Ethics, Culture, and Society

Freedom and flexibility to accommodate your particular interests.

Program Information

Ethics, Culture, and Society is an interdisciplinary program combining courses from at least two academic disciplinary areas including history, philosophy, and art, with an emphasis on collaborative problem-solving and community engagement. Students in the major participate in service learning, internships, research, study abroad, and cultural immersion experiences, and enjoy the freedom to chart their own course of study. Course-embedded assignments are also connected to the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethical Leadership series of speakers and annual conference. The critical thinking and communication skills students learn through this major have a broad range of applications, including for careers in law, public relations, writing, human resources, and media.

 

Emphasis on social justice and advocacy  

Internship, research and study abroad opportunities

Highly customizable major

Ethics, Culture, and Society (BS)

A themed interdisciplinary program of study combining courses from at least two academic disciplinary areas including History, Philosophy, and Art, with a focus on collaborative problem-solving for the common good. Personal choice drives each student’s pathway, with transdisciplinary perspectives and creativity applied to real-world issues in the La Crosse community and beyond. Course-embedded assignments are connected to the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethical Leadership series of speakers and annual conference.

Art (Track)

The Art track is part of the Ethics, Culture, and Society. Art is a timeless means of communicating human experience. Artistic, creative abilities help move our civilization forward. Students undertaking the art minor at Viterbo University learn what it means to recognize and create sound works of art, and to understand the art forms of cultures throughout history. The art minor provides students with meaningful opportunities to study and practice artistic methods, techniques, and media, embedded with intellectual inquiry and critical analysis. In this minor, students are mentored in their quest to answer relevant questions, like:  How do I generate ideas and discern their strength? How do I turn my ideas into strong, original art forms? How do I craft them with my hands? How might I use art and my creative abilities to serve my community? Students majoring in all disciplines are encouraged to undertake an art minor to enhance their learning experience as they prepare for life beyond college. The minor consists of an 18-credit sequence of courses in studio art and art history. Students are required to take two Foundations courses, one course in art history, and nine credits in studio electives. Studio courses are offered in painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, photography, and graphic design. 

History (Track)

The history track is part of Ethics, Culture, and Society. It prepares students with a wealth of world knowledge--both past and present. Encouraging curiosity and mindfulness of the events that shape civilization throughout world history defines the choice of this minor. History gives access to all areas of the globe, and the ability to connect ideas across cultures serves students well in their education and career. Studying history grants students a unique opportunity to supplement their skills in written and oral communication, while also learning to be informed citizens of the world.

Philosophy (Track)

The Philosophy track is part of Ethics, Culture, and Society. Philosophy is being recognized more and more as one of the strongest and most versatile fields of study. In fact, we live in an age where employers want employees to be more than just knowledgeable in their chosen field, employers want critical thinkers, clear communicators, and ethical decision makers. These skills are central to the study of philosophy, and are taught to students pursuing the philosophy track. This minor is a great supplement for those going into the business world, law, or public policy. 

Legal Studies (Minor)

The legal studies minor is an interdisciplinary minor that gives students the opportunity to explore legal issues in a variety of ways. Some students may be interested in applying to law school upon graduation and wish to gain an intellectual base in legal studies at the undergraduate level. Others, however, have an interest in the law and, therefore, pursue the minor in order to further their interests in the subject and to complement their major—generally one in the humanities. Through a combination of business law, philosophy, and criminal justice courses, students can complete the legal studies minor. The total credits of the minor requirements are 18. Transfer course and waivers and/or substitutions could modify these credit totals.

Art (Minor)

Art is a timeless means of communicating human experience. Artistic, creative abilities help move our civilization forward. Students undertaking the art minor at Viterbo University learn what it means to recognize and create sound works of art, and to understand the art forms of cultures throughout history. The art minor provides students with meaningful opportunities to study and practice artistic methods, techniques, and media, embedded with intellectual inquiry and critical analysis. In this minor, students are mentored in their quest to answer relevant questions, like:  How do I generate ideas and discern their strength? How do I turn my ideas into strong, original art forms? How do I craft them with my hands? How might I use art and my creative abilities to serve my community? Students majoring in all disciplines are encouraged to undertake an art minor to enhance their learning experience as they prepare for life beyond college. The minor consists of an 18-credit sequence of courses in studio art and art history. Students are required to take two Foundations courses, one course in art history, and nine credits in studio electives. Studio courses are offered in painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, photography, and graphic design. 

Philosophy (Minor)

Minors at Viterbo University generally require between 15–25 credits upon completion. Transfer course and waivers and/or substitutions could modify these credit totals.

Ethics (Minor)

The minor in ethics recognizes both the interdisciplinary nature of many moral problems as well as the value of ethical reasoning and ethical theory. Employers state that moral decision-making is one of the most important skills that employees can have, yet this area is rarely recognized on transcripts and degrees as a specific area of competency. Given the importance of ethics and moral reasoning for students' own personal development, as well as its value for recognizing and resolving moral problems both in and out of the workplace, having a minor in ethics is a great way to prepare students to deal with the complexity of the real world.

Political Science (Minor)

Students pursuing a political science minor deepen their knowledge on how governments, institutions, public policy, and political behavior work in the modern world. The political science minor at Viterbo University helps students who plan on entering careers in government service, public policy, journalism, and other related professions. Many students study political science to help prepare for law school and other graduate programs as well. 

History (Minor)

Minors at Viterbo University generally require between 15–25 credits upon completion. Transfer course and waivers and/or substitutions could modify these credit totals.

Servant Leadership (Minor)

A minor in servant leadership at Viterbo University provides an opportunity for individuals to develop and deepen their vocation to engage in competent, creative, and faithful leadership that works for the common good. Those with this minor generally plan on serving as a leader in ministry, non-profit organizations, or business. The total credits of the minor requirements are 15. Transfer course, waivers and/or substitutions, and prerequisite courses could modify these credit totals.

Latin American and Latino/a Studies (Minor)

The Spanish language is ever-growing in popularity, and now almost 15% of Americans speak it. Having an enriched knowledge of Latin culture and the Spanish language is a valuable trait in modern America. The Latin American Studies minor at Viterbo University is a great route for improving the competency skills of students, which helps enrich a skill set that is valuable in the health care, education, business, social work, and communication fields, among others. This minor promotes two significant outcomes. The first is to raise awareness of social justice issues related to Latin America populations, and Latinos in the United States. The other is to encourage local, national and international engagement and advocacy toward social justice issues in Latin America, and Latinos in the United States.  

Pre-Law (Track)

Students interested in a law career are individually counseled by the pre-law advisor who suggests a program of study and provides information on law school application. Pre-law students are advised to focus on undergraduate majors which develop reading, writing, and critical thinking. This may be more important than focusing on specific content. Maintenance of a relatively high undergraduate grade point average is very important for successful law school admission. Recommended undergraduate majors include, but are not limited to, accounting, criminal justice, English, management, psychology, and ethics, culture, and society. Minors in history, philosophy, and sociology should also be considered. Pre-law students will be advised concerning other courses that will benefit them.
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