Ethics & Moral Philosophy

This is a one-semester online course focused on Introduction to Ethics and Moral Philosophy. The course is designed to help high school students learn and develop skills necessary to analyze and discuss ethical dilemmas. Through the examination of foundational texts from philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, and Immanuel Kant, students will explore questions regarding the meaning of the word "Good" and its application to contemporary ethical issues.

Students can expect weekly reading assignments, reading questions, in-class discussions, case-study discussions, and two extended papers. There will also be a take-home midterm test and final exam. The course assumes no prior background knowledge, and the reading passages are chosen to be appropriate for high school students who have a good reading ability. The goal of the course is to challenge students to examine their own personal beliefs and understand that a "good" life is possible through careful discernment informed by Western ethical thought.