Ethics Articles

Education Ethics

It's Not About You

Center executive director addresses the 2013 graduates of University of Portland.
Kirk Hanson

Insta-Interruption

Beth and Katie, two friends, go out to lunch. During their get-together, they are constantly interrupted by each other's social media use.
Chloe Wilson

A Tale of Two Cheaters

Two college students at the same school face very different consequences for plagiarizing. Is this fair?
Chloe Wilson

Time is of the Essence

Stephanie, a college student, must make a difficult decision about whether or not to be honest with a future employer in order to be hired.
Chloe Wilson

Can You Keep a Secret?

Scott, an SCU student, discovers an entry about him on a Facebook "confessions" page. He tries to decide if sites like this are funny or simply hurtful.
Chloe Wilson

Catholic School Standards and Character Education

Lorraine Ozar, director of the Center for Catholic School Effectiveness, outlines the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Schools
Miriam Schulman

Picking Up the Slack

Greg, a college senior, struggles to decide whether or not he should give an apathetic groupmate an honest evaluation.
Chloe Wilson

Do Honor Codes Work?

Gary Pavela, director of academic integrity at Syracuse University, explores the evidence.
Miriam Schulman

Forgive and Forget

Two college students could be deeply affected by the passing of a new student loan forgiveness act, the FSSA.
Chloe Wilson

Character Education in Bering Straits

Bering Straits School District in Alaska uses the Center's Character Based Literacy Curriculum
Leah Stanek

Caught in the Middle

Ben sees his friend, Tyler, cheating on his girlfriend. He feels caught in the middle.. What should he do?
Chloe Wilson

Sister, Can You Spare a Dime?

College students struggle with a decision about how to help a man who is homeless.
Miriam Schulman

It Would Be an Honor

Does your school have an Honor Code? Do you think it works? Why or why not?
Chloe Wilson

Boys Will Be Boys

A college student in a relationship is challenged by her significant other's use of pornography.
Chloe Wilson

Members Only

Two students at UC Hastings disagree about the school's basis for club funding. Based on the Supreme Court case "Christian Legal Society v. Martinez."
Chloe Wilson

Students Rule the School

Hackworth Fellow Satre-Meloy discusses the creation of an honor code at Santa Clara University.
Aven Sartre-Meloy

Rock the Vote

A college student tries to decide if one moral issue is enough to prevent her from voting for a political candidate.
Chloe Wilson

The Pre-Game

Two college students, Ari and Daniel, face difficult decisions about what to do on a night out. An interactive video illustrates the possible outcomes!
Miriam Schulman

Claustrophobic

A college freshman, Derek, tries to figure out how to deal with a clingy roommate.
Chloe Wilson

Rushing Into Things

Katie, a college freshman, decides whether or not to rush for a sorority.
Chloe Wilson

Five Ethical Choices You Will Need to Make in College

Based on news stories of the past year, ethical issues that students will need to face
Miriam Schulman

Passion or Practicality?

Mark must decide whether to please his parents and be relieved of his tuition costs or follow his passions and accrue substantial debt.
Chloe Wilson

Who Should Pay for College?

Are parents or students responsible for college costs?
Miriam Schulman

How Ethics Can Help You Land a Job

Hiring managers look for respect, responsibility, honesty
Miriam Schulman

When Someone You Care About Is Depressed

Ethical duties of friends toward the mentally ill.
Miriam Schulman

Petty Theft

A college student sees her best friend stealing from her roommate, and is forced to make a difficult decision.
Chloe Wilson

Once a Cheater...

An undergrad has to decide if he can still trust his friend when he sees the friend cheating in class.
Jake Teeny

Cheat Sheet

Shelby must decide whether to report to her professor that one of her friends was cheating on a curved exam.
Jake Teeny

Tyler Clementi Case - What Punishment Is Justifiable?

Dharun Ravi has been convicted of invasion of privacy, bias intimidation, witness tampering, and hindering arrest. What should be his punishment?
Jake Teeny

Protesting Commencement

A student contemplates the most ethical way to register objections to the University's choice of commencement speaker.
Jacob Teeny

The Dream Act

Should those who reside in the U.S. illegally still be allowed to attain a U.S. education and what constitutes this eligibility?
Ethics Center Media

Paying For College ? Who Should Take Responsibility?

