Honours B.A. with Major in Ethics and Contemporary Social Issues

The Program at a Glance

In this program, you’ll explore emerging social challenges and determine the best course of action from a practical and moral point of view.

This includes

Identifying and understanding social issues and their ethical aspects
Evaluating a range of responses to those issues
Designing political and policy interventions guided by moral arguments
Making decisions that lead to more ethical outcomes

The program incorporates aspects of ethics, political science and policy studies to create a well-rounded and practical foundation for future leaders and decision-makers.

The knowledge and skills gained in this program can be applied to a number of current issues. For example, encouraging ethical media practices, guiding ethical principles in emerging technologies, and developing policies that benefit people and the environment.

Who Should Apply?

This program welcomes all individuals who are kept up at night by the daily news but who hold out hope that the world can be improved through practical reasoning.

Internships and Research Opportunities

As a student, you will gain real-world experience with two internships in the public service and/or non-governmental organizations.

In partnership with the school’s Research Centre in Public Ethics and Governance, this program also offers you the unique opportunity to work with professors and contribute to ongoing research projects.

Career Opportunities

This program will prepare you by providing you with the knowledge, critical thinking and analysis skills you need to excel in a number of work settings, including: health care, law, policy research and development, as well as social justice.

Graduates of this program have gone on to the following career paths:

Ethics advisor in the public sector, NGOs and hospitals
Law
Policy analyst
Humanitarian worker
Graduate school in a number of humanitarian fields

Admission Details

Registration: Full-time and part-time
Program length: 8 trimesters or 4 years (full-time)
Program delivery method: Some courses are also available online.
Language: This program is also available in French.
For more detailed information, please click here.

A student enrolled in the Public Ethics (Honours Bachelor of Arts with Major) program may add a complementary minor or major, according to the student’s particular interests and requirements.

Scholarship Opportunities

Students enrolled in this program may be eligible for a number of scholarships. For more information, please click here.

This diploma is jointly offered with uOttawa.

BEAUVAIS Chantal, Rector
CHANDRA SHUKLA Rajesh, Associate Professor
CLOUTIER Sophie, Associate Professor
FEIST Richard, Associate professor
LANOIX Monique, Associate professor
MCLENNAN Matthew, Associate Professor
PAQUETTE Julie, Associate Professor
PERRON Louis, Associate Professor

Applications: A step-by-step guide

STEP 1: Choose a program of study
STEP 2: Learn about admission requirements
STEP 3: Submit your application
STEP 4: Gather the documents needed for the assessment of your application
STEP 5: Assessment of your application
STEP 6: Accept your offer of admission
STEP 7: Choose your courses

STEP 1: CHOOSE A PROGRAM OF STUDY

Undergraduate programs:

STEP 2: LEARN ABOUT ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Ontario applicants

From secondary school
Have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with at least six 4U or 4M level courses, including one 4U level course in English or français.

From Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology (CAAT)

After one year of studies
You are eligible if you have completed one year of a college program and have obtained the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with one language course (English or français) at the college or 4U level.
After a two- or three-year program
If you have completed a two- or three-year college program, you can obtain up to 30 units of advanced standing (transfer units).

Our transfer agreements
Saint Paul University has developed a number of transfer agreements with colleges, allowing applicants to receive upwards of 30 units in equivalencies. Find out more by consulting our articulation agreements page.

Quebec applicants

From secondary school
Have a Secondary School Diploma with an average of 84%, including one course in English or français at the Secondary V level.

From Cégep
Have completed 12 courses of general studies (not including physical education and refresher courses), including English (603) or français (601). Applicants who have successfully completed 12 courses of general studies may obtain up to 15 units of advanced standing, and those who have successfully completed more than 12 courses of general studies may obtain up to 30 units of advanced standing.

Applicants from the Atlantic and Western provinces

Have a Secondary School Diploma, including one course in English or français at the Grade 12 level.

Applicants from other universities

Applications from other Canadian or international universities will be assessed based on the applicant’s previous secondary and post-secondary studies. University equivalency units may be granted depending on the studies completed and the program into which the person is admitted.

International applicants

Have a diploma attesting to 12 years of education equivalent to the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Persons who have completed a secondary diploma attesting to 13 years of education, such as the Baccalauréat de l’enseignement secondaire français, can receive up to 30 units of advanced standing.

Mature applicants

When the applicant’s academic record does not meet normal conditions for admission, it is possible to apply as a mature applicant, provided that the person has not been enrolled in full-time studies for at least two consecutive years. In order to be considered for admission, applicants must have experience that can be considered sufficient preparation for pursuing undergraduate studies.

