Philanthropy: Ethics and Practice

In this course we will explore important philosophical, political, and practical questions concerning philanthropy. We will ask philosophical questions about altruism, justice, and the ethics of giving. We will examine organizations within the American charitable sector and the political, material, and cultural forces that shape them. We will combine these two perspectives—philosophical and structural—to gain a better understanding of what philanthropy is or means today. We will then put these perspectives into action. Using what we have learned, in a final group project students will evaluate different charitable organizations and present their findings to the class.