Descriptions for ETHS 390 - Spring 2021

ETHS 390-01A: Democracy, Freedom & Equality
Charles Wright
In the United States today, most citizens tend to take for granted that liberty and equal treatment are fundamental parts of a just society. But if asked what, exactly, these core values amount to, many citizens would have difficulty providing clear and informed answers. The purpose of this class is to provide young citizens with an introduction to important conceptions of freedom and equality embedded in the Western tradition of political philosophy as well as to some challenges that modern societies face trying to meet the requirements of both.

ETHS 390-02A: Nature, Democracy and Ethics
Paul Benjamin Cherlin
The study of ethics is typically characterized as the study of right and wrong, good and evil. This course will take a much broader approach to morality; we define ethics as a critical and evaluative study of human conduct and social intercourse. In order to evaluate human conduct, we ask a range of questions: what are our obligations to other people? Who or what determines these obligations? What is the best way to live together in a diverse society? What are the challenges to social solidarity? Are moral guidelines relative to a time and place, or do certain rules transcend situated contexts? Given the events that have unfolded during 2020, these questions are on a lot of people’s minds. However, they have always been the important questions to ask!

ETHS 390-03A: Democracy, Freedom & Equality
Charles Wright
In the United States today, most citizens tend to take for granted that liberty and equal treatment are fundamental parts of a just society. But if asked what, exactly, these core values amount to, many citizens would have difficulty providing clear and informed answers. The purpose of this class is to provide young citizens with an introduction to important conceptions of freedom and equality embedded in the Western tradition of political philosophy as well as to some challenges that modern societies face trying to meet the requirements of both.

ETHS 390-04A: Happiness Is.....
Rodger Narloch
When people are asked what they want in life, a common response is that they just want to be happy. But what is happiness and how do we attain it? In this course, we will discuss a variety of different perspectives on these questions. We will address what self-focused happiness might look like, but then transition to questions of how an individual's happiness relates to the happiness of others (and which others?). Furthermore, we will discuss what it means to be morally good and the extent to which being good is a necessary component in being happy. Finally, we will think about the nature of choices and decision making, especially as they relate to the formation of one's identity and vocation or path in life. Ultimately, students will have to propose their own educated model or theory of happiness and articulate its implications for how they plan to live their lives. These topics will be covered through extensive class discussion based on significant amounts of writing in response to readings from philosophical, psychological, as well as Catholic and Benedictine perspectives.

ETHS 390-06A: War and Memory
Nicholas Hayes
Our course examines the ethical issues of the conduct and representation of war from the Great War (WWI) to today's "war on terrorism." Our theme follows that shift of strategy from targeting military casualties to the predominant emphasis on civilian casualties as evident in the case studies of the Vietnam War, WWI, the Holocaust, the Troubles in Ireland, and the wars of genocide in our time - Yugoslavia and Rwanda, the post-Cold War conflicts of Russia, and the "war on terrorism."

ETHS 390-07A: Vulnerable Lives
Anthony Cunningham
Who can deny that human lives and character are fragile? A glance at victims of rape, genocide, war, oppression, betrayal, and tragic loss suggests we are vulnerable. Yet various lines of thought have suggested that this needn't be so. Some Eastern religions have promised relief from suffering through enlightenment, and the Judeo-Christian tradition has pointed to faith and divine grace as a balm for suffering and a shield against the same. Roman and Greek schools of thought have aimed at forms of detachment and serenity that might render people invulnerable. Using psychology, memoir, philosophy, fiction and film sources, we'll consider ways in which human lives and character can be compromised and disintegrated. We'll also consider strategies designed to render us less vulnerable or invulnerable.

ETHS 390-08A: War and Memory
Nicholas Hayes
Our course examines the ethical issues of the conduct and representation of war from the Great War (WWI) to today's "war on terrorism." Our theme follows that shift of strategy from targeting military casualties to the predominant emphasis on civilian casualties as evident in the case studies of the Vietnam War, WWI, the Holocaust, the Troubles in Ireland, and the wars of genocide in our time - Yugoslavia and Rwanda, the post-Cold War conflicts of Russia, and the "war on terrorism."