STEP 3: SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

You have two options

OPTION 1

If you are applying for admission to an undergraduate program at more than one Ontario university, including Saint Paul University:

Complete the application form available at the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC).

IMPORTANT NOTE: Because Saint Paul University is federated with the University of Ottawa, you will find programs offered by Saint Paul University listed under the University of Ottawa.

OPTION 2

If you are applying for an undergraduate program at Saint Paul University only, or if you are applying for a master’s or doctoral program:

Complete the following form.

STEP 4: GATHER THE DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF YOUR APPLICATION

In order for us to assess your application, you must submit official transcripts for all of your previous studies (secondary, college and university). These transcripts must be sent directly from your academic institution to the following address:

Saint Paul University
Office of Admissions and Student Services
223 Main Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1S 1C4
CANADA

However, to expedite the assessment process for your application, you can scan your documents and e-mail them to the Office of Admissions at admission@ustpaul.ca and then send your official documents through the mail.

STEP 5: ASSESSMENT OF YOUR APPLICATION

Once the Office of Admissions receives all the required documents, it will begin to assess your application. One of the following decisions will be sent to you at the email address you gave us, as well as to your postal address.

Possible decisions

Offer of admission
The Office of Admissions will send you an offer of admission (unconditional).
Conditional offer of admission
The Office of Admissions will make you a conditional offer of admission, with specific conditions that you must meet by a certain deadline. You can still proceed to registration (course selection).
Deferred decision
The Office of Admissions can inform you that some information is missing and therefore the University is unable to make a decision regarding your eligibility. If applicable, the Office will tell you which documents to send and by what date.
Refusal
The Office of Admissions will inform you of the reasons for the refusal.

STEP 6: ACCEPT YOUR OFFER OF ADMISSION

To accept an offer of admission and a scholarship offer, if applicable, you must sign the form entitled Admission acceptance form that accompanies your offer of admission and send it to Saint Paul University by email, before the deadline, to the following address admission@ustpaul.ca or mail it to:

Saint Paul University
Office of Admissions and Student Services
223 Main Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1S 1C4
CANADA

STEP 7: CHOOSE YOUR COURSES

With your offer of admission, you will receive all the information you will need to choose your courses. You will also receive the contact information for our academic advisors; you can meet with them one on one or during information sessions for guidance and to help you finalize your course selection.

Foundational Courses (12 units)

Compulsory Courses: 12 units

HTP1102 Approaches in the Humanities: Interpreting the Human Experience
HTP1103 People, Social Justice and Ecology
HTP1105 Critical Analysis, Reading and Writing Academic Works
HTP1106 The First Peoples in Canada

Discipline Specific Courses (42 units)

Compulsory Course: 30 units

PHI1105 Introduction to Critical Thinking
PHI2141 Fundamentals of Democracy and Governance
PHI2142 Utilitarian Ethics
PHI2143 Deontological Ethics
PHI2144 Virtue Ethics
PHI2146 Social Justice
PHI2181 Human Knowledge
PHI2182 Philosophical Anthropology
PHI3133 Feminist Ethics
PHI3307 Ethics, Multiculturalism and Immigration

Optional Courses: 12 units

6 units from:
PHI3129 Ethics, AI and Big Data
PHI3134 Environmental and Animal Ethics
PHI3309 Ethics and Religion
PHI3383 Conservatism and Libertarianism
PHI3385 Marx and Marxian Traditions

6 units from:
PHI4119 Ethics, War and Terrorism
PHI4121 Applied Ethics in Organizational Contexts
PHI4155 Selected Topics in Ethics and Politics
PHI4313 Ethics and Disability

Elective Courses (66 units)

Students complete a second major (42 units) and 24 units or a minor (30 units) and 36 units.

18 units must be of 3000 or 4000 level.

HTP 1102 - Approaches in the Humanities: Interpreting the Human Experience

Introduction to theoretical approaches in the Humanities and to the methods that are applied to interpret the multiple expressions of human experience, particularly those expressed in important works of art and literature.

HTP 1103 - People, Social Justice and Ecology

Social and ecological challenges facing humanity today, and related issues of social justice. These questions will be examined from a perspective of community building and efforts towards ecological and social transformations for a hopeful future.

HTP 1105 - Critical Analysis, Reading and Writing Academic Works

Development of abilities to read critically and understand academic works. Focus on formal writing skills: techniques of clear expression and construction of texts, argument development and organization. This course also includes a library laboratory component with focus on research skills, citations, and academic integrity.

