![Portrait of Evelyn Lincoln](/sites/default/files/styles/hero_home_page_huge/public/2023-11/ethics_1600x500.jpg?h=8da92e17&itok=VrdElMbu)
Evelyn Lincoln Institute for Ethics and Society (ELIES)
Guided by the Core Values of 老司机福利社 University, the听Evelyn Lincoln Institute for Ethics and Society (ELIES)听works to raise awareness of ethical issues that confront people in their social and professional lives.
ELIES provides information about current challenges facing our local and global communities, opportunities for development of ethical sensitivity and innovative strategies for dealing with ethical problems and conflicts. These issues are addressed through lectures, symposia, and round tables. ELIES provides formal and informal programs throughout the academic year as well as spontaneous programs in response to current events.
Do you have an event you'd like to sponsor or co-sponsor with ELIES?听!
- Socially responsible business practices听
- Science and emerging technologies听
- Ecology and sustainability
ELIES invites regional and national scholars and professionals to give public lectures on social, political, professional, technological, and environmental ethics throughout the academic year. For example, partnering with the Sustainability Program, the Institute offers the Sr. Maura Smith Earth Day lecture. The ELIES also provides the community with a keynote lecture every spring semester.
On Oct. 4, 2023, 老司机福利社 celebrated Hispanic Heritage month with a special lecture, "Imagine More" by Dr. Juan Hern谩ndez.
On February 7, 2023, ELIES hosted a panel discussion entitled "Religion and Social Justice: A Conversation With Erie Leaders."
On April 27, 2022, ELIES welcomed Lisa Britton, CIS, CCPR, LEED AP BD+C, GGP for a lecture entitled "Creating a Healing Future Using a Holistic Approach to Sustainability."
On February 23, 2022, ELIES hosted a panel discussion entitled "Moral and Ethical Issues Facing 21st Century Policing."
On February 8, 2022, ELIES hosted a panel discussion entitled "Individualism, Community, and the Power of Symbols."
On October 21, 2021, ELIES hosted a panel discussion entitled "Contemplating Afghanistan: The past, the present, the ethical challenge."
On April 22, 2021, ELIES welcomed Daniel P. Horan, OFM, Ph.D. via Zoom for a lecture entitled "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Climate Justice."
Edward A. Jolie, Ph.D., RPA, of the 老司机福利社 University Department of Anthropology/Archaeology, recently gave a presentation regarding the status of Native Americans in the landscape of today's America. A premiere event will be happening on Tuesday, December 1, at 7 p.m. on the that will include Dr. Jolie participating in a Q&A on Zoom afterwards. This event is co-sponsored by ELIES and the Department of Anthropology/Archeology.
On February 4, 2019, ELIES hosted a panel presentation entitled "Is This a Crisis? Understanding and Responding to the Drug-Resistant Bacteria Problem." Panel members included Dr. Amy Danowitz (Department of Chemistry), Dr. Lucy Thairu (Department of Public Health), and Dr. Randy Clemons (Department of Political Science).
In 2018 ELIES entered its 11th year and were excited to welcome Dr. Swasti Bhattacharyya, Professor of Philosophy and Religion on April 26, 2018. Her lecture was titled "Converging Rivers: Healthcare and the Intersections of Religion, Culture and Ethics."
On October 15, 2018, ELIES welcomed Dr. Shannon French, Inamori Professor in Ethics and Director of the Inamori International Center of Ethics and Excellence at Case Western Reserve University. Her lecture was titled "Artificial Ethics? The Use of AI and Autonomous Weapons by the Military."
On November 7, 2018, ELIES hosted a panel presentation entitled "鈥淓conomic Ethics and the Common Good: A discussion of Oeconomicae et pecuniariae quastiones鈥. This panel included Richard McCarty, Ph.D., Religious Studies, Juan Argaez, Ph.D., Economics, Greg Baker, D. Min., Vice President for Mission Integration, and Lena Surzhko-Harned, Ph.D., Political Science, Penn State Behrend.
