Ethics in Modern Society

The minor Ethics in Modern Society addresses ethical issues and offers a step-by-step introduction to philosophical methodology.

Number of EC

30 EC

Start

Study period 3

Coordinator

Dr Lucie White

For study period 3 and 4 you can register between 3 November and 21 November 2025.

Contents

This minor serves as an introduction the broad field of "applied ethics". In block 3, you will be introduced to fundamental theories in ethics (Introduction to Practical Ethics) and political philosophy (Ethics, Globalization and Sustainability), and begin to apply them to specific, concrete problems in the real world. You will also work on philosophical skills - particularly essay writing, philosophical argument and philosophical methodology in applied ethics. These skills will be further developed and refined in the block 4 courses (Ethics of Technology and Bioethics) - which delve into two main areas of applied ethics. You will be exposed to an overview of the most pressing problems in these fields, with a variety of assessment tasks designed to develop philosophical skills, and given the opportunity to focus, in your assessment, on the concrete issues that interest you most.

For BA Filosofie students: you cannot combine the verdiepingspakket Ethiek en politiek with this minor, because the two block 3 courses in this minor overlap with courses from the verdiepingspakket. But you can take the block 4 courses (Bioethics and Ethics of Technology) as free electives.

Completion of this minor (with an average grade of 7.0) also allows students without a background in philosophy to qualify for admission into the Master Applied Ethics.


Curriculum

The minor Ethics in Modern Society consists of 4 four compulsory course modules (30 EC).


Interested in these Masters?

The minor provides substantive preparation for the Master's programmes listed below. It does not guarantee admission, so always check the entry requirements. 


Register

First, check whether you meet the entry requirements. How you register next depends on whether you are already a student at Utrecht University or not.


Contact

With questions or for more information about the registration procedure, please contact the Humanities Student Information Desk.