Ethics is a central area of human concern and human inquiry. A special concern with ethics and human values is one of the things that defines Loyola University Chicago and the Jesuit Tradition. Philosophy and philosophical treatments of ethics and ethical theory are foundational for the critical discussion of ethical issues in other fields. The Minor in Ethics and Moral Philosophy can prove to be a significant credential for some students, both for finding employment and for admission to graduate or professional school, as there is increasing attention to the study of ethics in professional schools.

For further information, please contact the Philosophy Undergraduate Program Director Dr. Kristen Irwin.

Curriculum

For this minor a student must take six courses in ethics. At least four of these six courses must be taken from the Philosophy Department, and at least two of them must be at the 300-level. As many as two ethics courses can be taken outside of the Philosophy Department.

Each student's minor program must include:

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Minor Requirements
Select two lower-level philosophy courses in ethics: 1		6
PHIL 181	Ethics
PHIL 182	Social and Political Philosophy
PHIL 284	Health Care Ethics
PHIL 285	Contemporary Ethical Issues
PHIL 286	Ethics and Education
PHIL 288	Culture and Civilization
PHIL 289	Philosophy and Gender
Select two 300-level philosophy courses in ethics: 1		6
PHIL 321	Ethics and Society
PHIL 323	Philosophy of Law
PHIL 324	Topics in Ethics 2
PHIL 369	Philosophy of Medicine
PHIL 385	Environmental Ethics
PHIL 388	History of Ethics
PHIL 389	Contemporary Issues 3
PHIL 398	Capstone Seminar in Contemporary Philosophy 3
PHIL 399	Capstone Seminar on a Topic in Philosophy 3
Select two courses from the following:		6
THEO 192	Topics in Moral Problems
THEO 340	Foundations of Christian Morality
THEO 342	Perspectives on Life and Death
THEO 344	Theology and Ecology
Up to two additional elective philosophy courses in ethics at any level (e.g.100-, 200- or 300-level)
Total Hours		18

¹

Note that, in addition to the courses listed here, individual sections of philosophy courses that are not on this list but which are taught as ethics classes can count towards the minor on a case by case basis.

²

Two or more sections of PHIL 324 Topics in Ethics can count towards the minor, if those sections are different ethics courses.

³

Some sections of PHIL 389 Contemporary Issues, PHIL 398 Capstone Seminar in Contemporary Philosophy, and PHIL 399 Capstone Seminar on a Topic in Philosophy can count toward the minor, provided such sections are ethics courses.

Note that a student can incorporate the courses taken for the Core Curriculum into this minor, in such a way that only some additional courses are needed to complete this minor. For example, a student can take two Core philosophy area courses in ethics and one Core theology area course in ethics. That student would then take three additional ethics courses (of which two are from Philosophy at the 300-level) in order to receive the Minor in Ethics and Moral Philosophy.

Undergraduate Policies and Procedures

Please see Undergraduate Policies and Procedures for academic policies that supersede those of academic units within the University.

learning outcomes

Upon completion of the Minor in Ethics and Moral Philosophy students will be able to:

• Analyze major texts in the history of philosophy.
• Articulate major philosophical problems and their solutions, such as questions concerning truth and knowledge, reality, moral values, and justice.
• Distinguish and explain different philosophical methodologies or approaches.
• Explain and apply ethical frameworks.
• Evaluate or construct arguments.