E34: Political Ethics

A close-up of a globe with a politics sticky note, symbolizing global political themes.

Course Overview

CE Hours

3 CE Credits

Course Description

Political Ethics examines the ethical dimensions of political life — from campaigning and governing to everyday citizenship. This course explores what makes political ethics unique, the ethical challenges of positive vs. negative campaigning, the ethical responsibilities of government leaders when handling limited resources and controversial funding decisions, the dangers of political corruption, and the Greek philosophical debate on citizenship from Plato and Aristotle. Learners will analyze real-world political case studies and develop their understanding of what it means to act ethically as a candidate, a leader, and a citizen.

Course Learning Objectives

At the end of this course, learners will be able to:

  1. Define political ethics and explain how it differs from other forms of ethics
  2. Identify the three main kinds of political actors and describe the ethical responsibilities of each
  3. Distinguish between positive and negative political campaigning and explain the ethical implications of each
  4. Apply ethical reasoning to real-world scenarios involving campaign decisions, resource allocation, and controversial government funding
  5. Define political corruption and identify its causes
  6. Describe Plato’s and Aristotle’s contrasting views on the role of average citizens in political life
  7. Explain the process of citizen ballot initiatives and describe their role in democratic participation
  8. Identify the traits of good citizenship and explain how ethical political participation contributes to the health of a democracy

Course Format and Faculty

Course Format:

Online linked resources and lectures available anytime, 24/7. Includes one multiple-choice exam taken at the end of the course. A passing grade of 75% is required. Upon passing, learners may print their certificate immediately.

Course Developers and Instructors:

R. Klimes, PhD, MPH (Johns Hopkins University) is a scholar and author in health-related research, health behaviors, ethics, end-of-life care, and overall wellness. He has written numerous research reports and books and has held academic and leadership roles in higher education and public health internationally.

Course Time:

Approximately 3 hours for online study, test taking, course evaluation feedback, and certificate printing.