Ethics and Social Institutions (ESI)

The program in Ethics and Social Institutions is designed to enable students to examine and evaluate social issues from an interdisciplinary perspective. The ESI program offers two opportunities for students. ESI 101 is a General Education Social Science course which introduces ethical theory and considers a variety of institutions in light of ethics. In addition, students can choose to major in Interdisciplinary Studies with a Concentration in Ethics and Social Institutions. Courses in the ESI concentration are drawn from many disciplines, including but not limited to Economics, Philosophy, Political Science, and Sociology.

Students who participate in ESI will became aware of economic, political, and cultural institutions and the relationships between them, including markets, governments, and community organizations; become familiar with how institutions influence (and are influenced by) individuals; learn processes which result in social choice; and be able to determine the ethical implications of the processes and outcomes of social choice.

Students following the program in Ethics and Social Institutions will be well prepared for careers or graduate study in law, business, or more specialized academic disciplines.

Courses

ESI101: Introduction to Ethics and Social Institutions

Assesses the ethical implications of both the processes and the outcomes of social decision-making. Students will acquire an understanding of the structure of social institutions and the processes through which social choices are made. Central to the analysis is a study of ethics as a criterion for assessment of social decision-making with emphasis on the study of particular issues of social choice. Fall.

ESI480: Internship in Ethics and Social Institutions

Semester-long internship with a host organization in either the private or public sector. Open only to students who have declared a major in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Ethics and Social Institutions. See ESI concentration coordinator for permission.

ESI490 Senior Research in Ethics and Social Institutions

Guided research on a topic of interest in Ethics and Social Institutions. The research project serves as the senior capstone experience for ESI majors. An IP grade may be awarded at the discretion of the instructor. See program coordinator.

Special Topics And Colloquia

• ESI 171-6 Special Topics in Ethics and Social Institutions
• ESI 179 Liberal Studies Colloquia (LS 179)
• ESI 271-6 Special Topics in Ethics and Social Institutions
• ESI 371-6 Special Topics in Ethics and Social Institutions
• ESI 379 Liberal Studies Colloquia (LS 379)
• ESI 471-6 Special Topics in Ethics and Social Institutions
• ESI 479 Liberal Studies Colloquia (LS 479)

Majoring In Interdisciplinary Studies With A Concentration In Ethics And Social Institutions

The concentration in Ethics and Social Institutions is designed to enable students to examine and evaluate social issues from interdisciplinary perspectives. Participating students will learn about economic, political, and cultural institutions and the relationships between them. By examining markets, governments, and community organizations, students will learn about decision making processes and be able to determine their ethical implications and the outcomes of social choice.

With the guidance of the ESI coordinator, students will design an individualized course of study by drawing on many disciplines including, but not limited to, Economics, Philosophy, Political Science, and Sociology. Thematic possibilities could include “Social Ethics,” “Ethics, Society, and the Law,” “Social Decision-making”, “Interaction of Societies,” or “The Individual and Society.” A list of regularly-scheduled courses which fall into these thematic categories is available from Jeff Konz, the ESI concentration coordinator.

With the proper planning, students graduating with a concentration in Ethics and Social Institutions will be well prepared for careers or advanced study in law, business, or more specialized academic disciplines.

Program Requirements

I. Required courses for the major–18 hours, including: ESI 101, PHIL 200, ESI 490; ECON 101 or 102; POLS 220 or 281; and SOC 100.

II. Required courses outside the major--21 hours. Students will design an elective program organized around a theme in Ethics and Social Institutions in consultation with the student’s major advisor and approved by the ESI coordinator. No more than nine of these credit hours may come from any one department; at least 18 of the 21 elective hours must be at the 300-level or above; and at least 26 of the total 39 hours must be taken while a student at UNCA. (A student wishing to double major may count only six of the credit hours for the major concentration toward an ESI concentration. None of a student’s credit hours earned for a declared minor can be counted toward an ESI concentration.)

III. Other concentration requirements–Senior demonstration of both major and oral competency is met by successful completion of ESI 490 with a grade of C or higher.

Declaration of Major in IST with a Concentration in ESI

Declaring a major in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Ethics and Social Institutions for a Bachelor of Arts Degree requires the student to have their course of study approved by the ESI coordinator. A copy of the program and the ESI coordinator’s approval are then presented to the Director of Interdisciplinary Studies. The student then completes a Declaration of Major Form that must be signed by the Director. Before declaring a major a student must satisfy the LANG 120 requirement.

Designing your Elective Program in ESI

Your elective program allows you to develop a course of study consistent with your particular interests and which allows you to investigate a particular set of social institutions. It is important that these courses not simply be an assemblage of courses but a real course of study which is intellectually defensible. The most likely courses for you to use come from Anthropology, Economics, Management, Mass Communication, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology, but courses from other disciplines may be used in your particular program.

You should come up with a title for your elective program that indicates to the ESI director what your course of study is about. Examples to give you an idea of the kinds of connections you can explore in your program include “Ethics, Society, and the Law”; “Globalization and the Individual”; “International Political Economy”, “Economic Power in American Society” and “Political and Social Decision-making”.

Issues to be aware of in designing your elective program:

1. Distribution of Courses: Of your 21 hours, no more than 9 hours may be from any one discipline and 18 hours must be at the 300 level or above.
2. Other Possibilities: Special topics courses, other courses in these departments, or courses from other departments may be justified. 
3. Prerequisites: Some of these courses have prerequisites or require permission of the instructor. Furthermore, some of these courses are taken sequentially. Don’t ignore the prerequisites without first consulting with the instructor
4. Offering Patterns: Some of these courses are offered only infrequently or upon demand. Don’t assume that the department will offer the course exactly when you need it.