The Ethics Table
In the mid-1990s, Bob Lawry from the School of Law convened a summer ethics institute that allowed CWRU faculty to explore incorporating ethics into their classes. Supported by the Kent H. Smith Charitable Trust, we would like to renew this institute under a revised format –and to open the institute to staff leading relevant extra-curricular programs.
We seek 12-16 faculty or staff who wish to explore how to implement ethics or practical ethical experience into a class or an undergraduate program. The group will meet in the week before Fall orientation for a few hours a day, once a month for a long dinner at a different venue around Cleveland each time, and then sum up with a two day conference and service event in mid to late May, open to the wider community.
The only obligations are to attend a background week of three-hour daily seminars August 15th-19th, 75% of the monthly dinners on the designated Wednesday night, and to participate in the closing findings/creations two day workshop in mid to late May 2012. Successful applicants will receive $1000 in discretionary funds, a monthly meal with the group out in Cleveland, and books. The opening week’s sessions will also include food, and the closing conference will include some celebration.
Who
Any CWRU faculty member or instructor, or any staff member who leads an undergraduate student program which could include ethics or ethical experience explicitly. Preferences will be given to those who show a likelihood of contributing their ethics learning to campus for a number of years. The planned faculty/staff ratio is roughly 3/1, although no rigid line will be drawn.
What
A group of people interested in exploring how to incorporate ethics or ethical experience into their classes or undergraduate programs. An introductory week going back to school to learn about ethics and each other’s work. A monthly dinner around Cleveland at an interesting new place each time out in the community. A concluding two day workshop presenting our work to each other and to the community, complete with half a day of service work. Life-long membership in the Ethics Table.
When
August 15th-19th, 10 AM – 1 PM (lunch included); a monthly dinner on a Wednesday TBD, roughly from 6:30-9. A two day conference in mid to late May 2012.
Why
It is helpful to learn from each other, to have a space and a time to focus on some growing edge of our learning, to be out in the community eating and talking together. It is helpful to the mission of CWRU to foster an ethos where undergraduates develop their ethical sensibilities.
How
By Friday, May 27th, send in a one-page, single spaced explanation of (1) why you want to explore ethics learning in your classes or program here; (2) how you hope to develop your ethics learning; (3) what you’d hope to work on during the Ethics Table; (4) what CWRU could expect from you as a result of being a part of the Ethics Table; and (5) the most difficult challenge you think CWRU undergraduates face when it comes to developing their ethical sensibilities. Decisions will be announced by June 10th. Please address any questions and send applications to Jeremy Bendik-Keymer.