New Programs in Ethics

Offered in September 2007

The Department of Philosophy will offer programs in Applied Ethics starting in September 2007. These programs will be offered to regular students and professionals currently involved or interested in Ethics. Courses offered will range from public, business, and bio-medical ethics to ethical theory, anthropology, political philosophy and philosophy of law.

The Department presents a unique combination of expertise, tradition and approach to offer a superior program in applied ethics, which will successfully provide highly trained professionals to fulfil a current need in society as well as the mission of our College.

To download the application form, click here. (link to http://www.collegedominicain.ca/newsite/English/admiss.cfm)

Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Philosophy and Minor in Ethics

120 credits, including 30 credits in ethics

The B. Ph. with Minor in Ethics is for students looking to obtain an in-depth knowledge of philosophy and ethics in order to pursue graduate studies in the field.

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy with Concentration in Ethics ( 90 credits)

The B.A. with Concentration in Ethics is intended for regular students and professionals seeking an in-depths university education in ethics. This program will allow graduates to work as ethics specialists in various fields, including Government, business, defence, health and science.

This program will include 30 general credits, 30 credits in philosophy and 30 credits in applied ethics (these may include a practical internship).

Certificate in Applied Ethics (Philosophy) ( 30 credits)

The Certificate in Applied Ethics is intended for professionals who wish to acquire in-depth knowledge of ethics applicable to their work environment. This program will be particularly useful for people acting as, or wishing to fill the position of ethics officer in their workplace.

Courses Offered in Ethics

Environmental Ethics

Increasingly, environmental questions are becoming pressing: global warming, accelerated production and energy consumption, the destruction of natural habitats, the contamination of soil, air and sound environment call for immediate action based on a new conception of our relation with nature and the environment.

Ethics and International Relations

The question of ethics is extremely difficult when considering international relations. Do states have moral duties and obligations towards other states, or are they required to only serve their own best interests? This course examines various options for integrating ethics in the theory and practice of international relations.

Ethics in War and Peace: Introduction to Defence Ethics

With Canadians increasingly involved in complex operations of combat, peace-keeping and reconstruction, military ethics poses a radical challenge to ethics, given the nature of military operations. This course examines the history of military ethics, including just war theories, the philosophical and psychological foundations of military ethics, and well as models provided by the forces of other countries, such as the US, Britain, France and Australia.

Governance with Justice and Respect: Introduction to Public Ethics

This course examines the important developments of the last decades in the field of public ethics. The course examines the foundations of public ethics, notably in the Canadian context. The course surveys the various ethical documents, codes, statements and programs in the Canadian government. The course will use case studies to develop analytical and practical decision-making skills.

Media Ethics

This course explores the field of media ethics. It investigates the foundations of media ethics, and surveys a variety of cases, from print and electronic media. Topics include objectivity, confidentiality, security,

Philosophical Ethics

Study of the main alternatives in ethics today. We are concerned with the following questions: what is really important in life, what is ultimately the right way of living, how can we become better equipped to distinguish between right and wrong, what are the main concepts which operate in the different ethical theories? Examples and cases from applied ethics.

Philosophical Anthropology

Study of the essential features of our humanity: language, historicity, corporeity, consciousness, freedom, play. This philosophical analysis is worked out in a constant dialogue with the different human sciences. The course invites each student to propose a personal view on this central question and to reflect on the ultimate meaning of human life.

Philosophy of Culture

We live in a natural world, but culture is our intellectual home. This course explores the concept of culture and its evolution from the Greek paideia to the Modern concept of culture. Special attention will be paid to the works of Rousseau, Hegel, Nietzsche, Lyotard and Charles Taylor. Other issues such as multi-culturalism, cultural relativism and post-modern culture will also be discussed.

Philosophy of Law

This course offers a critical examination of competing theories of law, such as positive, natural and divine law. The goal of the course is to provide a philosophical framework for an understanding of the nature of law and its relation to morality and the organization of civil society.

Political Philosophy

Politics is both a complex matter of fact, and a moral issue. This course will address both aspects of this fascinating field of human activity. We are concerned with the following questions: beneath the variety of existing political regimes, are there any constant features? are political groupings the result of a "social contract" or of sheer human nature? why do we come together as political communities? is there an ideal form of political community?

Success with Integrity: Introduction to Business Ethics

This course explores the important developments in business ethics in the last decades. The course examines the foundations of business ethics and explores the ethics codes, statements and programs in various industries. The course will use case studies to develop analytical and practical skills in ethical decision-making.

Science and Engineering Ethics

This course investigates the various ethical problems raised by science and technology. Topics will include research ethics concerning human subjects, use of genetic material, public safety and risk-management; environmentally friendly technology and policies; regional development, surveillance and privacy rights.

Joint courses with the Faculty of Theology

Moral Theology

The Gospel of God and the practices of the Church propose perspectives from which to think through human action and ethical questions. Moving beyond apologetical propositions on the specificity of christian ethics, the role of conscience, natural law, inculturation, etc., the lectures offer an introduction to the constitution of christian ethics and the discourses structuring it.

Bio-medical Ethics

Offered in 2008-2009

A number of these courses will be offered in the evening. Schedules will be posted on the College website.

Coures are offered according to student demand. A selection will be offered each year.

Ethics Professors

Prof Eduardo Andujar, Ph.D.

Peace studies

Prof. Denis Beauchamp, Ph.D.

Public ethics, Defence ethics

Prof. Didier Caenepeel, Ph.D.

Bio-medical ethics, Medical anthropology

Prof. Wendy Hamblet, Ph.D.

International relations, ethics and culture

Prof. Jean-François Méthot, Ph.D.

Business, public, engineering ethics

Prof. Francis Peddle, Ph.D.

Philosophy of law, public economy

Prof. Richard Sembera, Ph.D.

Environmental ethics; animals rights