Ethics Minor

Ethics Minor

This minor is available to students in any major.

Ethics Minor Requirements

Students are required to complete a total of 16 credit hours, including 20 hours of service learning.

PHI 241Ethics: Traditions in Moral Reasoning3
Ethics Electives (choose any four of the following):12
CLS 207
Mythology and Literature
PHI 242
Ethical Issues in Business
PHI 243
Bio-Medical Ethics
PHI 244
Environmental Ethics
PHI 245
Animal Ethics
PHI 246
Ethics of Technology
PHI 252
Happiness, Virtue and the Good Life
RST 340
Moral Issues Today
RST 345
Bio-Moral Problems
RST 347
Ecotheology
PHI 258Minor Service (Ethics)0
PHI 451AEthics Thesis1
Total Credits16

Minors are an important part of the undergraduate curriculum.  If students declare a minor by sophomore year, they can usually complete it in a timely manner.  Students should work with their advisor to determine if it is possible that the minor can be completed by graduation.  

To receive a minor, a student must complete at least 9 credit hours of coursework distinct from their major(s) and from other minors, and students must complete more than 50% of the coursework required for the minor at Canisius. Please note that “ancillary/supporting” courses required for a major may still count as distinct courses as long as the remaining coursework still meets the 30 credit-hours required for a major. For more information about minor policies, please see the Declaring Majors and Minors page in the catalog.

Learning Goals and Objectives

Student Learning Goal 1

Students will demonstrate analysis of and reflection upon concerns of ethics.  

Students will:

  • Objective A: Show competence and expertise in some concerns of ethics.

  • Objective B: Demonstrate knowledge of the relevant theories of ethics and the ability to critically analyze and reflect on these theories.
  • Objective C: Understand and reflect on the experience of some concerns of ethics.

Student Learning Goal 2

Students will be able to thoughtfully apply moral principles to cultivate their characters and to work towards realizing a more just world.

Students will:

  • Objective A: Recognize and analyze some contemporary concerns where ethics is at stake (such as environmental racism, or the abortion debate) and propose thoughtful solutions or approaches to these issues. 
  • Objective B: Engage on a personal level some contemporary concerns where ethics is at stake.