Should a college student's parents be burdened with paying expensive college tuition?
Jake Teeny

Sexual Assault on College Campuses

A review of effective sexual assault policies with Michael McFarland, former president of College of the Holy Cross
Miriam Schulman

A Good Sport? Do College Athletics Build Character

Nathan seems to have different values on and off the basketball court in this case study.
Jake Teeny

Do Sports Build Character? (video)

Panel discussion on the role of sports in moral formation.
Matthew Savage, Christopher Kulp, and Zoe Kranzler

Making the Grade

Should Alejandro take an easy A or a challenging course in his major?
Miriam Schulman

Resume Inflation

Should a graduating senior stretch the truth on her resume?
Jake Teeny

Body Image in Sports: What No One Seems to be Talking About

The problem of eating disorders for college athletes
Matt Savage

Down So Long: Helping a Friend With Depression

Megan struggles to deal with her friend and college roommate's depression.
Jake Teeny

Pay Attention: Using Study Drugs

Offered some Adderall by a friend with a prescription, a freshman weighs whether using study drugs is the right thing to do.
Jake Teeny

Sleeping Around

A case examining the ethics of casual sex
Jake Teeny

The First Report

A college president must decide how to respond to a report of a faculty member's sexual misconduct
Kirk O. Hanson

Four Ethical Questions You Should Ask Yourself About Sex

Issues for college students to consider about the place of sex in their lives
Miriam Schulman

The Value of Giving

After all her Christmas gifts are purchased, Jessica wonders whether to get something for herself or give the rest of her money to charity.
Jake Teeny

A Recycling Dilemma

Steve and his housemates have thrown a big party. When he gets up the next morning, he finds that his friends have bagged up all the trash without recycling. What should he do?
Callie Tepper, Jared Pizzo, Andrw Kells, Kyle Dand

Sexting

Mary's boyfriend asks her to text him a nude photo of herself. Is there anything wrong with that?
Jacob Teeny

Should College Athletes Be Paid? (Case Study)

Jordan, who plays football for a big university, is having trouble making ends meet. Should he be compensated for the revenue he helps generate for his university?
Jacob Teeny

Should College Athletes Be Paid? Savage on Sports Blog

Student athlete and blogger Matt Savage reflects on whether players should receive pay or benefits beyond tuition, room, and board.
Matt Savage

The Drinking Age

David, a freshman, is re-evaluating his previous decision not to drink until he turns 21.
Jake Teeny

Let Me See Your Grades

Juliana's parents expect her to show them her grades in college. Isn't it time for them to treat her as an adult?
Rebecca Bivona-Gutadauro

Why Am I at College?

An incoming freshman questions whether she is ready for college in this video case.

Oh, the Cleaners Will Get That

Whose responsibility is it to keep college common areas clean--the students who use them or the custodial staff?
Rebecca Bivona-Guttadauro

The Dealer in the Next Room

A student must decide what to do when he realizes his roommate is dealing drugs from their apartment.
Rebecca Bivona-Guttadauro

I Want to Remain a Virgin

Katherine's boyfriend Max wants to express their growing love for each other sexually. Katherine has valued her virginity. What should she do?
Rebecca Bivona-Guttadauro

Facebook Gossip or Cyberbullying

When Paige expresses her annoyance at her roommate in her Facebook status, is she cyberbullying?
Miriam Schulman

Living Situation

Should Mo decide to live in an ethnically grouped dorm building?
Rebecca Bivona-Guttadauro

Dangerous Curves: A Case on Cheating

Francesca sees friends cheating on a test, where the grades will be curved. Should she tell?
Rebecca Bivona-Guttadauro

Rush

A look at the ethical questions in rushing a fraternity
Rebecca Bivona-Guttadauro

Should I Call the EMTs?

A student must decide whether to call for help when a friend passes out from drinking.
Rebecca Bivona-Guttadauro

Major Decision

Do parents have the right to decide on their child's college major?
Rebecca Bivona-Guttadauro

Sexiled

Freshmen Brad and Wilson have to work out a fair way to share their room.
Rebecca Bivona-Guttadauro

Party!

A pre-law student tries to balance his academic and social life.
Rebecca Bivona-Guttadauro

Navigating the Minefield of Social Media

Sr. Mary Angela Shaughnessy explores cyberbullying, friending, and other social media topics for teachers.
Miriam Schulman

The Slowdown Hits Home

When her family's financial situation changes, Kayla must decide whether to go to her first-choice, expensive college and allow her parents to dip into their retirement.
Rebecca Bivona Guttadauro

10 Milligrams (video)

Prize winning video on the use of study drugs on college campuses. From The Big Q contest for films on student ethics
Nicole Grazioli, Tara Khalilnaji, Jen LaPonte

Adderall=Cheating?

