Fall 2012
    Law No.: LAW9089
    Sched. No.: 112820657

Seminar in Ethical Values (YR)*
Section 14
X
Verkerke, J H.



Administrative Information:
During SIS enrollment, check on SIS for real-time enrollment numbers
Days, Times (Room):TBA, - ()
Credits:0Type:Yearlong seminar
Capacity:12 **This information is current as of 05/24/2013 06:18:32 AM**
Current Enrollment:12 **This information is current as of 05/24/2013 06:18:32 AM**

Course Description:

Seminars in Ethical Values are designed to enhance students' understanding of ethical issues and address the broader ethical and moral responsibilities of the lawyer as citizen and leader. The seminars are graded on a pass/fail basis; students earn one credit in the spring semester upon successful completion of the seminar.

The purpose of this Seminar in Ethical Values will be to explore written works that challenge orthodox views in various fields. In keeping with that theme, students will play an important role in suggesting potential readings and in selecting the five books we will read and discuss. Prior to the add-drop period, I will open an online discussion forum for registered students to propose books for consideration and to express their views about a menu of alternatives that I will post. On Monday, September 3 at 6:00pm, we will meet at the Law School to introduce ourselves to one another and to finalize our reading list for the year. Thereafter, we will meet at my home at 6:30pm on the following five Monday evenings: October 1, November 5, February 4, March 18, April 15. Each of these sessions will be devoted to discussing one of the five books we have agreed to read. Although student input will determine the final reading list for this year, previous seminars have discussed books such as Jonathan Haidt, The Happiness Hypothesis; Michael Pollan, The Omnivore’s Dilemma; Stephen Pinker, The Blank Slate; Bill McDonough & Michael Braungart, Cradle to Cradle; Jeffrey Eugenides, Middlesex; Richard Dawkins, The God Delusion; Eric Beinhocker, The Origin of Wealth; and Michael Pollan, The Botany of Desire. I will propose that we also consider Daniel Kahneman, Thinking Fast and Slow; Alain de Botton, Religion for Atheists; Edward O. Wilson, The Social Conquest of Earth; Jonathan Haidt, The Righteous Mind; and Robert Trivers, The Folly of Fools for inclusion on our reading list. The only constraint on our choices for readings is that they must relate to the theme of challenges to orthodoxy.

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENT: Attendance at all class sessions is required