Ethics

Focus

Philosophy is the search for answers to the fundamental questions of human existence, such as the conditions of scientific knowledge and the criteria for truth, the specific nature of humans, their competencies and place in the world, the meaning of religion, the prerequisites for a meaningful existence, questions of ethics and social responsibility, or issues of political and economic structures in human societies. Academic disciplines tend to impart increasingly specialised knowledge, often neglecting the broader perspective of human beings and their responsibilities. Today, there is a growing call for ethical orientation in many areas of society.

Target Group

The supplementary study programme “Ethics” offers the opportunity to engage with questions of moral responsibility, right action, and its ethical justification. Having an enhanced awareness of the ethical dimension of human actions in private as well as public, social, and political contexts, but also within economic and social structures, and the ability to understand the specific moral consequences of different ethical theories and principles, enriches personal life and provides a highly sought-after additional qualification in many professional fields.

The supplementary study programme “Ethics” is therefore aimed at the following target groups:

• Students of natural sciences (e.g., Biology, Geography, Psychology)
• Students of social and cultural studies (e.g., German Studies, History, Communication Studies, Political Science, Sociology, and Cultural Studies)
• Students of theological studies
• Students of legal studies (Law, Law and Economics)
• Students of Digital Studies
• Students of Economics

Courses that are part of the mandatory or elective subjects of a program cannot be counted as free electives within the same program for the purpose of supplementary study programme. Therefore, this supplementary study programme is not intended for students in the Bachelor’s program in Philosophy at the Faculty of Catholic Theology.

Structure & Requirements

Basic Module (12 ECTS)

The following courses totaling 12 ECTS must be completed:

• Philosophical Ethics (3 ECTS)
• Philosophical Anthropology I (3 ECTS)
• Epistemology (3 ECTS)
• Applied Ethics (3 ECTS)

Advanced Module (12 ECTS)

 The following courses totaling 12 ECTS must be completed:

• Current Issues in Philosophy (3 ECTS)
• Political Philosophy (4 ECTS)
• Philosophical Anthropology / Ethics (5 ECTS)

Course Registration

Registration for individual courses is done via PLUSonline.

Note: For courses you take as part of the supplementary study programme, select “Free Registration” in PLUSonline (if the option is available) during course registration:

Certificate

After successfully completing the courses listed above, the following certificates can be requested:

• Basic Module Ethics: This will be issued after successful completion of the Basic Module totaling 12 ECTS points.
• Supplementary Study Programme Ethics: This will be issued after successful completion of both the Basic and Advanced Modules, totaling 24 ECTS points.

IMPORTANT: If students wish to have the study supplement listed on their Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Diploma examination certificate as part of their free electives, they must comply with the regulations of their respective curriculum. Consultation with the chair of the relevant curriculum committee is recommended beforehand.

Requesting a Certificate

After completing all required courses:

1. Submit the completed examination record form (Exam Pass).
2. Submit the relevant transcripts and certificates to the Department of Philosophy.
3. The documents will be reviewed.
4. The certificate will be issued by the Center for Flexible Learning (ZFL) on behalf of the Vice Rector for Teaching and Students and sent digitally to your university email address.

Important: Certificates cannot be issued after graduation. Students should therefore apply several weeks before completing their degree.

Download Exam Pass

• Exam Pass Basic Module Ethics (12 ECTS)
• Exam Pass Supplementary Study Ethics (24 ECTS)

Transitional Regulations

Students who completed coursework for the Ethics Supplementary Study Programme under the previous regulation of 9 June 2022 may have those credits recognized toward the current certificate requirements. Previously earned ECTS credits remain valid and will be credited according to the actual number of credits obtained. The allocation of completed coursework to the respective modules is determined by the programme coordination. 

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