The ethics of taking study drugs. Entry in The Big Q contest for films on student ethics
Robyn Louie

Media's Effects on Body Image (video)

Commercials, movies, impact body image for students. Entry in The Big Q contest for films on student ethics
Kathryn Klein, Caitlin Whalen, Kristina Woodcock

Student Debt and the Importance of College: An Ethics Case

A student reflects on whether taking out a tuition loan is responsible
Meghan Skarzynski

Hook-Up Culture (video)

A look into how, as a result of changing technology, the world of dating has become more and more informal, leading to the hook-up culture we know today that is perpetuated by frequent drinking on and off campus.
Sara Phillips, Melissa Martin, Jenny Nicholson, Ke

Exposed! (video)

An interesting take on the implications of revealing personal information online.
Sara Phillips, Misa Mascovich, Melissa Martin

Top Ten Ethical Issues for College Freshmen

From "Why Am I Here?" to "What About Cheating?" a list of typical ethical dilemmas for new students.
Miriam Schulman

World of Warren

Warren is so involved in WoW that he rarely leaves his computer except to go to class. Is there anything ethically wrong with what he's doing?
Miriam Schulman

Job Search Dilemma

A job applicant is offered a job that is not his first choice. Should he take it and continue looking?
Rebecca Bivona-Guttadauro

I Can't Get a C

A pre-med student considers copying the homework in Art History.
Miriam Schulman

Group Project

One member of a group project team is failing to carry her weight. What is the fair way to deal with members who don't do their fair share?
Miriam Schulman

Not Hungry

A college student must decide what to do when her roommate shows signs of having anorexia.
Rebecca Bivona-Guttadauro

Theme Party

A "Fresh off the Boat" party pokes fun at Asians.

Friends With Benefits

When alcohol and sex mix, two students wake up angry. Who is responsible?
Rebecca Bivona-Guttadauro

Poster Wars: When Is Speech Offensive?

Dorm floormates come into conflict over a political poster.
Rebecca Bivona-Guttadauro

Diane Ravitch Discusses Dangers of Corporate Education Reform

Education historian and policy analyst Diane Ravitch looks at charter schools, merit pay, and other proposals for education reform.
Miriam Schulman

What Works to Stop Bullying

Practical steps for schools
Steve Johnson

Importance of a CEO Who Cares

Kirk O. Hanson, Executive Director of the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University and University Professor of Organizations and Society, shares his observations about Leadership and Corporate Governance.
Kirk O. Hanson

Law and the Catholic School

Review of a talk on Catholic schools and the law by Mary Angela Shaughnessy, SCN, presented at the 2010 Catholic Principals Institute
Miriam Schulman

Tomando una decision etica

Metodologia para la toma decisiones eticas del Centro de Eticas Aplicadas Markkula.

Associated Student Government Code of Ethics and Values

Basic standards of ethical behavior for personal and professional life signed by all members of the SCU student government
Daniel Solomon

Medical Amnesty and Responsibility

Three questions for campuses considering a medical amnesty policy
Kari Kjos

Social Justice

Reflection questions address, "What do we mean when we talk about social justice?"
Noelle Lopez

Social Justice as a Moral Concept

Hackworth Fellow Noelle Lopez reflects on the place of social justice in the SCU experience and the lack of a shared understanding about what the term means.
Noelle Lopez

Student Choices: My Poster, My Identity

A political poster creates conflicts on a dorm floor.
Rebecca Fox-Bivona

Student Choices: My Homework or Our Homework

When does collaboration become cheating?
Rebecca Fox-Bivona

Student Choices: What Will Sex Mean?

Katherine wants to remain a virgin.
Rebecca Fox-Bivona

The Duties of Friendship

A student must decide whether to call the EMTs when her friend passes out after drinking
Rebecca Fox-Bivona

Competing Identities

A poster on a student's dorm room door causes controversy.
Rebecca Fox-Bivona

Finals Week: What to do about stimulants?

A case exploring whether taking drugs like Adderall to improve cognitive performance is simply a form of enhancement or a form of cheating.
Rebecca Fox-Bivona

When Do I Friend?

Do the same rules apply to Facebook friends and "real-world" friends?
Noelle Lopez

Ethics Camp 2008

Summer workshops for educators show how to integrate ethics into the curriculum

Setting a Moral Vision for Academe

PowerPoint presentation on bridging the "isought" divide in international education
Lester Goodchild

Academic Freedom and Religious Freedom

An exploration of academic freedom in the religious university and religious freedom in the public university.
Robert M. O'Neil

Orange County Character-Based Literacy Program Wins Award

CBL receives California County Boards of Education 2007 Exemplary Program Award

Character in the Catholic Schools

The Center launches a new national character education curriculum for Catholic schools.

Character Education for Churches

Build. Plant. Grow. provides intergenerational lessons on character based on readings from the Lectionary and children's literature.

Teaching Ethics

SCU Philosophy Professor William Prior discusses moral cultivation.

Dealing With Bullies

Fighting back: Is it right and does it work?
Miriam Schulman

Students Left Behind: Is It Ever Okay to Give up on a Child?

From the 2005-06 National Ethics Agenda, a look at what we owe children who are expelled from school.
Ethics Center Emerging Issues Group

Is Tolerance Enough: Catholic Universities and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Issues

Comments from an Ethics at Noon presentation.
Michael J. Meyer, Michael Zampelli, S.J.

