Ethics, Value & Society, Undergraduate Certificate Undergraduate Certificate
The Undergraduate Certificate in Ethics, Values, and Society (CEVS) is an academic program for undergraduates to explore questions about ethics, politics, and social justice across topics and subject areas. We believe that ethics and values are an integral part of every major and discipline. In particular, the Certificate enables students to combine more practical and applied inquiries into ethical and social/political issues (perhaps pursued in the student's major) with grounding in the theoretical foundations of such inquiries.
The grounding in the main theories of ethics and political philosophy provided in the Foundational Philosophy Courses in the Certificate will add depth and richness to the student's studies in other, more applied and content-specific classes.
Certificate courses are organized around five themes with which most of the courses can be associated. Students are encouraged (not required) to select their Certificate courses with a thematic focus in mind:
- Institutions: This theme concerns questions of ethics and justice in political, economic, legal, educational, and other institutions. Issues regarding international justice and human rights are also covered by this theme.
- Culture and Identity: This theme explores and critiques conceptions of ethics and justice in relation to issues of culture and identity, including issues concerning class, race, gender, and sexual orientation.
- Environment: This theme covers the just distribution and use of environmental resources, as well as the ethical treatment of non-human animals.
- Health: This theme covers the just distribution and use of health resources, problems in bioethics, and related issues.
- Information Ethics: This theme examines ethical issues regarding media and the use of information technology.
Eligibility
The Undergraduate Certificate in Ethics, Values, and Society is meant to enhance a bachelor's degree. The certificate is available to all students seeking a bachelor's degree from UWM and to students who previously have received a bachelor's degree from UWM or any other accredited college or university. Students currently involved in baccalaureate studies who successfully complete the requirements of the program will be awarded the certificate at the time of graduation. Students who already have a bachelor’s degree will receive the certificate upon completion of the program requirements.
Program Type
Certificate
Program Format
On Campus
What is a certificate?
Certificates are very similar to a minor—they require about the same number of classes. The difference is that a minor includes classes that are all from the same subject area. For example, a history minor consists of all history classes. A certificate includes classes from multiple subject areas that address the theme of the certificate.
The Ethics, Values, & Society certificate draws on classes from philosophy, economics, geography, women’s & gender studies, Jewish Studies, sociology, comparative literature, and more.
Earning this certificate indicates that you have achieved subject matter depth and can enhance your resume. This certificate is ideal for many all majors since all professions make value judgments and apply ethics in their work. Business, psychology, political science, journalism, public health, and social work majors are particularly encouraged to explore the certificate.
Requirements
To obtain the certificate, the student must complete, with a minimum grade point average of 2.500, at least 18 credits (at least 6 courses) in approved CEVS courses, of which at least 12 credits must be in Letters and Science courses, with 6 of those at the 300 level or above. At least 12 credits must be earned in residence at UWM, and at least 9 of the credits taken in residence must be at the 300 level or above. No more than 12 credits from any one department may count toward the certificate. Courses for the certificate may not be taken on a credit/no credit bases. The following are required:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy Foundation | ||
| Ethics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introductory Ethics | ||
| Modern Ethical Theories | ||
| Great Moral Philosophers | ||
| Social/Political Philosophy | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Social and Political Philosophy | ||
| Political Philosophy | ||
| The Philosophy of Law | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select 9 credits (at least 3 courses) | 9 | |
| Capstone | ||
| Select 3 credits in a 500-600 level undergraduate seminar 1 | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
- 1
The capstone requirement is fulfilled through a 500-600 level undergraduate seminar focused on issues of ethics, value, and/or social justice. An appropriate seminar will be offered in the Philosophy Department at least once per academic year.
Electives
Select from among the following courses that focus substantially on themes of ethics, value, justice, and the like.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AFRIC 261 | Survey of African-American Political Philosophy | 3 |
| AFRIC 265 | Psychological Effects of Racism | 3 |
| AFRIC 329 | Economic Growth and Sustainable Development in Africa | 3 |
| AFRIC 341 | Black Politics and City Government | 3 |
| AFRIC 351 | Sexuality, Gender, and Health in Africa and the Diaspora | 3 |
| AFRIC 416 | Race and Social Justice in the United States | 3 |
| ANTHRO 440 | Medical Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTHRO 104 | Lifeways in Different Cultures: A Survey of World Societies | 3 |
| COMPLIT 230 | Literature and Society: (with appropriate subtitle) | 3 |
| COMPLIT 232 | Literature and Politics: (with appropriate subtitle) | 3 |
| COMPLIT 309 | Great Works of Modern Literature: (with appropriate subtitle) | 3 |
| COMPLIT 350 | Topics in Comparative Literature: (with appropriate subtitle) | 3 |
| COMPLIT 360 | Seminar in Literature and Cultural Experience: (with appropriate subtitle) | 3 |
| ECON 328 | Environmental Economics | 3 |
| GEOG 309 | Nationalities and Nations of the World | 3 |
| GEOG 464 | Environmental Problems | 3 |
| GEOG 564 | Urban Environmental Change and Social Justice | 3 |
| GLOBAL 361 | Environment and Sustainability | 3 |
| INFOST 120 | Information Technology Ethics | 3 |
| INFOST 661 | Information Ethics | 3 |
| ITALIAN 258 | Contemporary Italian Society and Culture | 3 |
| ITALIAN 357 | Topics in Italian Culture in Translation: (with appropriate subtitle) | 3 |
| JAMS 461 | Media Ethics | 3 |
| JEWISH 261 | Representing the Holocaust in Words and Images | 3 |
| JEWISH 321 | The Holocaust and the Politics of Memory | 3 |
| JEWISH 368 | Jewish and Christian Responses to the Holocaust | 3 |
| JEWISH 449 | Modern Jewish Thought | 3 |
| PHILOS 235 | Philosophical Aspects of Feminism | 3 |
| PHILOS 237 | Technology, Values, and Society | 3 |
| PHILOS 243 | Moral Problems: | 1 |
| PHILOS 244 | Ethical Issues in Health Care: | 3 |
| PHILOS 337 | Environmental Ethics | 3 |
| PHILOS 435 | Existentialism | 3 |
| PHILOS 542 | Punishment and Responsibility | 3 |
| PHILOS 562 | Special Topics in Ethics and Social and Political Philosophy: | 3 |
| SOCIOL 350 | Environmental Sociology | 3 |
| TRNSLTN 411 | Ethics in Translation and Interpreting | 3 |
| WGS 200 | Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies: A Social Science Perspective | 3 |
| WGS 201 | Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies: A Humanities Perspective | 3 |
| WGS 301 | Queer Theory | 3 |
| WGS 302 | Gendered Bodies: | 3 |
| WGS 303 | Feminist Activism and Movements: | 3 |
| WGS 401 | Global Feminisms | 3 |
| WGS 410 | Feminist Theory | 3 |
Certificate advising is provided by faculty member and department chair Associate Professor William Bristow. Currently enrolled UWM students can contact them with questions or proceed directly to the “Declare Certificate” button on this page.
Prospective students not yet enrolled at UWM can contact the college admissions office at (414) 229-7711 or let-sci@uwm.edu.