College of Arts and Sciences
Curriculum
The ethics major is an integrated learning major, meaning that it must be paired with a second major. Majors currently approved to pair with ethics include management; television, radio and film; broadcast, magazine, news and digital journalism; engineering, computer science, biology, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, political science, public health, anthropology, psychology, sociology and international relations, but others are also possible. Complete coursework from a major on this list, then pursue ethics coursework, such as contemporary and historical philosophical theory, ethical topics related to the second major and other courses related to ethical topics.
- Understand and explain core ethical concepts and theories and their historical development.
- Critically evaluate ethical theories and arguments.
- Write clearly and concisely, and effectively organize your writing.
- Conduct independent research on a topic in ethics by finding, assessing and employing relevant literature.
- Understand and be able to explain moral problems that arise in the sciences, politics, professional fields and everyday life.
- History of Ethics
- Contemporary Ethics
- Ethics and the Media Professions
- Introduction to Moral Theory
- Public Health Ethics
Extracurricular Opportunities
Study Abroad in Madrid, Spain
Ethics majors most often go abroad to the Syracuse University center in Madrid, Spain. While there, students also travel to the Canary Islands, Picos de Europa and Morocco, and can pursue internships with a number of organizations, foundations, charities and nongovernment organizations in fields such as business, communication, public relations, education, administration and web design.
Philosophy Club
The Philosophy Club aims to take philosophy out of the classroom by hosting informal discussions, guest lectures, movie nights, philosophy cafes (thought experiments and games, with coffee and cookies), professional development workshops and more. Topics are based on club members’ personal interests, and membership is open to students from all majors.
Peterfreund Prize
Syracuse University juniors and seniors are eligible for nomination for the undergraduate Peterfreund Prize. This $1,000 award recognizes keen interest in philosophical questions and outstanding work in philosophy courses.
Aurantium
Read about current student research in Aurantium (from the Latin for "orange"), our in-house undergraduate philosophy journal.
Learn more about this program