Success Camp: A Character Education Program for Youngsters in Foster Care

Language arts and "survival skills" form the core of a three-day workshop for youngsters in the child welfare system.

Not Just About the Money

Business students defy selfish, cash-hungry stereotypes, according to SCU senior and Hackworth Fellow Carmen Wahlgren.
Carmen Wahlgren

Character Education Programs Expand

New programs and expansions of existing programs in Character Education.
Markkula Center for Applied Ethics

Internet Ethics: An exploration of how students use the Web for research

Miriam Schulman examines the way students use the Web for internet research.
Miriam Schulman

Education in Plato's Republic

This paper examines the two explicit accounts of education in Plato's Republic, and analyzes them in relation to Socrates' own pedagogical method, thereby unveiling the ideals of Socratic education.
Ariel Dillon

Talking to Your Teen

This article highlight suggestions on how to open the lines of communication between parents and teenagers.
Steve Johnson, S.M.

Responsibility for Multicultural Education: An Ethics of Teaching and Learning

This article looks at the benefits of a multicultural education and how it can prepare students for the diverse world in which they will live and work.
Marilyn Fernandez and Marilyn Edelstein

Setting Limits: TV-Watching Is Not a Constitutional Right

What are the important, growth-producing activities that your child should be engaged in that aren't entertainment or media consumption, and how can you encourage these?
Steve Johnson, S.M.

Cheating is not the problem

Cheating is not the problem but the symptom of a larger failure in the way we are raising our children.
Steve Johnson, S.M.

Defining the Institution's Values: Four questions to guide discussions of gift acceptance

Gift acceptance policies for universities.
Kirk O. Hanson

Ethics of Ethical Advising: Confessions of an Ethical Advisor

Member of Geron Corp.'s ethics adivsory board discusses the delights and dilemmas of her role.
Karen Lebacqz

Nation of Cheaters

A look at the rise in cheating in America.
Kirk O. Hanson

Building Character

A description of the character education program at Santa Clara County's Juvenile Hall school.
Miriam Schulman

Teaching Values in School

The Center's director of character education describes Character-Based Literacy and other approaches to integrating ethics into the curriculum.
An Interview with Steve Johnson, S.M.

Six Es of Character Education

Example, emotions, experiences, explanation, ethos, and expectations for excellence.
Kevin Ryan

Challenge Problem

Assignments that invite cheating.
Miriam Schulman

When Inappropriate Behavior is Just Plain Wrong

An expert on moral development advocates straight talk when children do something wrong.
William Damon

Why Should We Care About Racial Inequlity Per Se ?

Is a color-blind approach to racial issues the best route to equality?
Glenn Loury

Tough Talk

Talking to children about ethics and sex.
Miriam Schulman

An Education in Ethics

Students often know the right thing to do. How can schools help them to do it?
Steve Johnson, S.M.

Lesson in Perspective

A sample character education lesson using John Scieszka's The True Story of the Three Little Pigs!
Steve Johnson, S.M.

Like a Bear Robbed of Her Cubs: Compassion

Compassion evokes not only tenderness but also the will to right wrongs.
Stephen A. Privett, S.J.

Cheating Themselves

A discussion of why students cheat and what academicians can do to discourage it.
Miriam Schulman

Teaching Ethics and Teaching Engineering-Some Parallels

This paper looks at the problem of ethical dilemmas, teaching engineering design, and the implications which arise from the teaching of engineering and the teaching of ethics.
Tim Healy

May the Best Man or Woman Win

Establishing fair criteria for college admission.
Miriam Schulman

Affirmative Action or Negative Action

A different way to frame the debate over race-based preference.
Miriam Schulman

Moral Literacy: The Virtue of the Book of Virtues

An historical look at the moral power of literature.
Miriam Schulman

Racism

Molly has just been accepted at Stanford University and calls her friend Terri to tell her the good news. Terri assumes that Molly was accepted because of her race.
A Student Scenario

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

What are the ethical questions involved when an innocent prank turns into academic cheating?
Thomas Shanks

Parental Relations

Jeff is questioned by his mother about his recent behavior. Has one of them overstepped his or her boundaries?
Student Scenario

Integrity

A student buys a paper from an Internet site.
Student Scenario

Homophobia

A student discussion of prejudice and homosexuality.
Student Scenario

Beaten Track

A dialogue on ethics and ability tracking in schools.
Shannon Peters Talbott

Date Rape

Some students are at a party, drinking and watching movies. One of the students finds herself being taken advantage of.
A Student Scenario

Vandalism

Students debate a revenge act of vandalism.
A Student Scenario

Medical Amnesty

Podcast of a discussion on university Good Samaritan policies related to alcohol consumption
Emerging Issues Group