CC 245 - Introduction to Ethics and Society (IDEAS)

Credits: 3
Interdisciplinary Ethics and Society (IDEAS) invites students to wrestle with life’s Big Questions: What does it mean to live a good life? What kind of person should I be? What do I owe to others-and to society? Drawing on literature, history, philosophy, and the social sciences, this seminar explores how ethical reflection shapes both personal character and public life. Students will examine moral traditions, including virtue ethics, deontology, utilitarianism, and care ethics, while reflecting on enduring challenges raised by figures like Socrates-who urged us to “know thyself”-and Sojourner Truth, whose Ain’t I a Woman? confronts the moral conscience of a divided society. Through discussion, debate, and close reading, students will consider how individuals and communities pursue justice, integrity, and shared flourishing in the face of real-world complexity. Open to students of all majors; no prior background in philosophy or ethics is required.

Prerequisite(s): VUE 101 and VUE 102 or CC 110A and CC 110B and CC 115A and CC 115B, or permission of the dean.