About
our Mission
The Western Michigan University Center for the Study of Ethics in Society creates interdisciplinary opportunities for the University and Community to engage in public reflection about ethical issues.
our Values
Relevance – Explore practical ethical issues that are meaningful to society
Engagement – Commit to ethical inquiry and problem solving
Reflection – Make time and space for deliberating about ethics
Respect – Take seriously differing views about complex ethical issues
Critical Thinking – Weigh evidence and reasoning of ethical arguments
Collaboration – Work together with partners from the University and Community
Modeling – Demonstrate our values in the way we fulfill our mission
our Vision
Dedicated to making ethics vital in our communities.
our History
In August 1985, nearly 20 Western Michigan University faculty from across the curriculum met to discuss their common interests in studying and teaching ethics. After three days of sharing ideas, the faculty agreed to form the Center for the Study of Ethics in Society with Michael Pritchard, professor of philosophy, as its founding director.
Originally sponsored by the WMU's Graduate College, the center is now housed in the College of Arts and Sciences. The center's director is Sandra L. Borden, professor of communication. Jil Larson, associate professor of English, is publications editor. The advisory committee has members from across the curriculum: business, chemistry, communication, education, engineering, English, philosophy, physics, race and ethnic relations, nursing, social work, and sociology, and law.
our Activities
Over the years, the center has worked closely with the medical community sponsoring programs in biomedical ethics. It has also sponsored study groups on topics of general interest and book clubs. Other focus areas include research ethics, communication ethics and engineering ethics.
The center edited and produced Teaching Ethics, the official journal for the Society for Ethics Across the Curriculum, from 2008 to 2014. Michael Pritchard, WMU, and Elaine Englehardt, Utah Valley University, were co-editors. Sandra L. Borden, WMU, was the associate editor. David Charlton, WMU, was the copy editor.
Each academic year, the center sponsors 15 to 20 public presentations addressing a wide range of ethical issues. It also publishes a few of these presentations in its in-house publication series annually.
Although the center has no academic courses of its own, it serves as a resource for faculty and students. From time to time, the center offers workshops and conferences. The center also sponsors Western Michigan University's undergraduate Ethics Bowl team.