The goal of this course is not to provide you with answers to questions of "right or wrong", "just or unjust", "fair or unfair"; nor is it to pass judgment on individuals or groups. Rather, we intend to have you develop

• an analytic understanding of the form and dynamics of public arena ethics and demands for accountability in the modern administrative state;
• an appreciation of ethical dilemmas facing those who engage in the public arena, whether as core actors (e.g., politicians, government officials), participants (e.g., actively engaged voters), or bystanders (e.g., apathetic or un-engaged citizens, residents);
• and some skills that might prove useful for fulfilling an ethical life in the public arena.

This is not a "how to" course, but rather a "how to think about" course designed to offer you useful perspectives and insights derived from a range of sources -- from the writings of philosophers who have addressed ethics through grand moral theories, to the reactions and thoughts of fellow course members as they reflect on various cases and views presented in Discussion Forums and online conference discussions.