Ethics in Public Policy from Coursera

Welcome to the course Ethics in Public Policy! This course will help you learn about the role that ethical, moral, and cultural principles play when lawmakers and public officials formulate and execute public policy.

This course draws upon classical writings in political theory and contemporary cases on ethical dilemmas in public policymaking. It will enable you to debate various ethics themes such as justice, equality, fairness, individual liberty, free enterprise, charity, human rights, and minimising harm to others. It will also help you grasp how these themes integrate into various decision-making models, such as the utilitarian approach, fairness and justice approach, and rights approach. This course will help you examine these models in a real-life context to help balance competing interests to make the best decision.

In this course, you will gain an in-depth understanding of the challenges that stand at the crossroads between moral and practical decision-making as a real-life practitioner. You will find answers to questions such as if tolerance is a virtue in public policies that risk challenging constitutional norms, what could be the ethical implications of state violence in the name of national interest, and if it would be a good ethical policy to building dams to generate electricity for more people by displacing the inhabitants of that area. With the help of case studies, this course will help you dive deep into the dilemmas faced by the policymakers (both elected and appointed). It will also help you find some middle-ground that is morally just and optimizes social purpose.

What's inside

Syllabus

Utilitarianism and Libertarianism

This module introduces you to the theories that form the very first strand of ethics – consequentialism. It will help you take an ethical approach to choose between gun or butter, war or peace, organ transplant or primary health care, equality or discrimination, and abortion or stem cell. It will allow you to use positive results as a basis for evaluating human actions. You will dive deep into the consequentialists’ theories, for example, Utilitarian, and learn about the greatest possible increase of pleasure over pain and the maximum possible satisfaction of preferences of welfare economics.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores ethical principles and their impact on public policy, which is highly relevant to public policymaking

Taught by Swetasree Roy, who are recognized for their work in ethics, public policy, and political theory

Examines real-life case studies, which is highly relevant to public policy practitioners

Builds a strong foundation for understanding ethical dilemmas and decision-making in public policy

Develops ethical reasoning skills, which are core skills for public policy professionals

This course explicitly requires that this course be taken in serial with others as part of a series

Reviews summary

Strong ethical foundation for policymakers

According to learners, 'Ethics in Public Policy' is a largely positive experience, providing a strong theoretical foundation in ethical principles for public policy. Students particularly highlight the effectiveness of its insightful case studies, which effectively link complex philosophical concepts to real-world scenarios. The course is described as incredibly well-structured, moving from foundational theories to practical applications, making it highly valuable for anyone in public service and aspiring policymakers. While some learners desired more actionable advice or interactive discussions, and noted the readings can be dense, the course is consistently praised for its depth and relevance, equipping students with a robust framework for ethical analysis.

Tailored for those in or aspiring to public service roles.

"It's definitely geared towards professionals or students with some background in policy or philosophy."

"This course provided practical tools for ethical decision-making, which is incredibly valuable for anyone in public service."

"An indispensable course for anyone involved in public policy."

Provides in-depth understanding of core ethical frameworks.

"The modules on Utilitarianism and Justice as Fairness provided a strong theoretical foundation."

"This course provided practical tools for ethical decision-making... it equipped me with a robust framework for ethical analysis."

"It covers a wide range of topics, from utilitarianism to Sen's capabilities. I enjoyed the way it forced me to think critically."

Links theory to real-world dilemmas, enhancing application.

"The case studies were particularly insightful, offering practical applications of complex theories."

"The real-life examples kept me engaged throughout. Highly recommend for aspiring policymakers."

"The case studies, especially the Narmada Sagar Dams one, were very well-chosen and sparked a lot of thought."

Some desire more interaction and consistent delivery speed.

"I sometimes wished for more interactive discussions or peer feedback on the case studies."

"I found the pace inconsistent, and some explanations felt rushed while others dragged."

"The lectures were clear, though sometimes a bit dry."

While theoretical, some seek more direct actionable advice.

"It felt a bit too theoretical at times without enough actionable advice for day-to-day policy work."

"Practical application could be emphasized a bit more for policy practitioners."

"It's a decent introduction, but I'd recommend supplementing it with more contemporary ethical debates if you want deeper dives."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Ethics in Public Policy with these activities:

Organize your course materials

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This activity will help you stay organized and on top of your coursework.

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Create a system for organizing your notes, handouts, and other course materials
Make sure you have a good way to keep track of your assignments and deadlines
Back up your work regularly

Review your notes from previous courses

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This activity will help you refresh your memory on key concepts from previous courses.

