By, James Bradicich
Three prominent USC leaders recently spoke at Doheny Memorial Library about the importance of incorporating ethical ideas, policies and concepts into the curricula of graduate and professional programs. The event was co-sponsored by the Levan Institute for Humanities and Ethics and the Center for Excellence in Teaching.
The panel featured USC Gould School of Law Professor and Vice Dean Alex Capron, USC Rossier School of Education Professor Darline Robles and USC Athletic Director Pat Haden.
The panelists agreed that the cultivation of moral discernment and excellence in teaching must be continued through professional studies at USC to best prepare students for successful and ethical careers.
“Moral discernment suggests the first step in what is, for at least our professional students, the complete execution of their professional responsibilities, which is not only discerning what is right, but actually acting on it,” said Capron.
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| Darline Robles, Pat Haden and Alex Capron |
In keeping with USC’s Code of Ethics, USC students are taught to be outspoken advocates for ethical behavior through USC’s curriculum across all professional schools.
At the Keck School of Medicine of USC, students study under a four-year curriculum entitled Humanities, Ethics, Arts and Law (HEAL), which features classroom discussions involving role-playing situations, poetry, drama and policy analysis.
“At the University of Southern California, ethical behavior is predicated on two main pillars: a commitment to discharging our obligations to others in a fair and honest manner, and a commitment to respecting the rights and dignity of all persons,” states USC’s Code of Ethics.
Robles, who is creating a six-semester Master of Education in School Leadership degree program whose first class will enroll next fall, is infusing the curriculum with a wide variety of moral issues.
“The most important thing teachers can do for students is to create a culture of openness and transparency,” Robles said. “Teachers want to create an environment where students feel trusted and there is respect, responsibilities and accountability.”
Although there is an emphasis on integrating ethical and behavioral teachings into the classroom, cultivating moral discernment is not limited to academics.
“Athletic competition has the potential to nurture wisdom and learning,” Haden said. “Trying to win, preparing to win and ultimately winning in the right way is paramount to [USC].”
For more information about ethics-related endeavors at USC, please visit: dornsife.usc.edu/ethics-at-usc.
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