PHIL 4120 - Professional Ethics

Description

This course introduces students to ethical issues common to the professions. The term "profession" is a label for a class of occupations, exemplified by the traditional model of the lawyer or physician. We will think about characteristics of these occupations that distinguish them as a class and how these characteristics are related to a variety of ethical problems.

Learning Objectives

• Recognize and apply reasoning skills within ethical contexts;
• Discuss the professions as a class of occupations and identify characteristics shared by the occupations that give rise to certain ethical issue;
• Discuss several ethical issues common to the professions, including the nature of the professional/client relationship, lies/deception for the clients good, the role of privacy, confidentiality and trust, the place of loyalty, the nature and value of integrity, and various social justice issues;
• Discuss in both oral and written discourse different ethical issues professionals face.