PSYCH 6315

Moral Change

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2023-2024.

Morality changes constantly. What is wrong in one situation is right in another. Children acquire new moral principles as they grow older. And over human history, societies have transformed their views on how to treat its members. How is moral change possible? And what is its direction—if it has one? In this seminar, we will engage with diverse perspectives on moral change. Readings will come from developmental, cognitive, and social psychological research on morality, as well as philosophy, history, and other related fields. Students will participate in weekly discussions, give a class presentation, and submit a final paper.

When Offered Spring.

Permission Note Enrollment limited to: graduate students.

Comments Recommended prerequisite: graduate coursework in human development, psychology or related fields.

• Understand major theoretical perspectives on situational, developmental, and historical moral change.
• Know key studies and findings about change, and how these support or challenge theoretical positions.
• Learn to summarize, synthesize, and criticize empirical and theoretical work on morality change.

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