On November 6, 2019, ELIES hosted a panel presentation entitled "The Berlin Wall: 30 Years Later鈥. This panel included Dr. Brian Ripley (Department of Political Science), Dr. Fred Hoffman (Department of Intelligence Studies), Dr. Kathryn Duda (Department of World Languages), and Dr. Alice Edwards (Department of World Languages).
ELIES runs a series of student centered symposia. Once a month students in the University capstone ethics course are invited for an informal faculty led discussion of topics that affect our communal lives and are in the faculty鈥檚 areas of expertise. In 2017-18 these symposia will be led by Dr. Maria Garase (Criminal Justice), Dr. Emmaleigh Kirshner (Criminal Justice), Dr. Ed Jolie (Anthropology/Archeology), Dr. Amy Danowitz (Chemistry), and Dr. Scott Michel (Sports Medicine) among others.
ELIES will also be able to provide continuing education credit for professionals and professional societies upon request. Please contact the director for more information.
Ethics Minor
Students seeking the ethics minor will be required to take six courses (18 credits). All students are required to take the foundational Introduction to Ethics course, PHIL 190. They will also be required to choose from a selection of second level ethics courses offered by Philosophy, Religious Studies, Catholic Studies, or Anthropology. Finally, students take three elective courses from the approved list, which come from a variety of departments. All students must take a minimum of one 300 or 400 level course. There is an additional requirement of an internship through ELIES that will be either zero or 1 credit, depending on the needs of the student. Those internships will require the approval of the ELIES director.
Foundation course - Required
PHIL 190 Intro to Ethics 3 credits
Second Level courses - Choose two from these courses
CST 275 Catholicism and Social Justice 3 credits听
RLST 200 Contemporary Moral Issues 3 credits听
ANTH/SOC 125 Introduction to Gender Studies 3 credits听
PHIL 140 Contemporary Ethical Issues 3 credits
Electives choose three
CRJS 101 Justice in America 3 credits听
PHIL 150 Philosophical Studies 3 credits听
SOC 204 Diversity in Society 3 credits听
SBM 220 Legal and Ethical Issues in Sport 3 credits听
ECON 250 Economics of Poverty 3 credits听
RLST 255 Religious Perspectives on Human Relationships 3 credits听
RLST 275 Liberation, Religion, and Society 3 credits听
CRJS 343 Criminal Justice Ethics 3 credits听
ANTH 347 Anthropological Ethics 3 credits听
BADM 350 Business Ethics 3 credits听
PHIL 405 Ethics and the Professions 3 credits听
RLST 440 Peace and Justice 3 credits
At least one course must be 300 level or higher.
History of the Institute听
ELIES was established in the fall of 2008 through a generous grant from Emily and John Costigan. Emily Costigan is a 1964 graduate of 老司机福利社 College. The institute is named in honor of her mother, Evelyn Jacobson Lincoln, who graduated from 老司机福利社 in 1930. The first co-directors of ELIES were Dr. Daniel McFee (Religious Studies) and Dr. Kevin Sullivan (Philosophy). They developed the distinguished speaker series and round tables focusing on three primary areas:听
They also established the annual Rotary Ethics Symposium for high school juniors.
