Ethics, Culture, and Society

Champion your future with an emphasis on ethics and culture through a highly customizable interdisciplinary program.

Program Information

Put Your Passion to Work with Your Bachelor of Science Degree in Ethics, Culture, and Society

In our ethics, culture, and society program, you have the freedom to chart your own course of study as you participate in service learning, internships, research, study abroad, and cultural immersion experiences

Our program’s focus on critical thinking, communication skills, and concern for collaborative, real-world problem-solving will help you solve the increasingly complicated challenges of the global society we live in. Through interdisciplinary studies, you will develop a robust package of transferable skills that employers in a variety of fields express interest in when seeking new employees. These skills can be applied in careers in law, public relations, writing, human resources, media, and many more.

Four degree tracks

Internship, research and study abroad opportunities

Eight minors

Ethics, Culture, and Society (BS)

Viterbo’s interdisciplinary program combines courses from at least two academic disciplines, including history, philosophy, and art. Our program emphasizes collaborative problem-solving and community engagement. Personal choice will drive your pathway, with interdisciplinary studies focused on perspectives and creativity applied to real-world issues in the La Crosse community and beyond. Course-embedded assignments are connected to the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethical Leadership series of speakers and annual conference.

Art (Track)

Art is a timeless means of communicating human experiences. Artistic, creative abilities help move our civilization forward. When you choose the art emphasis at Viterbo, you will learn what it means to recognize and create sound works of art and to understand the art forms of cultures throughout history. You will be provided with meaningful study and practice in artistic methods, techniques, and media, embedded with intellectual inquiry and critical analysis.

History (Track)

Our history emphasis will prepare you with a wealth of knowledge—both past and present—and encourage curiosity and mindfulness of the events that have shaped civilization around the world. You will learn to connect ideas across cultures, which will serve you well in your education and career. Studying history grants you a unique opportunity to supplement your skills in written and oral communication, while also learning to be an informed citizen of the world.

Philosophy (Track)

Philosophy is being recognized more and more as one of the strongest and most versatile fields of study. In fact, we live in an age where employers want employees to be more than just knowledgeable in their chosen field; employers want critical thinkers, clear communicators, and ethical decision-makers. These skills are central to the study of philosophy. This emphasis is a great supplement for those going into the business world, law, or public policy.

Legal Studies (Minor)

In our legal studies minor, you will explore legal issues in a variety of ways. This minor is perfect if you want to apply to law school upon graduation and wish to gain an intellectual base in legal studies at the undergraduate level. Legal studies is also relevant if you have an interest in the law and pursue the minor in order to complement your major—generally one in the humanities. The minor includes courses in business law, philosophy, and criminal justice courses and consists of 18 credit hours.

Art (Minor)

The minor consists of an 18-credit sequence of courses in studio art and art history. You will take two foundations courses, one course in art history, and nine credits in studio electives. Studio courses are offered in painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, photography, and graphic design.

Philosophy (Minor)

Gain the critical thinking, communication, and ethical decision-making skills that employers seek. The ethics, culture, and society philosophy minor generally requires 15–25 credits for completion. Course transfers, waivers, and/or substitutions could modify these credit totals.

Ethics (Minor)

The minor in ethics recognizes both the interdisciplinary nature of many moral problems as well as the value of ethical reasoning and ethical theory. Employers state that moral decision-making is one of the most important skills they seek, yet this area is rarely recognized as a specific area of competency. Given the importance of ethics and moral reasoning for students’ own personal development, as well as its value for recognizing and resolving moral problems both in and out of the workplace, having a minor in ethics is a great way to prepare to deal with the complexity of the real world.

Political Science (Minor)

Our political science minor deepens your knowledge on how governments, institutions, public policy, and political behavior work in the modern world. This minor is perfect if you plan to enter a career in government service, public policy, journalism, or a related profession. Political science can also help you prepare for law school and other graduate programs.

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History (Minor)

Supplement your skills in written and oral communication, while also learning to be an informed citizen of the world. The history minor generally requires between 15–25 credits for completion. Course transfers, waivers, and/or substitutions could modify these credit totals.

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Servant Leadership (Minor)

Develop and deepen your vocation to engage in competent, creative, and faithful leadership that works for the common good. Choose this minor if you plan on serving as a leader in ministry, nonprofit organizations, or business. Completing a total of 15 credits in the minor is required.

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Latin American and Latino/a Studies (Minor)

The Spanish language is ever-growing in popularity, and now almost 15% of Americans speak it. Having an enriched knowledge of Latin culture and the Spanish language is a valuable trait in modern America. This minor can help you enrich a skill set that is valuable in health care, education, business, social work, and communication fields.

Pre-Law (Track)

Students interested in a law career are individually counseled by the pre-law advisor, who suggests a program of study and provides information on law school application. Keep in mind that maintenance of a relatively high undergraduate grade point average is very important for successful law school admission. Recommended undergraduate fields of study include: accounting, criminal justice, English, management, and psychology.

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