Ethics in Society minor - whether an already defined track such as business ethics, sustainability, racial justice, biomedical ethics, etc., or something more unique or original. Proposals for the focus area definition and qualifying coursework are reviewed and evaluated by the Program Steering Committee each semester.
Requirements for a minor
Ethics in Society
| Total courses required | Five |
|---|---|
| Core courses | Students choose three core courses from the following: ENG 181, PHIL 209 (ethics topics only), PHIL 220, PHIL 230, PHIL 232, PHIL 233, PHIL 234, PHIL 242, PHIL 309 (ethics topics only), PHIL 340. |
| Other required courses | Two approved courses in a focus area. Additional requirement: Students complete a capstone project consisting of a learning portfolio and public presentation. |
| Number 300 and 400 level courses | One |
Courses in Ethics in Society
ETS 250Ethics in Action
This course is for students participating in the Hillman Internship Program at The Prindle Institute. It provides interns with a background in ethical theory, and some training and skills to promote ethical awareness on campus and in the community. Students learn how to facilitate discussions about ethics, how to write about ethics for non-specialists, and how to organize educational events centering on ethical issues. The capstone project gives students the chance to do independent research on an applied ethics topic.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 1/4 course |
ETS 291
Prindle Selected Topics in Ethics
Prindle reading courses are designed to give students an opportunity to take a focused mini-course on a subject or issue that speaks to issues of ethical concern. The offerings are multi-disciplinary and topics will vary significantly depending on the professor and their disciplinary home.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 1/4 course |