ETHS 390-09A: Vulnerable Lives
Anthony Cunningham
Who can deny that human lives and character are fragile? A glance at victims of rape, genocide, war, oppression, betrayal, and tragic loss suggests we are vulnerable. Yet various lines of thought have suggested that this needn't be so. Some Eastern religions have promised relief from suffering through enlightenment, and the Judeo-Christian tradition has pointed to faith and divine grace as a balm for suffering and a shield against the same. Roman and Greek schools of thought have aimed at forms of detachment and serenity that might render people invulnerable. Using psychology, memoir, philosophy, fiction and film sources, we'll consider ways in which human lives and character can be compromised and disintegrated. We'll also consider strategies designed to render us less vulnerable or invulnerable.

ETHS 390-10A: Justice in the 21st Century
Daniel Finn
Few issues are as fundamental to human life as justice: everyone is in favor of it. Yet few issues are as controversial: justice has widely divergent meanings for different people. This course will examine in detail five rival understandings of justice prevalent in debates today. Students will read two novels, and five philosophical or theological treatments of the notion of justice in our joint efforts to come to grips with what justice means in our lives: personally and on a national and global scale. Like every Ethics Common Seminar, the goal of this course is to improve each student's ability to make good moral judgments.

ETHS 390-11A: Sex, Death & Ethics
Scott Johnson
Most students enjoy talking about sex (outside of class), haven't thought much yet about death, and are rather upset that a course on ethics is even required. Since the first seems amusing and the second far away, this class might seem like a pleasant way to satisfy an onerous requirement. So admit it, you just read this description because of the title. Be warned, however, this is a real class with difficult readings as well as a final paper graded on both style and content. It requires regular attendance, active participation, and daily reflection on the reading.

COMM 307-01A: Freedom of Speech
Emily Paup

This course explores the historical development of the laws and cultural assumptions that regulate public expression in the United States. Students will study the communicative behaviors that have inspired free speech controversies and analyze the arguments made in favor of and in opposition to a free speech concept. During fall semesters, the focus of this course is free speech, democracy, and public discourse. During spring semesters, the focus of this course is free speech, the media, and cyberspace.

COMM 307-02A: Freedome of Speech
Emily Paup

CSCI 369-01A: Ethical Issue in Computing
Noreen Herzfeld

Examines a variety of philosophical and ethical questions that arise within the development and use of computer technology. Students will become familiar with several models of ethical reasoning and will apply these approaches to questions in a variety of areas of computer science, including artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, data mining, software development, and cyberspace.

EDUC 390-01A: Ethics in Human Relations
Jeanne Cofell

This course examines some prominent ethical views of both Western and Eastern philosophical thinking. Participants explore various ethical perspectives and visions and consider their application in the demanding and ever-changing arenas of classroom, school, community, and world. The focus of ethical analysis in this course will revolve around issues of oppression, discrimination, poverty, violence and educational leadership. While students will grapple with ethical concerns existing in educational issues, this will require that they engage with ethical perspectives relevant to the larger world. Prerequisites: Junior standing and acceptance to the teacher education program.

EDUC 390-02A: Ethics in Human Relations
Jeanne Cofell

EXHS 390-01A: Sport Ethics
Janna LaFountaine

This course introduces students to a variety of moral reasoning theories, ethical and unethical behavior in sport, and the development of moral education through sport. Students will engage in learning how they might act in order to support the moral foundation necessary for sport to function effectively while examining actions that would be considered just or unjust. Students will wrestle with questions such as "how should I act" or "what type of an athlete, coach, official, manager, fan or parent should I be" through readings and discussions. Moral decision-making models and strategic reasoning will be employed as students navigate case studies and issues related to sport.

