“Joke” Classes That Shouldn’t Be

It’s funny how classes quickly become reduced to vague one-word descriptions. As people are choosing classes, they discuss how such and such class is “hard” or how another class is a “joke.” Unsurprisingly, the former classification is a negative one, while the latter is a positive one. This is unfortunate. It is especially disturbing that among Penn’s “joke” classes are its various professional ethics offerings, including business, nursing, and medical ethics. I cannot help but think that a similar problem exists on many campuses.

I love the study of ethics, but I can imagine how many people view such classes as nuisances. You’re in school to learn a skill; almost every class you take teaches you about a different aspect of that skill. Then there’s this random class about the ethical implications of practicing the skill you’re learning. It’s a different way of thinking, and you don’t much like it. This class is merely an impediment to your gaining a diploma and being able to practice your skill.

I’ve never sat in on one of these classes, but I bet they are jokes, and it really is a shame. For one, going to college for a preprofessional degree doesn’t involve much original thinking. (I don’t mean this derogatorily; it’s just a different kind of education.) Ethics classes could offer students just such an opportunity while focusing on their area of study.

Secondly, the content of these classes is vitally important. I’m not saying businesspeople will suddenly stop cheating the system (I don’t think many people subscribe to the Platonic view that if one knows the moral course of action, one necessarily performs that action). Thinking about the relevant issues, however, can only help prospective businesspeople, doctors, and nurses understand the moral dilemmas they will inevitably face. There are no easy answers to many of these dilemmas, but being prepared for them beforehand will never hurt. (For those of you keeping score at home, “can only help”—is my subtle reference to the idea of beneficence in medical ethics, while “never hurt” references the related but distinct idea of nonmaleficence.)

In short, it’s time instructors and students alike stop treating these ethics classes as jokes. They represent more than a useless required class to be slept through or worse. Changing these perceptions won’t solve every ethical problem, but it will definitely help.