Ethics, Value & Society, Undergraduate Certificate Undergraduate Certificate
The Undergraduate Certificate in Ethics, Values, and Society (CEVS) is an academic program for undergraduates to explore questions about ethics, politics, and social justice across topics and subject areas. We believe that ethics and values are an integral part of every major and discipline. In particular, the Certificate enables students to combine more practical and applied inquiries into ethical and social/political issues (perhaps pursued in the student's major) with grounding in the theoretical foundations of such inquiries.
The grounding in the main theories of ethics and political philosophy provided in the Foundational Philosophy Courses in the Certificate will add depth and richness to the student's studies in other, more applied and content-specific classes.
Certificate courses are organized around five themes with which most of the courses can be associated. Students are encouraged (not required) to select their Certificate courses with a thematic focus in mind:
- Institutions: This theme concerns questions of ethics and justice in political, economic, legal, educational, and other institutions. Issues regarding international justice and human rights are also covered by this theme.
- Culture and Identity: This theme explores and critiques conceptions of ethics and justice in relation to issues of culture and identity, including issues concerning class, race, gender, and sexual orientation.
- Environment: This theme covers the just distribution and use of environmental resources, as well as the ethical treatment of non-human animals.
- Health: This theme covers the just distribution and use of health resources, problems in bioethics, and related issues.
- Information Ethics: This theme examines ethical issues regarding media and the use of information technology.
Eligibility
The Undergraduate Certificate in Ethics, Values, and Society is meant to enhance a bachelor's degree. The certificate is available to all students seeking a bachelor's degree from 51猎奇 and to students who previously have received a bachelor's degree from 51猎奇 or any other accredited college or university. Students currently involved in baccalaureate studies who successfully complete the requirements of the program will be awarded the certificate at the time of graduation. Students who already have a bachelor鈥檚 degree will receive the certificate upon completion of the program requirements.
Program Type
Certificate
Program Format
On Campus
What is a certificate?
Certificates are very similar to a minor鈥攖hey require about the same number of classes. The difference is that a minor includes classes that are all from the same subject area. For example, a history minor consists of all history classes. A certificate includes classes from multiple subject areas that address the theme of the certificate.
The Ethics, Values, & Society certificate draws on classes from philosophy, economics, geography, women’s & gender studies, Jewish Studies, sociology, comparative literature, and more.
Earning this certificate indicates that you have achieved subject matter depth and can enhance your resume. This certificate is ideal for many all majors since all professions make value judgments and apply ethics in their work. Business, psychology, political science, journalism, public health, and social work majors are particularly encouraged to explore the certificate.
Requirements
To obtain the certificate, the student must complete, with a minimum grade point average of 2.500, at least 18 credits (at least 6 courses) in approved CEVS courses, of which at least 12 credits must be in Letters and Science courses, with 6 of those at the 300 level or above. At least 12 credits must be earned in residence at 51猎奇, and at least 9 of the credits taken in residence must be at the 300 level or above. No more than 12 credits from any one department may count toward the certificate.聽Courses for the certificate may not be taken on a credit/no credit bases. The following are required:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy Foundation | ||
| Ethics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introductory Ethics | ||
| Modern Ethical Theories | ||
| Great Moral Philosophers | ||
| Social/Political Philosophy | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Social and Political Philosophy | ||
| Political Philosophy | ||
| The Philosophy of Law | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select 9 credits (at least 3 courses) | 9 | |
| Capstone | ||
| Select 3 credits in a 500-600 level undergraduate seminar 1 | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
- 1
The capstone requirement is fulfilled through a 500-600 level undergraduate seminar focused on issues of ethics, value, and/or social justice. An appropriate seminar will be offered in the Philosophy Department at least once per academic year.聽
Electives
Select from among the following courses that focus substantially on themes of ethics, value, justice, and the like.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Survey of African-American Political Philosophy | 3 | |
| Psychological Effects of Racism | 3 | |
| Economic Growth and Sustainable Development in Africa | 3 | |
| Black Politics and City Government | 3 | |
| Sexuality, Gender, and Health in Africa and the Diaspora | 3 | |
| Race and Social Justice in the United States | 3 | |
| Medical Anthropology | 3 | |
| Lifeways in Different Cultures: A Survey of World Societies | 3 | |
| Literature and Society: (with appropriate subtitle) | 3 | |
| Literature and Politics: (with appropriate subtitle) | 3 | |
| Great Works of Modern Literature: (with appropriate subtitle) | 3 | |
| Topics in Comparative Literature: (with appropriate subtitle) | 3 | |
| Seminar in Literature and Cultural Experience: (with appropriate subtitle) | 3 | |
| Environmental Economics | 3 | |
| Nationalities and Nations of the World | 3 | |
| Environmental Problems | 3 | |
| Urban Environmental Change and Social Justice | 3 | |
| Environment and Sustainability | 3 | |
| Information Technology Ethics | 3 | |
| Information Ethics | 3 | |
| Contemporary Italian Society and Culture | 3 | |
| Topics in Italian Culture in Translation: (with appropriate subtitle) | 3 | |
| Media Ethics | 3 | |
| Representing the Holocaust in Words and Images | 3 | |
| The Holocaust and the Politics of Memory | 3 | |
| Jewish and Christian Responses to the Holocaust | 3 | |
| Modern Jewish Thought | 3 | |
| Philosophical Aspects of Feminism | 3 | |
| Technology, Values, and Society | 3 | |
| Moral Problems: | 1 | |
| Ethical Issues in Health Care: | 3 | |
| Environmental Ethics | 3 | |
| Existentialism | 3 | |
| Punishment and Responsibility | 3 | |
| Special Topics in Ethics and Social and Political Philosophy: | 3 | |
| Environmental Sociology | 3 | |
| Ethics in Translation and Interpreting | 3 | |
| Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies: A Social Science Perspective | 3 | |
| Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies: A Humanities Perspective | 3 | |
| Queer Theory | 3 | |
| Gendered Bodies: | 3 | |
| Feminist Activism and Movements: | 3 | |
| Global Feminisms | 3 | |
| Feminist Theory | 3 |
Certificate advising is provided by faculty member and department chair Associate Professor William Bristow. Currently enrolled 51猎奇 students can contact them with questions or proceed directly to the 鈥淒eclare Certificate鈥� button on this page.
Prospective students not yet enrolled at 51猎奇 can contact the college admissions office at (414) 229-7711 or let-sci@uwm.edu.