Interdisciplinary Studies: Concentration in Ethics and Social Institutions

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The concentration in Ethics and Social Institutions 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. With the guidance of the ESI coordinator, students will design an individualized course of study by drawing on many disciplines including but not limited to Economics, Philosophy, Political Science and Sociology. Thematic possibilities could include Social Ethics; Ethics, Society, and the Law; Social Decision-making; Interaction of Societies; and The Individual and Society. A list of regularly scheduled courses which fall into these thematic categories will be available from the ESI concentration coordinator. With the proper planning, students graduating with a concentration in Ethics and Social Institutions will be well prepared for careers or advanced study in law, business or more specialized academic disciplines.

Requirements for Concentration in Ethics and Social Institutions:

I. Required courses for the major—22 hours, including:

Either:

ECON 103 - Introductory Economic Analysis (4) or

Either:

II. Research methods—8 hours. Complete one of the following groups:

(a)

(b)

POLS 220 - Introduction to American Politics (4)
POLS 281 - Principles of International Relations (4)
either POLS 220 or 281 will be used in I. above
POLS 290 - Political Analysis (4)

(c)

And either:

III. Elective program—18 hours approved by the ESI coordinator:

In consultation with the major advisor, students will design an elective program organized around a theme in Ethics and Social Institutions. No more than 9 of these credit hours may come from any one department. Courses must come from at least three different departments, and at least 14 of the 18 elective hours must be at the 300-level or above.

IV. Other concentration requirements:

Major competency is demonstrated in ESI 490. The course must be completed with a grade of C or higher. At least 28 of the total required hours must be taken while a student at UNCA. Students seeking a double major may count only 12 credit hours from the other major toward an ESI concentration. None of a student’s credit hours earned for a declared minor can be counted toward an ESI concentration.

Declaration of Major in Interdisciplinary Studies: Concentration in Ethics and Social Institutions:

Declaring a major in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Ethics and Social Institutions for a Bachelor of Arts degree requires the student to have their course of study approved by the ESI coordinator.

Liberal Arts Core (LAC)

For additional information about the Liberal Arts Core and the specific courses that fulfill the requirements, visit the Office of the Registrar website, https://registrar.unca.edu/liberal-arts-core.

Liberal Arts Core Requirements

The credit hours listed are the minimum required.

Requirement	Credits
First-Year Seminar	3
Academic Writing and Critical Inquiry	4
Humanities	12
Laboratory Science	4
Scientific Perspectives	3
Quantitative Perspectives	4
Social Science	3
Second Language (proficiency through the 2nd semester)	0-4
Arts and Ideas	3
Senior Capstone	4
Diversity Intensive	3