House Courses
House Courses are half-credit courses, offered on a Pass/Fail basis, that seek to provide an intellectual experience not available in regular departmental course offerings. They are intended to respond to undergraduate students’ expressed interests and concerns. In their origins they were meant to provide a bridge between the academic and residential life of students.
The Kenan Institute for Ethics has cosponsored the following House Courses:
Project Durham: In Search of the Root of All -Isms (Spring 2011)
Faculty Sponsor: Suzanne Shanahan, Kenan Institute for Ethics Associate Director
Course Description: Students are introduced to basic ethical issues that arise from a sense of privilege. They discuss issues concerning the universal “–isms” of prejudice and discrimination: Sexism, Sexualism or Homophobia, Racism, Culturism/Religionalism, and Classism. They also participate in a service learning project, Project Durham, which aids their understanding pf how these –Isms manifest locally. They survey local residents to determine what the most critical issue in Durham is, research possible causes, and then create hypothetical yet practical solutions to resolve the dilemma. During this time, students are introduced to different ethical dilemmas within the Duke community.
Contemporary Issues and Practical Ethics through an Intergenerational Lens
Faculty Sponsor: Betsy Alden, Kenan Institute for Ethics (Fall 2010)
Course Description: This course brought students and older adults together to explore ethics and moral dilemmas in a variety of circumstances, both modern and historic.
Honor During Crisis (Spring 2009)
Faculty Sponsor: Suzanne Shanahan, Kenan Institute for Ethics Associate Director
Course Description: This class discussed contemporary and historical crises during which people have been forced to make decisions that may compromise their adherence to their personal ethical codes with an aim for exploring modern crises in the political, social, and economic spheres and analyzing how decisions were made in the face of these situations.
The Gothic Wasteland?: A Conversation on Duke Campus Ethics (Spring 2009, Fall 2007)
Faculty Sponsor: Betsy Alden, Public Policy Studies and the Kenan Institute for Ethics
Course Description: This course confronted ethical issues in the college community, as well as stereotypes specific to Duke. Discussion topics included “effortless perfection,” “work hard/play hard” mentality, “hook-up culture,” campus dynamics/power structure, academic integrity, and sports ethics. The goal of the course was to spark honest insight on an experiential and intellectual level.
Ethics in Science, Medicine, & Technology: Good Knowledge, Evil Purposes (Spring 2007)
Faculty Sponsor: Noah Pickus, Kenan Institute for Ethics Director
Course Description: The ethical issues raised by modern scientific and technological enterprises are as important to consider as the science and technology themselves. This course aimed to promote discussion and debate on many of the ethical concerns faced in these fields today. What should be allowed, what should be regulated, and what should be restricted altogether?
Intergenerational Ethics (Fall 2006)
Faculty Sponsor: Peter Burian, Kenan Institute for Ethics Faculty Council
Course Description: This course brought students and older adults together to explore ethics and moral dilemmas in a variety of circumstances.
For more information, visit Duke House Courses.
