15 269 - Literature, Ethics, and Authority

Institution:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Subject:

Description:

Explores how we use story to articulate ethical norms. The syllabus consists of short fiction, novels, plays, feature films and some non-fiction. Major topics include leadership and authority, professionalism, the universality of ethical standards, and social enterprise, as well as questions of gender, cultural and individual identity, the balance of family and work life, and the relation of science to ethics. Readings include work by Robert Bolt, Michael Frayn, Timothy Mo, Wole Soyinka, H.D.Thoreau, and others; films include Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Hotel Rwanda, Motorcycle Diaries, Three Kings, and others. Draws on various professions and national cultures, and is run as a series of moderated discussions, with students centrally engaged in the teaching process.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Prereq: None

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

web.mit.edu/student/

Phone Number:

(617) 253-1000

Regional Accreditation:

New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Calendar System:

Four-one-four plan

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