Ethnic Studies

Ethics is the foundation of every society, shaping individual behavior, public policies, and economic decisions. Studying ethics not only provides a deeper understanding of social values but also helps guide important decisions in life. The Ethics major is an ideal choice for those who seek to explore moral issues and find solutions to ethical challenges in the modern world.

Introduction to the Ethics Major

Ethics is a discipline that studies moral issues. It is an essential branch of philosophy and serves as a foundation for many other disciplines. 

The Ethics major will guide students in exploring fundamental moral concepts such as good and evil, justice, rights, and obligations, as well as examining the moral standards of human behavior. This program aims to cultivate students’ moral judgment and practical ethical abilities.

Educational Objectives

1. Master the basic principles of Marxism and the fundamental theories of ethics, with a solid understanding of the history of Chinese and Western ethics.

2. Apply Marxist ethical theories to analyze moral issues in socialist societies and critically evaluate the historical heritage of Chinese and Western ethics, as well as modern bourgeois ethical schools.

3. Develop strong written and oral communication skills, as well as basic research abilities, along with practical skills for contributing to the construction of socialist spiritual and moral civilization.

4. Cultivate independent thinking and analytical abilities.

5. Master basic methods of literature retrieval and social investigation, with preliminary teaching, research, and practical work skills.

6. Develop strong reading abilities in professional literature and basic listening, writing, and speaking skills.

Graduation Requirements

Graduates of the Ethics major should possess the following core competencies:

• Ability to apply ethical theories and knowledge to analyze and solve ethical problems.

• Capability to conduct independent research in ethics.

• Proficiency in using ethical methods to analyze and address real-world issues.

• Strong communication and expression skills.

• A deep sense of social responsibility and humanistic literacy.

Core Courses

1. Introduction to Ethics

2. Ancient Ethical Thought

3. Modern and Contemporary Ethics

4. Applied Ethics

5. Social Ethics

6. Environmental Ethics

7. Medical Ethics

8. Business Ethics

9. Political Ethics

10. Moral Psychology

Research Directions in the Ethics Major

The primary research directions in the Ethics major include:

• Normative Ethics: Studies the system and structure of moral norms, including moral principles, moral rules, and moral values.

• Applied Ethics: Focuses on moral issues in specific fields, including medical ethics, bioethics, environmental ethics, information ethics, and business ethics.

• Meta-Ethics: Explores fundamental concepts, theories, and methods in ethics, including the nature of morality, the origins of morality, and the standards for moral judgment.

• Ethics and Society: Examines the relationship between ethics and society, including the influence of morality on society and vice versa.

• Ethics and Science & Technology: Investigates the interaction between science, technology, and ethics, including the ethical impact of scientific advancements and how ethics shapes technological development.

• Ethics and Culture: Explores the interplay between ethics and culture, including how cultural values influence morality and how morality shapes cultural practices.

Students can choose their research direction based on personal interests. Those interested in the system and structure of moral norms may focus on Normative Ethics. Students keen on real-world moral dilemmas may specialize in Applied Ethics. If they are fascinated by the fundamental nature of morality and its theoretical foundations, Meta-Ethics would be an ideal choice.

For students intrigued by the societal impact of moral principles, Ethics and Society is a relevant specialization. Those who want to study the ethical implications of scientific and technological progress may choose Ethics and Science & Technology, while those interested in the relationship between ethics and cultural traditions may focus on Ethics and Culture.

Degree Awarded

Graduates of the Ethics major receive a Bachelor of Philosophy degree.

Career Development

Graduates of the Ethics major possess broad knowledge and strong adaptability. Nearly half of the graduates pursue master’s degrees in related fields such as philosophy, religious studies, law, journalism, or economic management through direct recommendation or entrance examinations. The remaining graduates find employment in government agencies, theoretical research institutions, journalism and publishing, education and research, cultural sectors, and large- and medium-sized enterprises.

Among Ethics graduates, 66% secure employment before or shortly after graduation, while 34% find jobs within one year of graduation. On a scale of 10, the employment rate index for this major is 6.60, placing it in the lower-middle range compared to other disciplines.

Graduates typically pursue careers in government agencies, academic and research institutions, journalism and media, publishing houses, and cultural organizations.

Related Majors

• Philosophy

• Law

• Sociology

• Psychology

Top Universities for the Ethics Major

• Shanxi University

• Renmin University of China