Senate Document Number 0400F

Date of Senate Approval 11/09/00

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Statement of Faculty Senate Action:

APC Document 2 Establishing an IST Concentration "Ethics and Social Institutions"

Effective Date: Spring, 2000 (Contingent on Board of Governors Approval for Establishment of a Major in Interdisciplinary Studies)

Insert: on p. 112, before "First Year Experience" the following

ETHICS AND SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS
see Interdisciplinary Studies: Ethics and Social Institutions

Insert: on p. 133, before the section titled "Interdisciplinary Studies: Humanities (HUM)" the following

INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES: CONCENTRATION IN ETHICS AND SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS (ESI)

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"; and "The Individual and Society." A list of regularly-scheduled courses which fall into these thematic categories will be available from 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.

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 Interdisciplinary Studies with a Concentration in Ethics and Social Institutions
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. After a copy of the program and the ESI coordinator's approval are presented to the Director of Interdisciplinary Studies, the student completes a Declaration of Major Form that must be signed by the Director. Before declaring a major a student must satisfy the LANG 102 and Library Research Requirements.

101 Introduction to Ethics and Social Institutions (3)
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.

480 Internship in Ethics and Social Institutions (3)
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.

490 Readings and Research in Ethics and Social Institutions (3)
Advanced interdisciplinary readings and research on a topic of current interest in Ethics and Social Institutions. The research project serves as the student's senior capstone experience. On demand.

171-6, 271-6, 371-6, 471-6 Special Topics in Ethics and Social Institutions
Courses not otherwise included in the catalog listing but for which there may be special needs. May be repeated for credit as often as permitted and as subject matter changes. On demand.

Rationale:
The concentration in Ethics and Social Institutions provides a framework for a broad interdisciplinary study of social institutions which incorporates a philosophical, ethical component. While all students in ESI will be required to take a core of courses, the majority of their academic program will be individually designed, following a thematic concentration which best meets each student's educational and career objectives and is compatible with the ESI mission. The interdisciplinary nature of the concentration in Ethics and Social Institutions and the individual design of each student's program make Interdisciplinary Studies an appropriate home for this program.

Impact:
One faculty member will be appointed coordinator of the concentration in ESI, with no reassigned time. There will be 1-2 offerings of new courses each year (ESI 101 and ESI 490), staffed through a reduction of departmental teaching resources. The reduction in departmental teaching resources will be met through adjunct replacement, costing $2000-4000 each year. Secretarial and operating support will be met through the program of Interdisciplinary Studies.