With December fast approaching, the end of the Fall academic semester is coming to a close. This past semester has been highly successful for CINF’s Ethics Institute, only established this past April. In a few short months, the Institute has already done much to strengthen and expand the Ethics Bowl activities offered through the Manhattanville College Philosophy Department.
These initiatives began with two courses in Logic and Ethics offered to principals and teachers of local high schools. Courses were organized by our Course Director, each enrolling 10-15 teachers from a variety of public and private schools including John S. Burke Catholic, North Rockland, Montfort Academy, The Magnet School, Poughkeepsie, the French American School of NY, Holy Child, George F. Baker, Montrose School, Coney Island Prep, and Siamanto Academy with the Armenian Apostolic Prelacy in NY. Teachers attending our courses were encouraged to coach teams at their respective schools to participate in this year’s upcoming Regional High School Ethics Bowl.
Likewise to prepare college undergraduate students at Manhattanville College to engage with their younger peers as judges, the Institute organized a credit-bearing internships program. The internship, led by the Institute’s Ethics Bowl Coordinator, trains participants to develop logical and ethical thinking skills and then encourages them to practice these skills in open discussion. This semester, the internship enrolled nearly 20 participants. Several participants have asked for additional responsibilities to help the Institute grow. Our Bowl Coordinator is now working with these interns to establish an official website for the Institute which will include access to a student-run podcast and blog.
Most exciting of all is the Institute’s progress regarding Bowl events themselves. The Regional event annually organized by the Philosophy Department is growing quickly. Seven local high schools are already registered for this year’s competition. The Institute anticipates as many as twelve schools will participate this coming February. We expect anywhere from 70 to 120 high school students will participate.
The Institute also is in the process of establishing new Bowls that will reach beyond the high school sphere. The Institute has already organized several Intramural Bowls involving Manhattanville students and alumni. An online semi-final and final Intramural competition will be held this coming December 12th. An all new local Junior High Ethics Bowl, with the help of a school solicitation team put together by the Institute consisting of teachers, principals, and a former superintendent, is currently being organized for the Spring semester. A very promising International Bowl is also in the works.
These updates are only the beginning of the Institute’s success. We expect more great news to come!