Topic: Ethics in Action: UN's Sustainable Development Goals

Catalog description

This learning community combines Environmental Ethics ( PHI 223 ) and Public Speaking courses ( COM 200 ) to explore, the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are a shared, global blueprint and call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. These concrete and achievable goals recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with global strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth - all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests. The 17 SDGs will be examined through both an ethical and solutions-oriented lens. From an environmental ethics viewpoint, students will examine how philosophers and religious thinkers have broached the question of the proper relationship between nature and civilization. Through readings from primary sources, this class will study how various thinkers approach the question of the value of nature and of the possibility and desirability of extending moral consideration to the natural world. The readings and writing assignments will help frame class discussions and assist in answering the perennial question: Is there a proper relationship between humans and nature? From a public speaking perspective, in addition to expanding their knowledge of important peace, justice, sustainability and ethical issues, students will learn how to: Develop and polish their presentation skills; compose meaningful speeches; adapt messages to particular situations and audiences; conduct responsible research; strengthen their creativity; and develop critical and active listening skills.