Diploma in Ethics

The Diploma in Ethics, offered through Western University, Department of Philosophy, is being offered as a response to a wide and growing interest in the ethical dimensions of professional and public life. The purpose of this program is to enable participants to strengthen and develop their understanding of ethics so as to enhance their ability to recognize and respond to ethical issues in a wide variety of social settings. The Diploma in Ethics will educate students in the essential concepts, central issues, history, and methodologies of ethical reasoning. The program also emphasizes the development of critical thinking skills, writing skills and verbal skills. The Diploma in Ethics is a post-undergraduate program of study that may be completed full-time in one year or part-time over a number of years.

The program consists of five full-course equivalents. Students are required to complete four half-courses in moral theory, moral reasoning and professional ethics. Students must also complete an additional six half course equivalents in applied ethics, political philosophy or philosophy of law. Typical course selections include business ethics, biomedical ethics, death, feminist philosophy, history of political philosophy, and environmental philosophy.

The Diploma in Ethics is open to anyone who has completed a three or four-year undergraduate degree. The program is geared towards students who have degrees in subjects other than Philosophy, and thus presupposes no prior background in ethics or Philosophy. Although all eligible people are invited to apply, the Diploma in Ethics is particularly well-suited to those who are, or who intend to be, working in a profession such as law, medicine, nursing, journalism, education, engineering, government or business. The Diploma in Ethics is a program of study that may be completed full-time in one year or part-time over a number of years.

Admission Requirements

Students must have a three or four- year undergraduate degree. The program is designed for students who have degrees in areas other than Philosophy. While no particular background is presupposed, Diploma students are required to have writing skills sufficiently strong to write essays at the university level.

Progression Requirement

Students must maintain at least a 70% average and obtain a mark of not less than 60% in each course to remain in the program

Module Information

> Module requirements

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