Interdisciplinary Approach to Ethics
UNC Asheville's Ethics and Social Institutions Program is designed to enable students to examine and evaluate social issues from interdisciplinary perspectives. Participating students will learn about economic, political and cultural institutions and the relationships between them. By examining markets, governments and community organizations, students will learn about decision-making processes and be able to determine their ethical implications and the outcomes of social choice.
The interdisciplinary concentration in Ethics and Social Institutions can lead to careers or advanced study in law, business, and government, or more specialized academic disciplines at the graduate level.
What You'll Learn
Students in UNC Asheville's Ethics and Social Institutions Program (ESI), under the guidance of the director of interdisciplinary studies, design their own individualized course of study by drawing on many disciplines including but not limited to economics, philosophy, political science, management, mass communication, psychology and sociology.
This personalized program allows each student to develop a course of study consistent with individual interests, while at the same time, investigating a specific set of social/political institutions. Thematic possibilities could include:
- Social/Political Ethics
- Ethics, Society, and the Law
- Political and Social Decision-making
- Globalization and the Individual
- International Political Economy
- Interaction of Societies
- The Individual and Society
- Economic Power in American Society
The requirements for the B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Ethics and Social Institutions include an introductory course - ESI 101 and PHIL 200 (Introduction to Ethical Theories) - as well as courses in social science research methods, ESI 490 (Senior Research in Ethics and Social Institutions), and choices from many elective courses.
Contact Information
Melissa Burchard
Professor of Philosophy
Director of Ethics and Social Institutions
236 Whitesides Hall
mburchar@unca.edu
828-232-2990
Who We Are
Our world is more connected now than it’s ever been, and UNC Asheville’s Interdisciplinary Studies Program seeks to understand and explain the challenging issues and questions confronting us today in our globalized world. To understand the complex mix of cultural, economic, and political forces that shape our worldwide community, interdisciplinary studies majors can design their own curriculum with courses from political science, economics, mass communication, philosophy, and more.
What You’ll Learn
Through each major and minor concentration, interdisciplinary studies students learn how to solve problems facing contemporary societies on local and global levels, preparing them for careers in government, business, law, humanitarian organizations, journalism, the arts, teaching, and more. Hands-on learning is a highlight of our program, and students can delve into a topic they’re passionate about through undergraduate research and study abroad.
Interdisciplinary Studies has debuted a NEW 3-Year Degree Program
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For those interested in pursuing an International Studies major with an Asian Studies minor, on an accelerated timeline: Click here to learn more, or contact us with your questions about our NEW 3-Year Degree Program.
Think Globally
UNC Asheville’s International Studies Program provides students with a deeper knowledge of and appreciation for the diverse cultures, economies and politics of the world. International studies attracts students seeking careers in a number of fields, such as government, business, environmental studies, law, journalism and teaching. It provides an excellent background for those interested in working for government agencies, non-governmental organizations such as the United Nations, and private voluntary and humanitarian organizations.
What You’ll Learn
International studies at UNC Asheville emphasizes global awareness and global citizenship as essential aspects of a liberal arts education. Students select from many courses and disciplines and engage in undergraduate research and scholarship, as well as in service learning both locally and internationally.
This interdisciplinary approach is designed to provide students with a broad range of ideas and intellectual skills to analyze and respond to the diverse and complex mix of cultural, economic, and political forces that shape the global community. The International Studies Program provides students with an interdisciplinary understanding of changing dynamics and forces that transcend national and regional boundaries.
Concentration
Students can seek a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in International Studies. Requirements include introductory courses such as Intro to Africana Studies or Principles of International Relations, and related coursework chosen from classes such as Intermediate Chinese I, International Law, Environmental Ethics, and Gender and Development in South Asia.
Minor
The minor in International Studies allows students to pursue a self-designed interdisciplinary and comparative study of world affairs. Requirements include courses in a modern foreign language, introductory courses in cultural anthropology, economic globalization, world civilizations and principles of international relations.
UNC Asheville’s Arts Management and Entrepreneurship B.A. concentration or minor is designed for students seeking a career in the arts who also want to develop skills in management, legal and ethical practices, marketing, self-promotion, and entrepreneurship. Students will also learn best practices in arts leadership and advocacy so they can make a difference in their communities.
Concentration
Students can seek a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Arts Management and Entrepreneurship. Requirements include a seminar course, an internship or community engaged undergraduate research project, and courses with an arts emphasis.
Minor Requirements
Students are required to complete courses in principles of accounting, arts and ideas, marketing principles, and entrepreneurship.
Students can choose from additional elective courses that best suit their fields of study and work, like Museum Studies, Stage Management, Professional Writing, Music Industry and Business, Digital Design Principles, or courses in mass media, economics and management.
Who We Are
UNC Asheville’s Languages and Literatures Department offers a Bachelor of Arts in Languages and Literatures with a concentration in Spanish.
Through the study of language, culture, and literature, students examine the human experience as an individual and in relation to their local and global community as they prepare for a career. The department encourages travel and study abroad, and faculty are either native speakers of the language they teach or have extensive experience abroad. Our small classes make it easy for students to connect with professors and receive personalized instruction.
What You’ll Learn
We offer a concentration and minor in Spanish. UNC Asheville already has exchange relationships and associations with universities and cultural institutions in several countries around the world — Colombia, Cuba, and Spain, among others, and we encourage our students to study abroad. Students also actively participate in our language clubs, service-learning internships, and undergraduate research.
Who We Are
UNC Asheville’s Languages and Literatures Department offers a Bachelor of Arts in Languages and Literatures with a concentration in German.
Through the study of language, culture, and literature, students examine the human experience as an individual and in relation to their local and global community as they prepare for a career. The department encourages travel and study abroad, and faculty are either native speakers of the language they teach or have extensive experience abroad. Our small classes make it easy for students to connect with professors and receive personalized instruction.
What You’ll Learn
We offer a concentration and minor in German. UNC Asheville already has exchange relationships and associations with universities and cultural institutions in several countries around the world, including in Germany, and we encourage our students to study abroad. Students also actively participate in our language clubs, service-learning internships, and undergraduate research.
Who We Are
UNC Asheville’s Languages and Literatures Department offers a Bachelor of Arts in Languages and Literatures with a concentration in French.
Through the study of French language, culture, and literature, students examine the human experience as an individual and in relation to their local and global community as they prepare for a career. The department encourages travel and study abroad, and faculty are either native speakers of the language they teach or have extensive experience abroad. Our small classes make it easy for students to connect with professors and receive personalized instruction.
What You’ll Learn
We offer a concentration and minor in French. UNC Asheville already has exchange relationships and associations with universities and cultural institutions in France, and we encourage our students to study abroad. Students also actively participate in our language clubs, service-learning internships, and undergraduate research.
