GE3791 Human Values and Ethics Syllabus - Anna University

GE3791 HUMAN VALUES AND ETHICS

L T P C: 2 0 0 2

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course aims to provide a broad understanding about the modern values and ethical principles that have evolved and are enshrined in the Constitution of India with regard to the democratic, secular and scientific aspects. The course is designed for undergraduate students so that they could study, understand and apply these values in their day to day life.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

• To create awareness about values and ethics enshrined in the Constitution of India
• To sensitize students about the democratic values to be upheld in the modern society.
• To inculcate respect for all people irrespective of their religion or other affiliations.
• To instill the scientific temper in the students' minds and develop their critical thinking.
• To promote sense of responsibility and understanding of the duties of citizen.

UNIT I - DEMOCRATIC VALUES

Understanding Democratic values: Equality, Liberty, Fraternity, Freedom, Justice, Pluralism, Tolerance, Respect for All, Freedom of Expression, Citizen Participation in Governance - World Democracies: French Revolution, American Independence, Indian Freedom Movement. Reading Text: Excerpts from John Stuart Mills' On Liberty

UNIT II - SECULAR VALUES

Understanding Secular values - Interpretation of secularism in Indian context - Disassociation of state from religion - Acceptance of all faiths - Encouraging non-discriminatory practices. Reading Text: Excerpt from Secularism in India: Concept and Practice by Ram Puniyani

UNIT III - SCIENTIFIC VALUES

Scientific thinking and method: Inductive and Deductive thinking, Proposing and testing Hypothesis, Validating facts using evidence based approach - Skepticism and Empiricism - Rationalism and Scientific Temper. Reading Text: Excerpt from The Scientific Temper by Antony Michaelis R

UNIT IV - SOCIAL ETHICS

Application of ethical reasoning to social problems - Gender bias and issues - Gender violence - Social discrimination - Constitutional protection and policies - Inclusive practices. Reading Text: Excerpt from 21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari

UNIT V - SCIENTIFIC ETHICS

Transparency and Fairness in scientific pursuits - Scientific inventions for the betterment of society - Unfair application of scientific inventions - Role and Responsibility of Scientist in the modern society. Reading Text: Excerpt from American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J.Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin.

TOTAL: 30 PERIODS

COURSE OUTCOMES

Students will be able to

• CO1 : Identify the importance of democratic, secular and scientific values in harmonious functioning of social life
• CO2 : Practice democratic and scientific values in both their personal and professional life.
• CO3 : Find rational solutions to social problems.
• CO4 : Behave in an ethical manner in society
• CO5 : Practice critical thinking and the pursuit of truth.

TEXTBOOKS

No separate textbooks were listed in the provided syllabus.

REFERENCES:

1. The Nonreligious: Understanding Secular People and Societies, Luke W. Galen Oxford University Press, 2016.
2. Secularism: A Dictionary of Atheism, Bullivant, Stephen; Lee, Lois, Oxford University Press, 2016.
3. The Oxford Handbook of Secularism, John R. Shook, Oxford University Press, 2017.
4. The Civic Culture: Political Attitudes and Democracy in Five Nations by Gabriel A. Almond and Sidney Verba, Princeton University Press.
5. Research Methodology for Natural Sciences by Soumitro Banerjee, IISc Press, January 2022