Fall 2023
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![]() Thursday, Oct. 5, 7听p.m. Mercy Heritage听Hall听 |
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![]() Wednesday, Nov. 8, 7 p.m. Mercy Heritage Hall "Lake of Betrayal: The Story of the Kinzua Dam" Film showing followed by a discussion led by Dr. Will Meyer. Free and open to the public. |
Spring 2023
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![]() Thursday, Feb.听23, 2022, 7听p.m. Walker Recital Hall Religion, Politics, and Security in 鈥楾he Holy Land鈥 Panel Members: Dr. Robert von Thaden, Religious Studies Dr. Seyma Akyol, Political Science,听 Dr. Brooke Shannon,听Intelligence Studies. Free and open to the public. |
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![]() Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, 7 p.m. Mercy Heritage Room "Religion and Social Justice: A Conversation with Erie Leaders" Panel Members: Very Reverend Melinda Hall, Cathedral of St. Paul Sheikh Mazin Alsahlani, Al-Makarim Islamic Foundation Sister Valerie Luckey, OSB, representing the Benedictine Sisters of Erie Free and open to the public. |
Spring 2022
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![]() Wednesday, April 27, 2022, 7 p.m. Mercy Heritage Room "Creating a healthier future using a holistic approach to sustainability" Lisa Britton, director of sales & marketing and sustainability champion for Industrial Louvers, Inc. (ILI) Free and open to the public. |
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![]() Wednesday, Feb.听23, 2022, 7听p.m. Walker Recital Hall "Moral and Ethical Issues Facing 21st Century Policing." Panel Members:听 Chief Dan Spizarny, Erie Police Department Mr. Michael Outlaw, Erie Mayor鈥檚 Office Mr. David Morris, Strengthening Police and Community Dr. Adam Saeler, 老司机福利社 Criminal Justice Free and open to the public. 听 |
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![]() Tuesday, Feb.听8, 2022,听7 p.m. Walker Recital Hall "Individualism, Community, and the Power of Symbols."听 Panel Members: Dr. Robert von Thaden, Religious Studies Dr. Melissa Heerboth, Psychology Dr. Kathryn Duda, World Languages Dr. Julia Morgan, Philosophy Free and open to the public. 听 |
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Fall 2021
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![]() Thursday, Nov.听4, 2021, 7:30 p.m. Mercy Heritage Room Native American Heritage Month Film and Discussion "Mankiller: Activist. Feminist. Cherokee Chief."听 Discussion led by Ben Scharff, Ph.D.听 Free and open to the public. |
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![]() Thursday, Oct.听21, 2021, 7:30 p.m. Waterford Room "Contemplating Afghanistan: The past, the present, the ethical challenges" Panel Members: Brian Ripley, Ph.D., Political Science听 Jacob Mauslein, Ph.D.,听 Intelligence Studies听 Deborah Pazmi帽o, Director of Immigration Services, Multicultural Community Resource Center (MCRC) Julia Morgan, J.D., Ph.D.,听 Philosophy Free and open to the public. |
Spring 2021
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![]() Thursday, April 22, 7 p.m. 鈥嬧嬧嬧嬧嬧嬧媄oom "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Climate Justice". Daniel P. Horan, OFM, Ph.D. Free and open to the public. |
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Spring 2020
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![]() Tuesday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m. Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center "Recy Taylor, Rosa Parks, and the Radical Roots of #MeToo" Danielle McGuire, Ph.D., Organization of American Historians Distinguished Lecturer Free and open to the public. |
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Fall 2019
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![]() Wednesday, Nov.听20, 7 p.m. Walker Recital Hall Documentary Screening and Panel Discussion:听"Lake of Betrayal: The Story of Kinzua Dam" Panel Members: Dennis J. Bowen and Stephen Gordon, Seneca Nation Free and open to the public. |
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![]() Wednesday, Oct. 23, 7 p.m. Walker Recital Hall Panel Presentation:听"The Berlin Wall: 30 Years Later" Panel Members: Dr. Brian Ripley (Department of Political Science), Dr. Fred Hoffman (Department of Intelligence Studies), Dr. Kathryn Duda (Department of World Languages), and Dr. Alice Edwards (Department of World Languages) Free and open to the public. |
Spring 2019
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![]() Tuesday, April 16, 7 p.m. Walker Recital Hall "Saving Our Synthetic Seas" Marcus Eriksen, Ph.D., research director and co-founder of the 5 Gyres Institute Free and open to the public. |
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![]() Wednesday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m. Walker Recital Hall Panel Presentation:听"Is This a Crisis? Understanding and Responding to the Drug-Resistant Bacteria Problem" Panel Members: Dr. Amy Danowitz (Department of Chemistry), Dr. Lucy Thairu (Department of Public Health), and Dr. Randy Clemons (Department of Political Science) Free and open to the public. |
Fall 2018
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![]() Wednesday, Nov.听7, 7 p.m. Walker Recital Hall Panel Presentation: 鈥淓conomic Ethics and the Common Good: A discussion of Oeconomicae et pecuniariae quastiones鈥 Panel Members: Richard McCarty, Ph.D., Religious Studies Juan Argaez, Ph.D., Economics Greg Baker, D. Min., Vice President for Mission Integration Lena Surzhko-Harned, Ph.D., Political Science, Penn State Behrend Free and open to the public. |
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![]() Monday, Oct.听15, 7 p.m. Walker Recital Hall ELIES 10th Anniversary Lectures Series 鈥淎rtificial Ethics? The Use of AI and Autonomous Weapons by the Military鈥 Shannon French, Ph.D., Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University Free and open to the public. |
Student Symposia
These small, student-only gatherings offer opportunities for students to discuss a topic in detail with a faculty member with expertise in the area. These are not lectures; students are invited to bring their points of view and their questions. Each gathering will meet for about one hour, and refreshments will be served.
