A course will be approved as carrying an E-designation only if the Ethical Decision-Making Committee determines that it meets the following requirement:

One of the primary objectives of the course is to provide students with the theoretical resources to guide them in making practical ethical decisions.

The course will meet this requirement only if the instructor (1) presents the students with at least one concrete case that requires ethical deliberation and decision, (2) presents one or more of the major sets of alternative theoretical approaches (listed below) that are available for arriving at such a decision, and (3) provides an opportunity for class discussion in which students are encouraged to wrestle with questions of value and right action.

· Principles vs. Consequences:  The Principle Approach, sometimes called the Deontological (Duty) Approach, holds that the correctness of an ethical decision is determined solely by its conformity to principles. Such a principle might be, “Do not murder.” Accordingly, any act that violates this principle would be unethical. The Consequences Approach, sometimes called the Utilitarian Approach, holds that the correctness of an ethical decision is determined solely by its consequences. For example, if more people benefit by a particular act than do not, then the act is ethical.

· Egoism vs. Altruism:  Egoism is the position taken in ethical decision-making according to which a decision is deemed ethical only if it is selfishly motivated. Altruism is the position taken in ethical decision-making according to which a decision is deemed ethical only if it is not selfishly motivated.

· Relativism vs. Absolutism:  Absolutism is the position taken in ethical decision-making according to which a decision is deemed ethical only if it conforms to ethical principles that are objective/universal in the sense of applying to everyone at any time and in any culture. Relativism is the position taken in ethical decision-making according to which a decision is deemed ethical only if it conforms to the interests of individual and/or local community/cultural preference.

(4) Every E-Course is required to include at least one essay question on a course exam (and/or at least one paper) that covers at least one set of theoretical approaches (A, B, or C above) to a particular ethical case, or cases, discussed in class.