The ethical issues of health care are some of the most controversial and interesting of our day. In this course, ethical theory is critically examined and applied to moral problems in health care, sometimes using the medium of films and case studies. Moral problems in contemporary medical practice and public policy such as informed consent, euthanasia, confidentiality, termination of treatment, HIV/AIDS, genetics, the allocation of scarce resources, surrogate decision making, advance directives, paternalism, and research involving human and animal subjects are analyzed and discussed.
This course examines the major ethical and social responsibilities managers and business organizations face regarding owners, managers, non-management employees, local communities, the natural environment, and other important stakeholders. A clear understanding of what constitutes proper and ethical business practices will be employed to case studies and contemporary business operations. Areas of study will include but not be limited to: sexual harassment, affirmative action, outsourcing, employee privacy, and employer obligation to workers and local communities. PMI
What is the relationship between the good life and good food Between a society and a just food system Moving between the local and the global, the personal and the political, this course takes up the many and diverse ethical questions that attend to one of our most basic human activities: eating. PMI
A critical historical exploration of timeless political questions through the classical works of thinkers such as Plato, Aristotle, Locke, Machiavelli, Marx, and others. Central themes may include the moral/personal vs. economic/social dimensions of justice, the dangers and advantages of various forms of government, the nature of human rights, the dangers and advantages of private property, the role of the family, religion, and money in society, the basis and limitations of governmental power, and the relationship of politics and ethics.
The purpose of the course "Philosophy in Latin America" is to introduce students to the depth and diversity of philosophy in Latin America. The course examines how philosophy in Latin America develops in response to the larger socio-political context, re-thinking European ideas to make sense of the unique realities of Latin America.
This course introduces students to basic aspects of how systems of artificial intelligence operate and the wide variety of challenges (and opportunities) that AI systems pose for human beings. The course will explore the role AI plays in understanding/modeling human thought, exploring the nature of consciousness, shaping social interaction, and organizing society.
This course presents an introductory survey of the history of western medicine, the evolution of the major doctrines of health and illness, and the changing position of health care providers in society during the past 2500 years. It examines the ancient Greek innovations in healing, the medieval rise of hospitals and the changes to medicine brought about by the Scientific Revolution. The course culminates with the professionalization of medicine and the rise of the modern hospital system. HA
A study of the three great religions/civilizations of the Mediterranean region in the middle ages-Islam, Byzantine Christianity, and western Christianity-from about 400-1500, focusing on their basic beliefs and religious practices, and their economic, social, political, and cultural characteristics. It also studies the points of contact and conflict among the civilizations, including the crusades, the Reconquista, and the Islamic intellectual influence on Western Europe through Sicily and Spain. The role and experience of the Jews through the centuries are also explored. HA
Courses on topics of interest to history students offered on the basis of need, interest, or timeliness. Restricted to students with junior standing or higher. May be repeated for credit. For specific section description, click to the Section Details in VitNet.
Advanced non-classroom experiences in the field of history. Placements are off-campus, and may be full- or part-time, and with or without pay. Credit for experiences must be sought prior to occurance, and learning contracts must be submitted before the end of the first week of the semester. See the experiential learning: internship section of this catalog for more details. Restricted to students with junior standing or higher. Graded CR/NC.