ClassInfo - Spring 2017 Public Affairs Classes Taught by Paul Stone

Spring 2017 | PA 5106 Section 001: Government, Ethics and the Public Will (55350)

Instructor(s): Paul Stone
Class Component:: Lecture
Credits:: 3 Credits
Grading Basis:: Student Option No Audit
Instructor Consent:: No Special Consent Required
Instruction Mode:: In Person Term Based
Times and Locations:: Regular Academic Session

01/17/2017 - 05/05/2017

Tue, Thu 01:00PM - 02:15PM

UMTC, West Bank

Blegen Hall 225

Course Catalog Description:

Links between core ethical values/formation documents that have shaped democracy in United States or student's homeland. Ethics/agency. Ethics in context of leadership development. Compose narrative of ethical practice. prereq: Grad student or instr consent

Class Notes:

http://classinfo.umn.edu/?stone069+PA5106+Spring2017

Class Description:

Ethics is the oldest and arguably the central topic of Western philosophy. Since Aristotle all serious considerations of effective government and types of prescribed behavior within free and just societies have taken into account ethical discussions, sensibilities and historical perspectives. Ethics and morals are not the same. However, ethical approaches that do not rely on moral sensibilities have little merit in the context of public life, and even less merit in the curricula of schools of public affairs. An ethical sensibility based on the understanding of moral ideals is as important in the framing and exercise of government as it is in the practice of medicine, law or business. This 3-credit course is designed to give students a combined historical and philosophical perspective on ethics as applied routinely to governing and the expectations of the public. The readings pose questions relating not only to ethical ideals but to indifference, ignorance and cynicism as well. Discussions in class are geared to the readings and, conversely, the readings may be adjusted slightly in order to meet topics raised in discussion. The reading load is somewhat heavy but is enjoyable as well. Students should be forewarned that while the instructor wishes to promote a keen publicly understood ethical awareness it is also true that he entertains no illusions about the public demand for high ethical standards and practices in government. In many cases the public simply does not care about the subject. That is both a reality and a frightening reality. There are two major writing assignments of approximately eight pages, a short initial writing assignment of two to three pages and a short hour exam based on readings during the first two thirds of the class. Although Government, Ethics and the Public Will is a 5000 level, graduate course, undergraduates are welcome with instructor permission.

Grading:

Grades will be based upon class participation, evidence of completion of readings, completion of a narrative of ethical practice and submission of the narrative. The recommended length of the narrative is 10
pages, and it should link the student's personal ethical values to the ethical imperative contained in a formation document of the student's choice. In the last session of class, each student will present her or his narrative to another student. Final grades will be posted before mid term. You may contact me beforehand to get your grade.

Class Format:

An exploration of the linkage between each student's core ethical values and the formation documents that have shaped democracy in the United States, or in her or his homeland.

This course is a participatory seminar designed to engage students in study, thought, discussion and reflection on the foundations of ethical practice in public affairs.

In order to ensure that the course helps learners develop strategies for their public leadership, everyone develops his or own narrative of ethical practice throughout the course. In its final form, that narrative will be shared with another student and submitted in writing to the instructor.

Students will be assigned selected passages from our readings to be read to the class.

Textbooks:

https://bookstores.umn.edu/course-lookup/55350/1173

Instructor Supplied Information Last Updated:

21 February 2017

ClassInfo Links - Spring 2017 Public Affairs Classes Taught by Paul Stone

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