Section I: Request
Utah Valley University requests the addition of an emphasis in Ethics within the existing BA/BS Integrated
Studies degree, effective Fall 2012.
Section II: Need
Utah Valley University has an express commitment to the study of Ethics, with a required General
Education Ethics course, Ethics and Values, PHIL 2050, 205G, or 205H, which strengthens and augments
the liberal arts curriculum. Utah Valley University, in concert with its expressed interest in preparing
“professionally competent people of integrity”1 and promoting “ethics and integrity,”2 has asserted its
commitment to the ethical education of its students through scholarly work and research, creative
achievements, and community and professional engagement.3 The University is also committed to offering
students opportunities to enhance their capacity to enter their chosen professions, careers, and vocations
as ethical leaders.4
Interdisciplinary Ethics education has been a driving force at UVU since the 1980s, offering prestigious
programs such as Ethics Across the Curriculum and hosting the only Ethics Center in the USHE system.
The undergraduate Ethics curriculum and the Center for the Study of Ethics have received repeated
national recognitions for their innovative and influential programs, conferences, events, symposia, and
lecture series that educate students and the community about contemporary ethical issues. UVU (then
UVSC) was honored with First Place in the Theodore Hesburgh Award in 2001, a recognition that cited the
superior Ethics education offered to students and faculty.
Integrated Studies offers students a curricular groundwork for integrating two or more disciplines as they
custom-design their baccalaureate degrees. An Ethics emphasis offers an innovative approach in
correlating various disciplines with structured ethical research. The IS Emphasis in Ethics will allow
students to examine real world ethical issues in the context of various disciplines and will offer students a
valuable credential for employment and further education.
Section III: Institutional Impact
The Department of Philosophy and Humanities, which offers several philosophical and interdisciplinary
Ethics courses, also hosts the Peace and Justice Studies Program, the Religious Studies Program, the
Gender Studies Program, and has close ties with the Center for the Study of Ethics, which is directed by
Professor David Keller of the Department of Philosophy and Humanities.
Current academic and administrative structures are in place to support an emphasis in Ethics through the
Integrated Studies program. No additional faculty, staff, or facilities will be required.
UVU Mission Statement, http://www.uvu.edu/planning/about/mission.html
UVU Core Values; President Holland’s address on October 26, 2009 asserting UVU mission statement, Core Values, and Role
of UVU. http://www.uvu.edu/president/speeches/102609/index.html
3 UVU mission statement, http://www.uvu.edu/planning/about/mission.html
4 http://www.uvu.edu/planning/about/mission.html. Also, see, President Holland’s address on October 26, 2009 asserting UVU
mission statement, Core Values, and Role of UVU. http://www.uvu.edu/president/speeches/102609/index.html
1
2
Section IV: Finances
No additional funds are required to support the Integrated Studies emphasis in Ethics as all courses
required for the minor are already regularly offered in support of other degree programs. All of the proposed
courses listed below, Media Ethics, Philosophy of Law, Moral Reasoning Through Case Studies: Ethics
Bowl, and The Ethics of Human/Animal Relationships, have been taught as PHIL 450R courses, but are
now being entered into formalized curriculum.5
5
See Appendix A.
Appendix A: New Courses
Prefix &
Number
PHIL 3010
PHIL 3460
PHIL 357R
PHIL 3710
Title
Media Ethics
The Ethics of Human/Animal Relationships
Moral Reasoning Through Case Studies: Ethics Bowl
Philosophy of Law
Credit
Hours
3
3
3
3
PHIL 3010
Media Ethics
3:3:0
Covers ethical issues in media communication. Includes discussions of ethnicity, gender, nationalism, and
conflict. Demands development of moral agency. Examines tensions between individual freedoms and
social responsibilities. Addresses ethical questions in the context of current struggles within and over
corporate and public media.
PHIL 3460
The Ethics of Human/Animal Relationships
3:3:0
Introduces a comprehensive philosophical and academic investigation of the relationship between human
and nonhuman animals. Develops and refines critical thinking and discursive strategies for evaluating
traditional and contemporary philosophical, legal, religious, moral, and social considerations that inform
human attitudes about nonhuman animals. Challenges students to analyze a range of pertinent topics,
including, but not limited to: animal welfare, animal liberation, animal sentience and consciousness, animal
rights, the animal ethics movement, the animal rights movement, religious attitudes, animals, animal law,
and animal activism.
PHIL 357R
Moral Reasoning Through Case Studies: Ethics Bowl
3:3:0
Studies complex, contemporary ethical issues and develops an advanced understanding of principles and
theories studied in other ethics and moral theory courses. Uses a case study approach to ethical inquiry
and introduces students to the content, format, rules, and procedures of the National Collegiate Ethics Bowl
competition. Required for those students who wish to participate in the regional and national competitions
and provides a challenging opportunity for others who are interested in participating in exciting ethical
deliberations and discussions. May be repeated for up to 9 credits for graduation with approval of instructor
and department chair.
PHIL 3710
Philosophy of Law
3:3:0
Introduces topics in the philosophy of law, such as the role, nature, extent, and justification of law.
Investigates challenging questions about the rule of law, civil disobedience, the relationship between law
and morality, justice, equality, responsibility, and punishment.