The Ethical Life builds upon students ethical reasoning to examine moral values and explore real world dilemmas. Students will examine virtue ethics, deontological ethics, and utilitarianism. By the end of the course, students should be able to identify and analyze their own ethical values and apply ethical principles to clarify a range of issues. Students may not earn credit for more than one VUSM course at the 400 level. Prerequisite: any LDW and SJE course or transfer student placement, WCII course. TEL

This course concentrates on exploring the different kinds of moral problems that arise in relation to the creation, distribution, communication and consumption of different types of information and forms of entertainment. New forms of media over the last sixty years have changed how we access information, learn about the world, and pursue entertainment. This course investigates problems of manipulation, coercion and deception in relation to advertisement, entertainment, and journalism, exploring the complicated issue of how we might assess questions of moral responsibility within various types of media. Students may not earn credit for more than one VUSM course at the 400 level. Prerequisite: any LDW and SJE course or transfer student placement, WCII course. TEL

Independent reading and/or research which does not fit appropriately within other departments. Must be under the direction of a faculty member. Refer to the academic policy section for independent study policy. Independent study contract is required. May be repeated for credit.

Work with a team to explore a realistic, open-ended and multifaceted project under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Tasks may include research, design exploration, design refinement, prototyping, documentation, customer discovery, marketing, or program management. This course provides disciplinary expertise to a capstone engineering project. Consent of instructor required.

Viterbo University was founded in 1890 by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. This entry-level course examines that heritage and what it means to be and behave like a Franciscan. These courses will use the works of Saints Francis, Clare, and Rose of Viterbo as a foundation for exploring the universitys core values of hospitality, integrity, contemplation, stewardship and service. Students may not earn credit for more than one VUSM course at the 100 level. FVT

Students in this seminar will define, identify, and evaluate diverse notions of justice, equity, equality, oppression, discrimination, and prejudice specifically related to diversity. While thinking more broadly about what constitutes a fair and just society, students will build skills in cultural awareness and empathy. The course culminates in a group problem-solving project. Prerequisite: any 100-level VUSM course or transfer student placement. LDW

This seminar is designed to increase students awareness, understanding, and appreciation of diversity, broadly defined (e.g., diversity in race and ethnicity, social class, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, and religion). Students will build skills for becoming responsible citizens and advocates for cultural competency. Students will complete course expectations through an intercultural travel experience. Prerequisite: any 100-level VUSM course or transfer student placement and completed study abroad application and approval. LDW

The content of this course focuses on novels written between 1983 and 2004 by women who identify as Caribbean even though they may not live or have been born in that part of the world. All but one of the novels used in the course were originally written in English. I, Tituba was written in French and translated into English. The novels to be read are set in several different countries (Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Barbados, Antiqua, Cuba); but as Caribbean womens fiction, they share common themes and ways of perceiving the world. Our goal this semester is to try to see through the eyes of Caribbean women writers in order to understand a world recovering from slavery and colonialism and responding to sexism and the Western world. Prerequisite: any 100 level VUSM course or transfer student placement. LDW, LA

Global Music in a Diverse World raises critical consciousness of diverse populations through the exploration of various musical and cultural traditions from around the world. Examples include Indonesia, Puerto Rico, Ghana, Argentina, Jazz, Gospel and other traditions. These cultures will be studied within the broader context of rituals, memory, migration, politics, transmission, identity and life-cycle events. Students will learn through directed reading, listening, online group discussion, giving online presentations and attending live performances. Through this seminar course, students will become advocates for cultural competency and responsible citizens in our diverse and changing world. Prerequisite: any 100-level VUSM course or transfer student placement. LDW, AE

At its best, theatre helps us understand who we are; it can explain, examine, ridicule, or celebrate the human condition. Gender is a fundamental aspect of personal and social identity. It is a biological, psychological, and cultural category of paramount importance. In addition, gender is often a criterion for social stratification and differing political treatment, as well as a favored symbol for expressing essential values and beliefs. This course examines specific examples of the representation of women on the American stage, focusing on what this dramatic literature says and implies about women. The course illuminates ideas about the "nature" of women and the changing perceptions of their roles in both the family and society throughout the last 100 years. The course also addresses how these changes impact the role of men in American society. Prerequisite: any 100-level VUSM course or transfer student placement. LDW, LA