- Chapter 1: Sustainable Development and the Need for Ethics in Action
- Chapter 2: The History of Sustainable Development and the SDGs
- Chapter 3: The Moral and Practical Limits of Global Capitalism
- Chapter 4: Moral Teachings and Sustainable Development: An Overview from the World’s Religions
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Ethics in Action
Learn about the concept of virtue ethics and the challenges of sustainable development in edX's Ethics in an Action certification course.
Intermediate
Online
10 Weeks
03 Jul, 2025 - 31 Aug, 2025
Enrollment Date
Quick facts
particular | details | ||
---|---|---|---|
Medium of instructions
English
|
Mode of learning
Self study
|
Mode of Delivery
Video and Text Based
|
Learning efforts
2-4 Hours Per Week
|
Course overview
Ethics in Action programme is an intermediate course that focuses on the moral challenges of sustainable development and the idea of virtue ethics which is extremely relevant today. The programme curriculum has been curated by SDGAcademyX and is spread throughout 10 modules. It also aims to explain what virtue ethics mean in different major philosophical and religious traditions. Further, you will learn about the biggest world challenges such as poverty, climate change, corruption, etc.
The Ethics in Action online course calls for virtue ethics to make our world and future more peaceful and sustainable. You will be introduced to the concepts of ethics in action, religion and virtue ethics, environmental justice, politics, and power and more. This learning programme includes video chapters, case studies, extra readings, a discussion forum, and other learning resources to help you excel.
Moreover, you also have the option to purchase a verified certificate after completing the Ethics in Action certification programme. Also, the 'Verified Track' will provide you with unlimited access to the course material, feedback, and graded assignments. For free, the candidates can audit the self-paced programme for a limited period.
The highlights
- Intermediate-level study
- Flexible schedule
- Course surveys
- Self-paced course
- Discussions during course
- Final exam
- Financial aid option available
- Set weekly learning goals
Program offerings
- Flexible learning
- Free to audit
- No prerequisites
- Offered by sdgacademyx
- Discussions and feedback
- Edx support
- Intermediate-level study
Course and certificate fees
certificate availability
Eligibility criteria
The Ethics in Action programme by edX doesn't have any minimum requirements. If interested, you can simply enrol in the course.
Certificate Qualifying Details
Moreover, to be eligible for the Ethics in Action certificate, you must upgrade to the 'Verified Track' and complete the course successfully. Also, you must clear the final exam.
What you will learn
On completing the Ethics in Action certification syllabus, you will have learnt:
- What is meant by virtue ethics?
- The idea of virtue ethics in philosophy and religion
- How to advance sustainable development by establishing multi-faith consensus
- Why should faith communities get involved in peace and development?
- How virtue ethics can create a prosperous and peaceful world
- Motivating religious leaders, politicians, professionals in business and civil society through ethics
Who it is for
The Ethics in Action programme is meant for the following communities and individuals interested in sustainable development, global issues, Philosophy, Theology, religion, and more:
- Religious and spiritual individuals and communities
- Graduate and advanced undergraduate students
- Development professionals
Admission details
- Ethics in Action programme web page is available here: https://www.edx.org/learn/ethics/sdg-academy-ethics-in-action
- Create an account on the website before you proceed further.
- After logging into your account, click on ‘Enrol now’.
- Choose the study mode and decide whether you want to learn for free or pay for the certificate.
Filling the form
You must sign up on the edX website to enrol in Ethics in Action certification. To sign up, click on ‘Enrol now’ on the course page, and you will be asked to fill in your name, email ID, username, password, country, etc.
After entering these details, you can sign up and keep yourself logged in to enrol in a course. The other alternative is simply using your existing social accounts on Google/Facebook/Microsoft/Apple and sign-in directly.
The syllabus
Module 1 : Introduction to Ethics In Action
Module 2 : Religion and Virtue Ethics - Part I
- Chapter 1: Lessons from Classical Greece
- Chapter 2: Lessons from Classical China
- Chapter 3: A Hindu Perspective
- Chapter 4: A Buddhist Perspective
Module 3 : Religion and Virtue Ethics - Part II
- Chapter 1: A Jewish Perspective
- Chapter 2: A Catholic Perspective
- Chapter 3: A Protestant Evangelical Perspective
- Chapter 4: An Islamic Perspective
- Chapter 5: An Indigenous Perspective
Module 4 : The Virtuous Society
- Chapter 1: Virtue Ethics as a Multi-Religious Consensus
- Chapter 2: Inquiry and Moral Reasoning
- Chapter 3: Spirituality and the Common Good
- Chapter 4: Virtue Ethics and Science
- Chapter 5. Gender Equality: A Confucian Perspective
Module 5 : Poverty and Inequality
- Chapter 1: The Challenge of Global Poverty
- Chapter 2: The Rights to Health, Education, and Decent Work
- Chapter 3: Christian Social Teachings on Poverty
- Chapter 4: Ethical Conduct Towards the Vulnerable
- Chapter 5: Ethical Actions to End Poverty
Module 6 : Peace
- Chapter 1: The State of Conflict around the World
- Chapter 2: Barriers to Lasting Peace among and within Nations
- Chapter 3: Tenets of Peace of the World’s Religions
- Chapter 4: Religion and Peacebuilding
- Chapter 5: Actions for a Lasting Peace: Lessons from Syria
Module 7 : Refugees, Trafficking, and Modern Slavery
- Chapter 1: Drivers of Migration, Human Trafficking, and Modern
- Chapter 2: The Ethics of Migration and Refugees
- Chapter 3: The Ethics of Modern Slavery and Trafficking
- Chapter 4: Political and Social Responses to Forced Migration
Module 8 : Environmental Justice
- Chapter 1: Environmental Perils Facing the Planet
- Chapter 2: A Hindu Approach to Environmental Care
- Chapter 3: Laudato Si’ and Climate Justice
- Chapter 4: The Rights of Indigenous Populations
- Chapter 5: Defending our Common Home: Global and Local Actions
Module 9 : Politics and Power
- Chapter 1: Politics, Power, and the Common Good
- Chapter 2: The Moral Underpinnings of Statecraft
- Chapter 3: Ethics and the International Political Order
- Chapter 4: Corruption and Politics Today
Module 10 : Business, Work, and the Common Good
- Chapter 1: The Moral Basis for Business Activity
- Chapter 2: Corruption and Global Business
- Chapter 3: Technology and the Dignity of Work
- Chapter 4: Business Leadership for Community Well-being
Course Conclusion
- Towards a New Virtue Ethics for Sustainable Development
- Examining Ethics in Action: Case Studies
- Concluding Discussion
- Reflection Journey - Part III
- Final Exam (Verified Track only)
- Post-Course Survey
How it helps
The Ethics in Action certification course teaches the highly relevant subject of ethics and their role in sustainable development and peaceful living. You can learn this course for free and access most of the material by auditing the course. However, the programme also provides a certificate that will be a useful addition to your resume and help you get better professional opportunities.
Instructors
Mr Jeffrey D. Sachs
Professor
Columbia University,...
FAQs
The audit track for the course does not include any instructor support.
The lessons in Ethics in Action certification will be self-paced to help you learn anytime.
The program does not have any prerequisites.
Yes, the course includes multiple module discussions throughout the tenure.
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