October 17, 2:30 p.m., CAE 109 鈥淗ow do you know if you have consent?" Discussion led by Dr. Averill Earls, History
November 15, 2 p.m., CAE 109 鈥淪hould currently incarcerated inmates have access to college education?鈥 Discussion led by Dr. Maria Garase, Criminal Justice
Spring 2018
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![]() April 23, 7 p.m., Taylor Little Theatre Annual Sister Maura Smith Earth Day lecture will be given by Lois Gibbs, the founder and executive director听of the Center for Health, Environment and Justice. Co-sponsored with the Sustainability program. |
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![]() April 6, 7 p.m., PAC 听 10th听Anniversary special lecture, 鈥淐onverging Rivers: Healthcare and the Intersection of Religion, Culture and Ethics,鈥 given by Dr. Swasti Bhattacharyya. Dr. Bhattacharyya is a bioethicist who also has a degree in nursing. March 6, 2018 Rotary Ethics Symposium |
Student Symposia
March 1, 1 p.m., CAE 109 鈥淲hat are the moral implications for failing to respond to environmental problems?鈥 Discussion led by Prof. Sarah Bennett, Biology
March 13, 2 p.m., CAE 109 鈥淚s the death penalty morally defensible?鈥 Discussion led by Dr. EmmaLeigh Kirchner, Criminal Justice
April 17, 2 p.m., CAE 109 鈥淚f biotechnology allowed a person to live 130-150 years, who would get to live longer and how should it be paid for?鈥 Discussion led by Dr. Chris Taylor, Chemistry
Fall 2017
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![]() October 26, 7 p.m., Mercy Heritage Room 鈥淭o Stop the Machine鈥: Nonviolent Struggle, Democracy, and the Spirit of Henry David Thoreau鈥 A multi-disciplinary panel discussion of 老司机福利社 faculty in History, Philosophy, and English. Free and open to the public Co-sponsored with 老司机福利社 History Department |
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![]() September 26, 7 p.m., Taylor Little Theater 鈥淔acing a Conflicted Heritage: History, Memory, and the Battle over Confederate Monuments鈥 A multi-disciplinary panel discussion of 老司机福利社 faculty in History, Political Science, Philosophy, and Psychology Free and open to the public Co-sponsored with 老司机福利社 History Department |
September 13, 7 p.m., Mercy Heritage Hall 听鈥淓nemies of the People? A Forum on Journalism and Ethics.鈥 This round table听included both 老司机福利社 faculty and members of the local media. They addressed听issues of journalistic ethics and the role of the First Amendment of the Constitution in shaping the role of journalism in a democratic state. | 听 |
Student Symposia
October 19, 2 p.m., CAE 109听 听鈥淯nder what circumstances is it acceptable to genetically modify a human?鈥 A student symposium led by Dr. Amy Danowitz, Chemistry. This open to all 老司机福利社 seniors. Please contact Dr. Ehret or the ELIES office to confirm attendance.
Contact Us听
Verna Ehret, Ph.D.听
Director, ELIES听
Office: Preston 204听
Phone: 814-824-2532听
Email: elies@mercyhurst.edu