Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2011-2012 > Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts > Ethics

Ethics

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Director

W S K (Scott) Cameron

Objectives

In response to the need to address ethical issues in the various professions, the Philosophy Department, in conjunction with other departments in the different Colleges and Schools of the University, offers a minor in Ethics. Its main focus is to deepen and broaden the student’s grasp of the theoretical foundations and practical applications of ethical thought. The Ethics minor will complement and support the student’s studies by encouraging reflection on the ethical issues that arise in his or her major field of study.

The objectives of this program are: 1) to heighten the student’s awareness of the pervasive moral dimensions of human experience; 2) to broaden and deepen the student’s understanding of ethical theories and their foundations; and 3) to promote moral deliberation, evaluation, decision-making, and conduct that alone can renew and sustain healthy economic, social, political, and professional institutions in concrete human communities.

Ethics Minor Student Learning Outcomes

Ethics minor students will understand:

The historical context, the import, and the strengths and weaknesses of various paradigms of ethical reflection
The ways in which ethical theories have been applied to concrete human concerns
The relevance of ethical reflection to critical issues arising in their chosen major field of study.

Ethics minor students will be able to:

Demonstrate written competency in the analysis and application of ethical theories to vexed practical problems
Draw on their own experience and on insights gleaned from their major field of study to further the evaluation and refinement of ethical theories.

Ethics minor students will value:

The importance of ethical reflection in creating and sustaining healthy human communities
The productive relation between ethical reflection and other practical and theoretical pursuits
The power of reflection and self-criticism to transform one’s self-conception as well as one’s relationships to others.

Minor Requirements

The minor in Ethics consists of 18 semester hours divided as follows:

FOUR Foundations Courses, including:

PHIL 160 and PHIL 320, which also satisfy the University’s core requirements in Philosophy.

Two further classes chosen in consultation with the Ethics minor advisor, at least one of which must be in Philosophy, though the second may be offered by departments in any of the Colleges or Schools in the University. These courses should deepen the student’s awareness of the context, presuppositions, and implications of various approaches to ethical reflection.

TWO Applications Courses including:

One course in Applied Ethics related to the student’s College or School of origin chosen from PHIL 321-330.

One elective course in Applied Ethics selected from the PHIL 321-330 options without regard for the student’s College or School of origin.

ONE Assessment Course:

PHIL 494 is a 0 credit hour Ethics Minor assessment class, to be taken once all other Ethics minor credit hours are completed or during the semester the student is completing his or her final classes for the minor.