Ethical Reasoning in Public Policy
Schedule: TBD
Fees: ₹8,000 + 18% GST.
In this course, you'll learn to apply ethical reasoning to public policy questions. We'll use concepts, frameworks and problems sets to examine and resolve ethical questions.
Although the course incorporates moral principles, this is not an academic philosophy class. The emphasis is pragmatic: evaluating policy choices through ethical reasoning. You'll learn to assess the trade-offs inherent in public policy problems. By extension, you'll also start to see these choices in your own professional lives.
How The Course Works:
You’ll attend five webinars and participate in three debates. Through the course, you’ll also keep a journal with reflections on the learning models, literature, and debates.
On successfully completing the course, you’ll receive a certificate.
Learning Units:
LU 00 Foundations
We’ll learn why good public policy must incorporate ethical reasoning.
LU 01 Problem Solving
We’ll discuss various ethical theories and approaches that can guide our thinking in the context of policy problems.
LU 02 The Trolley Problem
We’ll use the famous thought experiment to engage with the practical implications of ethical dilemmas in policy making.
LU 03 The Contractor Problem
We’ll understand corruption in the context of policy outcomes and moral trade-offs through a hypothetical case study.
LU 04 Draupadi’s Question
We’ll use a story from the Mahabharata to assess the case for and against a paternalistic state that bans “addictive” things to protect its citizens.
LU 05 Preventive War
We’ll reflect on the ethics of war, including those waged preemptively as a mitigating measure against further violence and suffering.
Other Resources
In addition the learning units, you’ll have access to other case studies and literature. This will help round out your understanding of the ethical dilemmas policymakers face.
Frequently Asked Questions
+ Who Can Take This Course:
Anyone! Whether you’re a student who’s interested in public policy, a seasoned policy professional or simply a concerned private citizen, there’s something for everyone.
+ Do I need to attend all webinars to get the certificate?
Yes, you have to attend all the webinars. The course consists of 5-6 webinars and group debates, reflection journal and class participation as assessment components. Students will receive a certificate on successful completion of all these components of the course.
+ Are the Special Credit Courses just a set of webinars?
No, as a part of Special Credit Courses, you will also participate in group discussions where you can reflect, comment, and interact with students and faculty even after the webinars. Once you have completed the admission process, you will get an e-mail with the details on how to access it. All readings will also be made available.
+ Can this series be taken by someone without being familiar with the topic?
Yes, we have designed the Special Credit Courses such that the students do not need a background on the topic. Anyone interested in the topic can enrol for the course.
+ How will the series be taught?
The Special Credit Courses will be held completely online. The live webinars by our faculty will serve as pointers to help you explore more about the topic under discussion.
+What happens after the webinars are over?
You can continue the discussions on the topic with the fellow students and the experts. You will also continue to have access to the readings shared on the topic.
+ Will I have access to any learning material?
Yes, you would be provided reading material after every webinar to help you dig deeper on the topic covered in the webinar. The reading material will mostly be in the form of one to two online readings like research papers, articles etc.
+ Whom do I contact with my doubts about the Special Credit Courses?
Please write to: scc@takshashila.org.in We will get back to you within 48 hours of receiving your query.
Key Dates
Application deadline
TBD
Programme begins
TBD
Duration
6 weeks
Featured Faculty
Nitin Pai
Nitin Pai is co-founder and director of the Takshashila Institution, an independent centre for research and education in public policy. His current research includes the geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific; defence economics and the politics of radically networked societies. He teaches international relations and public policy at Takshashila’s graduate programmes.
Pai’s columns appear in Business Standard and Rajasthan Patrika (Hindi). He has published chapters in a number of edited volumes, most recently an analysis of the Pakistani Military-Jihadi Complex. He has taught civilian and military leaders at India’s College of Defence Management, Army War College and Brunei’s Institute of Strategic Studies.
He was a gold medalist from the National University of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, an undergraduate scholar at Nanyang Technological University, and an alum of National College, Bangalore. He spent more than a decade at the Singapore government as a policymaker in the technology sector.