Course Schedule: Ethics in Public Administration
Semester Begins: Wednesday, January 7, 2026
All assignments are due by 11:59 PM (MDT) unless otherwise noted.
Module 1 – What Is Ethics and Why Be Ethical
Available: January 7
Due: Monday, January 12
Readings & Media
- Sandel, Chapters 1 & 2
- How Will You Measure Your Life (PDF)
- The Good Place: Trolley Problem (Video – enjoy!)
Assignments
- Introductory Discussion Post
- Discussion Post #1
Module 2 – Ethical Reasoning and Awareness
Available: January 7
Due: Tuesday, January 20
Readings
- Sandel, Chapters 3 & 4
- Ethical Tool Kit (Word)
Assignments
- Ethical Hero Paper
- Introductory Discussion Post #1 – Reply
- Discussion Post #1 – Reply
- Discussion Post #2
Module 3 – Ethical Decision Making: The Tool Kit
Available: January 12
Due: Monday, January 26
Readings
- Sandel, Chapter 5
- Ending the U.S. Government’s War on Medical Marijuana Research (PDF)
Assignments
- Discussion Post #2 – Reply
- Discussion Post #3
Module 4 – Ethical Judgment and Cognitive Barriers
Available: January 19
Due: Monday, February 2
Readings
- Sandel, Chapter 6
- The Central Park Five (PDF)
- What Is Cognitive Bias? (PDF)
Assignments
- Discussion Post #3 – Reply
- Discussion Post #4
Module 5 – Ethical Dilemma: Admissions
Available: January 26
Due: Monday, February 9
Readings
- Sandel, Chapter 7
- The Ethical Case for Affirmative Action (PDF)
- What to Know About Affirmative Action (PDF)
Assignments
- Personal Ethical Dilemma
- Admissions Worksheet
- Discussion Post #4 – Reply
- Discussion Post #5
Module 6 – Creating Ethical Organizations & Codes
Available: February 2
Due: Tuesday, February 17
Readings
- Sandel, Chapters 8 & 9
- How to Design an Ethical Organization (PDF)
- U.S. Executive Branch Code of Ethics (skim)
- ICMA Code of Ethics (skim)
- Principles of Ethical Conduct (PDF)
Assignments
- Discussion Post #5 – Reply
- Discussion Post #6
Module 7 – Ethical Technology
Available: February 9
Due: Monday, February 23
Readings
- Badaracco, Chapters 1 & 2
- Technology Ethics and the Role of Government (PDF)
- The FBI & Apple Security Case (PDF)
Assignments
- Organizational Code of Conduct Presentation
- Discussion Post #6 – Reply
- Discussion Post #7
Module 8 – Obedience & Loyalty
Available: February 16
Due: Monday, March 2
Readings & Media
- Sandel, Chapter 10
- Badaracco, Chapter 3
- Stanford Prison Experiment (Video)
- Zimbardo on the Stanford Prison Experiment (Video)
- Milgram Experiment (Video)
- Stangl & the Holocaust Case (PDF)
Assignments
- Discussion Post #7 – Reply
- Discussion Post #8
Module 9 – The Pinto Case
Available: February 23
Due: Monday, March 16
Readings & Media
- Badaracco, Chapter 4
- The Pinto Fire Case – What Really Happened (YouTube)
- The Importance of Being Iacocca (PDF)
- Ethical Breakdowns (PDF)
Assignments
- Discussion Post #8 – Reply
- Discussion Post #9
Module 10 – Compliance & Culture
Available: March 2
Due: Monday, March 23
Readings & Media
- Badaracco, Chapter 5
- Our Cheating Culture (PDF)
- Corporate Culture: The Center of Strong Ethics and Compliance (PDF)
- Building Ethical Cultures in Public Service Agencies (PDF)
- Conformity Bias (Video)
- German Police Battalion 101 (PDF Case)
Assignments
- Discussion Post #9 – Reply
- Discussion Post #10
Module 11 – Moral Courage & Power
Available: March 9
Due: Monday, March 30
Readings
- Badaracco, Chapters 6 & 7
- The 8 Rules to Prevent Misuse of Corporate Power (PDF)
- Leadership and the Use of Power (PDF)
- Four Ways to Use Power Ethically (PDF)
Assignments
- Book Report
- Discussion Post #10 – Reply
- Discussion Post #11
Module 12 – Ethical Leadership
Available: March 16
Due: Monday, April 6
Readings & Media
- Badaracco, Chapters 8 & 9
- Ethical Curiosity: An Essential Dimension of Ethical Leadership (PDF)
- A Model for Leadership Ethics (Video)
- What Is Leadership Ethics? (Video)
Assignments
- Individual Professional Code of Ethics
- Discussion Post #11 – Reply
- Discussion Post #12
Module 13 – Course Wrap-Up
Available: March 23
Due: Monday, April 13
Assignments
- Reading Chart
- Discussion Post #12 – Reply
Final Exam
Available: April 13
Due: Wednesday, April 22
- Final exam must be submitted online by 11:59 PM (MDT)