Ethics as an Introduction to Philosophy
(Philosophy 100) considers the goals of human life; the first principles of morality; virtue, duty, law, responsibility. There is a special emphasis on justice, along with a treatment of the Deontological, Utilitarian and Natural Law/Right theories that are central to contemporary treatments of practical and professional ethics.
Philosophy 100 summary

Theological Foundations
(Theology 111) concerns the nature of revelation, religion, and reform within a religious tradition; the sources, method, and value of theological reflection and the ethical consequences for living in a world community.

Literature and the Moral Imagination
(English 205 or Classics 205) focuses on personal and social ethical issues in literature.

Fourth-course electives have come from approximately 15 different departments, involving about 90 faculty.

Electives Offered Fulfilling the E/RS Requirement
Course Criteria for E/RS Status
Sample E/RS Course Prospectus and Syllabus
  Chrastil Paris 19th Century

McGregor Grant

In May 1997, the E/RS Program received a $75,000 award from the McGregor Foundation to stimulate the development of three new, interdisciplinary, team-taught courses in the E/RS Focus. The idea was to create courses that would integrate knowledge from diverse disciplines in addressing contemporary social issues. The Xavier faculty members who received a McGregor Grant were given release time to plan and team-teach these courses. In addition, they were eligible for up to $1,500 per individual to cover the costs of course materials, workshops, and conferences useful for preparing the courses. The first team-taught McGregor course was taught in the 1998-99 academic year.

The benefit of this curricular initiative was extended beyond the faculty and students involved in the McGregor courses through faculty development workshops, open to all faculty of the university.