The following classes reflect the interdiscplinary approach that characterizes Queens'
academic programs and demonstrate the campus-wide interest in ethics and religion.

Ancient and Medieval Western Philosophy
A historical and conceptual investigation of the major texts of the Pre-Socratics,
Plato, Aristotle and selected medieval thinkers such as Augistine, Anselm, Abelard,
Aquinas, and William of Ockham.  Focuses on philosophy as a way of life.

Business Ethics
Explores business' relationship with its environment, particularly with its "stakeholders",
and develops and understanding of social responsibility as a strategy for business.  

Core 410- Ethics
A capstone course taken by all seniors that develops a rigorous understanding
of ethical theory and ethical inquiry.  Issues discussed include poverty, organizational
ethics, reproductive technology, censorship, and capital punishment.  Also includes
a Service Learning component in which students engage in a community service
project.   

Chinese Philosophy and Religion
This course centers on the issues discussed by the prominent thinkers of
ancient China including Confucius, Laozi, Mencius, Zhuangzi, Mozi, and Hanfeizi. 
Issues include the good life, ritual action, the good state, and the relationship
between human beings and the natural world.

Christian Ethics
This class poses the fundamental question of whether Christians can live faithfully
as fully participating members of the larger society or whether they must be in some
sense "peculiar" to, or set apart from, that society.  It the United States a "Christian
Society"?  Does "being Christian" in any way call into question "being American"?
We read selections from the work of Reinhold Nieburh to examine the former view
and selections from the work of Stanley Hauerwas and others to examine the latter.
With this foundation, we proceed to consider a series of issues such as war, homo-
sexuality, abortion, economics, and the like from these to perspectives.

Environmental Ethics
Questions addressed in this course center on the extension and nature of rights, 
the relationship between religion and conservation (ecotheology), the aesthetic value
of the environment, the virtue of stewardship, the Land Ethic, and sustainability.
Emphasis is placed on developing and articulating arguments in the context of class
discussions and written work.

Introduction to World Religions
A study of the religions of the world, including prehistoric beginnings.  Study includes
religions indigenous to North America, Africa, India, China, Japan, and the Middle East.
Major emphasis is placed on Judaism, Christianity and Islam as religions of the West;
and Buddhism, Hinduism, and Daoism as religions of the East.

Medical Ethics
This course develops an understanding of ethical theory (utilitarianism, de-ontology,
virtue ethics, ethical relativism, and ethical egoism) and applies it to contemporary
debates that pertain to the medical community.  These debates concern stem-cells,
cloning, end of life issues, autonomy, social justice, and the relationships between
hospital, medical staff, and patient.  

Philosophy of Religion
A course that stresses philosophical thinking about religion, that is, one that
seeks evidence and reasoned argument for religious beliefs and statements.
Issues discussed include the relationship between reason and faith, arguments
for and against the existence of God, the nature of mystical experience, the
relationship between science and religion, and religious pluralism.   

The Problem of Evil
Explores the various response by major religions to the problem of evil  How do
theologians make sense of a world where thousands may die from natural disasters
or elsewhere, where a Holocaust, genocide and ethnic cleansing seem more and more
common, and where innocent childer suffer and die from disease?  This course looks at
Buddhist, Jewish, and Christian responses (among others) to natural and moral evil.

Religion in America
Studies the key movements, people, and events in the history of religion in the
United States.  Emphasis is placed on mastering the relevant material and developing
an important for of critical analysis: historical thinking.