HONR 390F-01A: Vulnerable Lives
Anthony Cunningham

Who can deny that human lives and character are fragile? A glance at victims of rape, genocide, war, oppression, betrayal, and tragic loss suggests we are vulnerable. Yet various lines of thought have suggested that this needn't be so. Some Eastern religions have promised relief from suffering through enlightenment, and the Judeo-Christian tradition has pointed to faith and divine grace as a balm for suffering and a shield against the same. Roman and Greek schools of thought have aimed at forms of detachment and serenity that might render people invulnerable. Using psychology, memoir, philosophy, fiction and film sources, we'll consider ways in which human lives and character can be compromised and disintegrated. We'll also consider strategies designed to render us less vulnerable or invulnerable.

JAPN 330D-01A: Nuclear Japan: Bombs/Energy
Jeffrey DuBois

This course combines classroom learning at CSB/SJU during Block D and ends with 3-week experiential component in Japan in May and early June. This “embedded” study abroad course explores the legacy of nuclear weapons and energy in Japan through ethical perspectives. While we consider the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on one hand, and the nuclear meltdown in Fukushima following the triple disaster of March 11, 2011 on the other, we also look for points of convergence and divergence between the understanding of atomic weapons and atomic energy in the imagination of Japan and the world. We look at witness narratives in short story and novel form, and traverse media such as film, manga, anime, photography, painting, children’s books, poetry, and digital art to gain insight into the possibilities for expression and representation in the atomic age. After establishing a foundation for understanding Japan’s nuclear legacy in the domestic portion of the course, we deepen our knowledge by visiting Japan’s nuclear ground zeros. The Japan portion of the course will be based out of Tokyo, where there are many exhibits and spaces that commemorate Japan’s nuclear tragedies. From there, we will make trips to Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Kyoto, as well as safe areas outside of Fukushima. Through discussions as a class and with Japanese students, reflections (journals) that compare our pre-Japan learning to that on site, and portfolio creations, students will demonstrate integration of the home and abroad portions of the course.

PHIL 325-01A: Feminist Ethics
Jean Keller
This course will examine how women's experiences and philosophical reflection on those experiences offer important and necessary perspectives in the field of moral and ethical thinking. Topics may include the nature of feminism, freedom and oppression; the role of care, trust, autonomy, reason and emotion in the moral life, and a consideration of how feminism has come to challenge basic premises and conceptual tools of traditional, western approaches to ethics and moral reasoning. The course will also explore social/ethical issues stemming from the intersection of gender with race, ethnicity, culture, class, and/or sexuality.

PHIL 325-02A: Feminist Ethics
Jean Keller
This course will examine how women's experiences and philosophical reflection on those experiences offer important and necessary perspectives in the field of moral and ethical thinking. Topics may include the nature of feminism, freedom and oppression; the role of care, trust, autonomy, reason and emotion in the moral life, and a consideration of how feminism has come to challenge basic premises and conceptual tools of traditional, western approaches to ethics and moral reasoning. The course will also explore social/ethical issues stemming from the intersection of gender with race, ethnicity, culture, class, and/or sexuality.

POLS 313-01A: 20th Century Political Thought
James Read

Examination of political thought throughout the turbulent 20th century, with special attention to writers who theorize about justice and the struggle to achieve it. Topics covered may include: just and unjust wars, imperialism, economic justice, justice in relations between men and women and between members of different racial and ethnic groups. A careful study of the ideas of the 20th century will prepare students to face the new challenges of the 21st century.

THEO 390-01A: Moral Theology
Nicholas Becker

This course introduces students to basic ethical concepts (such as human action, human agency, natural law, freedom, conscience, and the Christian moral life) and to the application of Christian moral reasoning to contemporary ethical issues. It offers theology majors a common grounding in Catholic moral theology. Ordinarily offered once a year in fall and taken in senior year after the completion of most requirements for the major.

Descriptions for ETHS 390 - Spring 2021

College of Saint Benedict

Saint John’s University