Ethics Initiatives
Socrates Cafe - Originated by Christopher Phillips, Socrates Cafe brings together individuals of all ages and backgrounds to discover and learn from each other in the manner of the Greek philosopher for which the program is named. Once a month a session is held with a different topic and facilitated by a faculty and/or staff member of the university. (see Calendar of Activities)
Ethics Boot Camp - This day and half session is designed to begin dialogue about what "ethics" means at our University, to explore the language of ethics and morals thus consolidating our grasp of ethical concepts, to examine how the process of moral reasoning contributes to good decision making skills and to discuss how ethics can be integrated into classroom discussions and provide opportunities for teachable moments.
Faculty Conversation Series - dialogues with community members on campus ethics and other related issues
Freshman Conversation Series - Co-sponsor of this great opportunity for students to meet the President, hear what he has to say as well
Human Rights Association - The Chair advises the Human Rights Association which nurtures student leaders in advancing an understanding of and commitment to issues of sustainability, human rights, and social justice at home and abroad. HRA has achieved impressive results from re-cycling initiatives, fair trade product sales, forums on capital punishment, genocide, and other pressing concerns facing our world.
Learning Communities - In higher education, curricular communities are classes that are linked or clustered during an academic term, often around an interdisciplinary theme, and enroll a common cohort of students. A variety of approaches are used to build these communities. The Community at SNHU began in the aftermath of 9/11, now more than 158 faculty and students take part in discussions about critical issues. The Ethics Chair invited, hosted and facilitated a dinner dialogue on ethical issues related to the summer reading, Jim Wooten’s We Are All the Same.
Socrates Cafe - A concept that has taken off around the world. Originated by Christopher Phillips, the founder and director of the Society for Philosophical Inquiry, Socrates Cafe brings together individuals of all ages and backgrounds to discover and learn from each other in the manner of the Greek philosopher for which the program is named.
The Ethics Chair sponsored, coordinated and presented at a dinner program for students in the Learning Communities. The theme related to the ethical issues drawn from the University’s common book reading of Jim Wooten’s “We Are All the Same.”
University Dinner Dialogues Series - Theme: "Responsibility" - In the aftermath of 9/11, The Ethics Chair joined with several other university offices to sponsor a series of dinner dialogues to explore critical ethical issues in key areas of our lives. Program topics have addressed topics such as respecting diversity and personal and social responsibility.
Curriculum Initiatives
Academic Integrity – Recognizing that any ethics initiatives must reflect the University community's own practice of ethics, the Chair, with faculty support, proposed and Integrity Initiative which has been accepted and adopted by the University. This initiative is directed by Mark Cheathem, Assistant Professor of History. The goal of the Academic Initiative is to gather faculty and students from across the University with a combined goal of establishing an Honor Code. Their mandate is to research, analyze, select key principles from available literature; meet with those who have had success in adopting honor codes at other institutions, and then shape guidelines of honor that will underpin of an SNHU culture of integrity.
Core Curriculum – The Ethics Chair both guides and informs the content and delivery of Ethics courses included in the curricula of all the Schools within SNHU. The Chair has also assisted in the creation of six new courses, both undergraduate and graduate, as well as an Honors course for the academic integrity initiative.
Faculty Conversation Series - This initiative is held throughout the fall and spring. It is an opportunity for dialogue amongst administrators, faculty as well as staff and has led to the renewing of our Honor Code and other initiatives throughout the community.
Freshman Seminar Program - Throughout the four years, the Chair has worked closely with instructors in the Freshman Seminar Program, including the initiative for instituting a summer common reading for all incoming students. The integration of ethics components and presentations on ethics to freshman classes have been a part of each year's programming. Currently, the freshman seminar is being re-shaped to better deliver the kind of introduction to SNHU what will reflect university culture.
Capstone Ethics Course for BA/BS major to be taught, Fall 2006 at SNHU Portsmouth
Faculty Advisory Board Luncheon Series – discussion
New Hampshire Humanities Council – “Religion in Public Life”
Global Citizens Circle/SNHU (link)
“Ethics Across the Community” - Proposal of grants with Cathy LaForge, Office of Institutional Advancement
Institute of Community and Economic Development – Committee
Summer Reading Initiative – “We Are All the Same” author Jim Wooten
Conference – Atlanta, Georgia: “Illuminating Ethical Leadership: Faculty and Administrative Roles”
Meetings with Dr. Annabel Beerel regarding Business Ethics and sabbatical replacement duties
Met with Freshman Experience (FEX) Instructors on ways to integrate summer reading into the classroom
Supported and assisted in proposal and passing of Graduate Forensics Accounting Certificate with the School of Business
Presentations on South Africa to classes and groups on campus
Ongoing Courses
During the Fall 2004and 2005, presented in a variety of classes: Journalism, Organizational Leadership, Middle Mannagement, FEX, Leadership Seminar and Hospitality.
Freshman Experience Seminar (FEX) - All freshmen take a course with the theme of ethics and college student life
Freshman Writing incorporating ethical issues and dilemmas
Course for 2005-2006
Three-Year Degree Program – “Introduction to Philosophy: Making Age-old Wisdom New Again for Emerging Leaders” (Add Syllabi)
Leadership and Ethics Course (Syllabi)
Courses for 2004-2005
Introduction to Western Philosophy - to three year seniors
Syllabus (PDF 31 kb)
Leadership and Ethics (OL675)
Syllabus and Blackboard Assignments (PDF 54 kb)
Ethics Curriculum Survey 2003 (PDF 93 kb)
Courses for 2003-2004
World Ethics - Honors 201
Syllabus (PDF 87 kb)
Leadership and Ethics - Graduate Seminar
Syllabus (PDF 154 kb)
Course for 2002-2003
Heroics and Hubris: Leadership Lessons from World Classics
Syllabus (PDF 87 kb)