The Specialization in Ethics and Development will encourage students to become conversant with relevant philosophical theories of justice, autonomy, community, and identity in relation to their own particular disciplines. They will relate this philosophical literature and apply philosophical skills to subjects such as economic and social sustainability; racial, gender, and ethnic conflict; humanitarian intervention; and globalization. Students and faculty will have the opportunity to address collaboratively in a philosophically sophisticated manner the difficult ethical issues that arise in the course of social, economic, political, and cultural development within an increasingly inter-connected global context.

The specialization, which is administered by the Department of Philosophy, is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs at Michigan State University. With the approval of the department or school and college that administers the student’s degree program, courses that are used to satisfy the requirements for the specialization may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the graduate degree program. The content of some elective courses may vary. The student’s program of study must be approved by the Director of the Ethics and Development Graduate Specialization.

Requirements for the Graduate Specialization in Ethics and Development

Master's students must complete 9 credits, and doctoral students must complete 12 credits from the courses listed below as approved by the Director of the Specialization. All students must take courses in at least two departments and at least one elective course at the 800-level.