Ethical Analysis and Advocacy

Instructor: Jennifer S. Leath, Ph.D.

Course Synopsis

This course invites students to think about ethical analysis and advocacy from a variety of different lenses.  Beginning with attention to ancient Egyptian and Greek morality, this course provides a framework for modern historic, modern, and post-modern models of ethical analysis.  The second third of the class provides a thorough survey of Christian ethics; the final third of the class focuses on modern and post-modern secular ethics through cultural theory, utilizing the work of Hortense J. Spillers as a platform.  Defining, describing and deepening students’ knowledge of ethical analysis, this course also introduces students to advocacy through multi-media explorations of ethics in action, classroom exercises, and final group presentations that demonstrate their application of the theoretical approaches to ethics introduced throughout the class.  Please see the syllabus in the class files for more information about readings and assignments.

Course Overview 

This course invites students to think about ethical analysis and advocacy from a variety of different lenses.  Beginning with attention to ancient Egyptian and Greek morality, this course provides a framework for modern historic, modern, and post-modern models of ethical analysis.  The second third of the class provides a thorough survey of Christian ethics; the final third of the class focuses on modern and post-modern secular ethics through cultural theory, utilizing the work of Hortense J. Spillers as a platform.  Defining, describing and deepening students’ knowledge of ethical analysis, this course also introduces students to advocacy through multi-media explorations of ethics in action, classroom exercises, and final group presentations that demonstrate their application of the theoretical approaches to ethics introduced throughout the class.

Course Objectives

  1. To begin learning the meaning and history of ethics and ethical analysis.
  2. To hone analytical reading and writing skills through opportunities to compare and synthesize ethical principles.
  3. To learn how to identify and delineate ethical principles and applied ethics.
  4. To practice applying ethical principles in advocacy.
  5. To identify, articulate, and analyze the strengths and weaknesses, challenges, and success of various forms of ethical analysis and advocacy.

 

Degree Learning Goals: Please take some time to look over the Professional Degree Learning Goals (MDiv, MASC, MAPSC) and the Academic Degree Learning Goals (MTS, MA).

Incompletes:  If incompletes are allowed in this course, see the Master's Student Handbook for Policies and Procedures.

Pass/Fail:  Masters students wishing to take the class pass/fail should discuss this with the instructor by the second class session.

Academic Integrity and Community Covenant:  All students are expected to abide by Iliff’s statement on Academic Integrity, as published in the Masters Student Handbook, or the Joint PhD Statement on Academic Honesty, as published in the Joint PhD Student Handbook, as appropriate.  All participants in this class are expected to be familiar with Iliff’s Community Covenant.

Accommodations:  Iliff engages in a collaborative effort with students with disabilities to reasonably accommodate student needs.   Students are encouraged to contact their assigned advisor to initiate the process of requesting accommodations.  The advising center can be contacted at advising@iliff.edu or by phone at 303-765-1146. 

Writing Lab:  Grammar and organization are important for all written assignments.  Additional help is available from the Iliff Writing Lab, which is available for students of any level who need help beginning an assignment, organizing thoughts, or reviewing a final draft. 

Inclusive Language:  It is expected that all course participants will use inclusive language in speaking and writing, and will use terms that do not create barriers to classroom community. 

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