HTP 1106 - The First Peoples in Canada

Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives on the First Peoples in Canada, cultural diversity, traditional practices and beliefs, relationship with the environment, changing roles and structures influenced by colonization. Contemporary issues faced by First Nations, Métis and Inuit, including cultural genocide and trauma.

PHI 1105 - Introduction to Critical Thinking

Explores the various sides of Critical Thinking: the nature of arguments, common errors in reasoning as well as evaluating evidence and information. Enables students to acquire and develop research and writing skills.

PHI 2141 - Fundamentals of Democracy and Governance

Study of the fundamentals of democracy and governance, and of its principal thinkers and critics, starting from Plato. Distinction between ancient and modern forms of democracy. Overview of the principles of political liberalism underpinning contemporary democracies. Comparison between democracy and other forms of government. Study of different models of governance and of the implications of a managerial conception of politics.

PHI 2142 - Utilitarian Ethics

General history of utilitarianism, with readings from main thinkers in the tradition from its beginnings up to the present day (Bentham, Mill, Sidgwick, Singer, Lazari-Radek). Study of applied dimensions of this approach, as well as of its limitations.

PHI 2143 - Deontological Ethics

General history of deontology, with readings from main thinkers in this tradition from its beginnings up to the present day (Kant, Ross, O’Neill). Study of applied dimensions of this approach, as well as of its limitations.

PHI 2144 - Virtue Ethics

General history of virtue ethics, with readings from main thinkers in this tradition from its beginnings to the present day (Aristotle, MacIntyre, Nussbaum, non-western perspectives). Study of applied dimensions of this approach, as well as of its limitations.

PHI 2146 - Social Justice

Explores, from the perspective of social justice theories, issues such as social inequalities, poverty, refugees, war, and environmental degradation. Examines criticisms of this perspective.

PHI 2181 - Human Knowledge

Study of the traditional, universalist, approach to knowledge as well as contemporary standpoint approaches, such as feminist and postmodernist.

PHI 2182 - Philosophical Anthropology

Study of different philosophical conceptions of the human being.

PHI 3129 - Ethics, AI and Big Data

Study of emerging ethical issues and dilemmas prompted by the Internet and related technologies. Range of topics that could include privacy, cyber-bullying, algorithms governance, control society, accessibility issues, and the monetization of data. Foundations of artificial intelligence, and ethical and public policy issues linked to emerging and possible artificial intelligence technologies.

PHI 3133 - Feminist Ethics

Examination of the development of critical theories and new ethical models in different feminist currents. How these ethics take into consideration the marginalized voices of oppressed groups.

PHI 3134 - Environmental and Animal Ethics

Explores ethical issues concerning non-human animals and the environment, such as harvesting non-human animals for food production and the social problems arising from global warming.

PHI 3307 - Ethics, Multiculturalism and Immigration

This course examines the relation of ethics, multiculturalism, and immigration, studies the questions regarding the possibility of a multicultural ethics, and addresses the issues and debates arising from cultural relativism and identity politics in the functioning of modern societies.

PHI 3309 - Ethics and Religion

This course examines the philosophical foundations of various ethical and religious traditions and addresses the possibility of their convergence in modern liberal societies.

PHI 3383 - Conservatism and Libertarianism

Explores the various kinds of conservative and libertarian philosophies with an emphasis on their differing views on the nature of truth and reason. Investigates conservative and libertarian critiques of social justice.

PHI 3385 - Marx and Marxian Traditions

Analysis of Marxist theories as well as non-western and recent post-marxist interpretations and their mobilization in thinking through oppression and power relationships.

PHI 4119 - Ethics, War and Terrorism

Analysis of ethical, political, and public policy dimensions of armed conflict in a global era: just war theory, humanitarian intervention, war and diplomacy, emerging military technologies, torture, detainment, state of exception, and human rights.

PHI 4121 - Applied Ethics in Organizational Contexts

Analysis of ethical issues emerging in organizational contexts. Case studies to demonstrate how ethical decisions are made on the ground.

PHI 4155 - Selected Topics in Ethics and Politics

Study of a particular topic, thinker or tradition. Critical analysis of the link between ethics and politics.

PHI 4313 - Ethics and Disability

Analyzes models of disability from medical to social and political models. Critically investigates the implications of these models for the social construction of individuals as disabled.

Office of Admissions, Registrar and Student Services
Room 148
Saint Paul University
223 Main Street
Ottawa, ON
K1S 1C4
CANADA

Notice to gmail address holders, be sure to check your junk mailbox regularly, as due to your server's firewalls our email response to your application may end up there.

Telephone: 613-236-1393
Fax: 613-782-3014
admission@ustpaul.ca

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