PUBPOL 3830 - Ethics and Public Policy

Fall. 3 credits. Letter grades only.

R. Morgenstern Brenner.

Ethics asks what is good and bad, what is right and wrong, what is happiness, and what is the virtuous path? We will explore ethical dilemmas of society, how those questions translate into public policy, and how public policy is used to carve an ethic. We will focus on ethical questions future leaders in public policy could, should, or will be asking. We investigate some controversial questions that sit at the core of our own moral connection with public policy ethics and how those translate into action such as human interaction with society and nature, what is our moral responsibility as individuals and decision-makers, equity, and how ethical considerations translate into public policy. These ethical dilemmas public policy actors face, and their decisions can affect many domestically and internationally and impact in intended and unintended ways. Delving into understanding these ethical questions when developing public policies can help decision-makers craft policies that consider sound moral principles that impact stakeholders. This course builds a foundation of ethical principles and philosophies and then translates into action.

Outcome 1: Describe and develop a foundation of knowledge of the foundational theories on ethical principles.

Outcome 2: Discover, investigate, and explain how ethical concepts translate into public policy and decision-making.

Outcome 3: Breakdown arguments to identify and compare ethical components.

Outcome 4: Compare, justify, and explain multiple sides of an argument using values and ethics to drive policy and perspective.