This course introduces students to ethical theories, cultural perspectives, and structured decision-making models used to analyze moral issues in personal, professional, and civic life. Students will examine the historical development of ethical thought, evaluate ethical dilemmas across diverse contexts, and construct reasoned ethical arguments. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, cultural awareness, and the application of ethical frameworks to real-world scenarios involving competing values and stakeholder interests. Applied case studies may include examples from community, organizational, and service-oriented settings.
Prerequisites
Reading proficiency as established by District policy or instructor approval.
1. Define and explain major ethical theories and concepts used in moral reasoning (e.g., virtue ethics, duty-based reasoning, and consequence-based approaches).
2. Analyze the evolution of ethical thought from classical to contemporary traditions and evaluate how these frameworks have influenced ethical standards in professional, civic, and societal contexts.
3. Analyze ethical traditions from diverse cultural perspectives and assess how cultural values, worldviews, and lived experiences shape ethical decision making in local and global contexts.
4. Explain professional and organizational codes of ethics across multiple fields and apply ethical reasoning to identify and explain dilemmas that arise in workplace and institutional settings.
5. Apply a structured, step-by-step ethical decision-making model to analyze ethical issues, evaluate alternative actions, and justify a reasoned course of action.
6. Construct and communicate a rational ethical argument using evidence, ethical frameworks, and critical analysis.
7. Reflect on personal values, assumptions, and biases and evaluate their influence on ethical reasoning and decision making.
8. Evaluate personal values, assumptions, and biases on ethical reasoning and decision making.