Instructor

Prof. Vikram Singh Sirola

Semester

Spring ‘21

Course Difficulty

Easy

Time Commitment Required

Class time and extra time for compulsory reading material provided.

Grading Policy and Statistics

Good.

Attendance Policy

No strict attendance, but marks were given to those who were regular for class participation, etc.

Topics Covered in the Course

I. Introduction to Ethics: Conceptual and Foundational Issues
a. What is morality?
b. Approaches to Ethical issues
c. Analysis of Ethical concepts
d. Fundamental ethical theories

II. Nature and Characteristics of Professions and professional

III. The relation between professional and general ethics;
a. Moral agent: Ethical dilemmas and conflicts
b. Moral qualities associated with professions
c. Rights and Responsibilities of Professionals: Occupational and Ordinary Morality

IV. Foundations and norms of professional ethics; issue of autonomy of professional ethics

V. Specific issues pertaining to:
a. Medical Ethics (Bioethics)
b. Business Ethics
c. Engineering Ethics
d. Environmental Ethics

Teaching Style

Aim: discussing the special ethical problems and issues that arise in a profession for the professional, the client, and the larger community.
Methodology: application of moral reasoning to established professions such as engineering. Medical, business, nursing, journalism, etc.

Motivation for taking this course

Through successful completion of course – lecture discussions, readings, and assignments one would hopefully gain the tools to identify and analyze ethical issues in your professional life.

Application of moral reasoning to established professions such as engineering. Medical, business, nursing, journalism etc.

Moral reasoning entails the search for values and principles that promote a good life and human flourishing. Employing the expertise as professional may affect the lives of others very severely. It is critically important that one is thoughtful and reflective about the role of ethics in their work.

Interesting relevant links

Martin, Mike W, Meaningful Work : Rethinking Professional Ethics, New York: Oxford University Press, 2000
Koehn, D., The Ground of Professional Ethics, Routledge, 1995
Camenisch, P.F. Grounding Professional Ethics in a Pluralistic Society, N.Y.: Haven
Publications, 1983
Bayles, M.D., Professional Ethics, California: Wardsworth Publishing Company, 1981
Wuest, D.E., Professional Ethics and Social Responsibility, Rowman & Littlefield, 1994

HS 448 Review By: Shruti Singh