Ethics Across the Curriculum

Ethics Across the Curriculum

at Dartmouth College

Aine Donovan

Ethics Institute

In 2001 the Ethics Institute initiated a strategic planning process that lasted the academic year. The faculty advisory board critically examined the mission of the Institute and its place within the Dartmouth community. Two key findings of that extensive undertaking resulted in the creation of the Ethics Across the Curriculum: faculty are key stakeholders for the Ethics Institute, and research is at the core of the mission. Helping faculty to integrate ethics into their research and teaching is the primary goal of the Institute.

A pilot program for EATC was launched in the Fall of 2002, with six faculty members from a variety of disciplines. The program provided an intellectual overview of ethical theory, practical insight into pedagogical tools, and the creation of individual faculty projects. At the conclusion of the pilot year program, the faculty had created new courses, case studies, and research articles. Inspired by the success of the pilot program, the seminar was offered to the entire Dartmouth faculty for the 2003-2004 academic year . The response for the 15 member seminar was overwhelming and required the exclusion of many eager participants, but the pool of future applicants is encouraging.

The program is structured with monthly seminars that allow the participants ample time to read the required material and prepare for discussions. To enhance this program we envision a kick-off event every Fall that would bring a nationally recognized figure in applied ethics to campus. This individual would lead a one-day workshop with faculty on his or her particular area of expertise; for example, Nel Noddings on the question of whether men and women reason differently on moral matters, or Michael Walzer on the issue of Humanitarian Intervention. This day-long workshop would provide the entire faculty an opportunity to participate in an ethics education event, even if they are not able to participate in the more extensive year-long seminar.

Ethics education for faculty is a key component in a liberal arts education, and Dartmouth faculty are keenly aware of the complexity of emerging ethical issues and the need to address them in a timely manner. We are committed to serving that need for the faculty and, ultimately, the students of Dartmouth College .