POLS 256 Ethics and Politics

This course will introduce students to several core analytical approaches in moral and political philosophy including consequentialism utilitarianism distributive justice freedom autonomy and an ethics of care. Students will apply these approaches to case studies in ethical decision-making in politics and policy and students will weigh arguments in favor or against specific courses of action. As such this course bridges readings in moral and political philosophy with "real world" problems confronted by policymakers and leaders. In evaluating resolutions to these problems students will sharpen their critical-thinking and decision-making skills. This is a course in applied ethics with material drawn both from philosophy and from policy.