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Review your notes from previous courses in political theory and ethics
Make a list of key concepts that you need to review
Find online resources or textbooks that can help you review these concepts

Watch video lectures on ethics in public policy

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This activity will allow you to learn from experts in the field at your own pace.

Browse courses on Ethics

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Find video lectures on ethics in public policy
Watch the lectures and take notes
Review your notes and make sure you understand the material

Six other activities

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Read 'Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?'

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Sandel's book will expose you to the major issues and debates in ethics and political philosophy.

View The Tyranny of Merit on Amazon

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Read Chapter 1: 'The Enigma of Justice'
Read Chapter 2: 'The Duty of Beneficence'
Prepare a 3-minute summary of the main arguments of these chapters
Discuss the implications of these arguments for your own views on justice

Join a study group

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Working with other students can help you understand the course material more deeply and prepare for exams.

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Find a group of students who are interested in studying together
Set up a time and place to meet
Discuss the course material together
Prepare for exams together

Practice answering exam questions

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This activity will help you prepare for exams by practicing answering questions similar to the ones you will see on the actual exam.

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Find practice questions online or in textbooks
Set a timer and practice answering the questions under timed conditions
Review your answers and identify areas where you need to improve

Attend a workshop on ethics in public policy

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This activity will allow you to learn from experts in the field and network with other professionals.

Browse courses on Ethics

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Find a workshop that interests you
Register for the workshop
Attend the workshop
Network with other professionals

Write a policy memo

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This activity will allow you to apply the concepts you learn in class to a real-world problem.

Browse courses on Policy Analysis

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Choose a policy issue that interests you
Research the issue
Develop a policy proposal
Write a policy memo outlining your proposal

Create a podcast episode

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This activity will allow you to delve deeply into a specific ethical issue and share your findings with others.

Browse courses on Ethical Decision-Making

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Choose an ethical issue that interests you
Research the issue thoroughly
Interview experts on the issue
Write a script for your podcast episode
Record and edit your episode

Career center

Learners who complete Ethics in Public Policy will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts use their knowledge of public policy to analyze data, conduct research, and recommend solutions to public issues. This course will help you understand the ethical principles that guide policymakers, which will be essential for your success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Public Administrator

Public Administrators oversee the implementation of public policy. This course will help you understand the ethical considerations that public administrators must take into account when making decisions, which will be essential for your success in this role.

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Legislator

Legislators create and pass laws that impact public policy. This course will help you understand the ethical principles that guide legislators, which will be essential for your success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Legislator

Lobbyist

Lobbyists represent special interests before policymakers. This course will help you understand the ethical principles that guide lobbyists, which will be essential for your success in this role.

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Government Relations Manager

Government Relations Managers build relationships with policymakers on behalf of their organizations. This course will help you understand the ethical principles that guide government relations managers, which will be essential for your success in this role.

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Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit Managers oversee the operations of nonprofit organizations that work to address public issues. This course will help you understand the ethical principles that guide nonprofit managers, which will be essential for your success in this role.

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Journalist

Journalists report on public policy issues and hold policymakers accountable. This course will help you understand the ethical principles that guide journalists, which will be essential for your success in this role.

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Lawyer

Lawyers may specialize in public policy law, representing clients on matters related to public policy. This course will help you understand the ethical principles that guide lawyers, which will be essential for your success in this role.

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Economist

Economists analyze economic data and provide advice to policymakers. This course will help you understand the ethical principles that guide economists, which will be essential for your success in this role.

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Political Scientist

Political Scientists study political systems and public policy. This course will help you understand the ethical principles that guide political scientists, which will be essential for your success in this role.

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Sociologist

Sociologists study society and social issues. This course will help you understand the ethical principles that guide sociologists, which will be essential for your success in this role.

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Anthropologist

Anthropologists study human societies and cultures. This course will help you understand the ethical principles that guide anthropologists, which will be essential for your success in this role.

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Historian

Historians study the past and its impact on the present. This course will help you understand the ethical principles that guide historians, which will be essential for your success in this role.

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Philosopher

Philosophers study the nature of reality, knowledge, and ethics. This course will help you understand the ethical principles that guide philosophers, which will be essential for your success in this role.

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Theologian

Theologians study religion and its impact on society. This course will help you understand the ethical principles that guide theologians, which will be essential for your success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Theologian