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Faculty Profile

Amy McKiernan

(she/they)Assistant Professor of Philosophy; Director, Ethics Across Campus & the Curriculum (2017)

Contact Information

mckierna@dickinson.edu

East College Room 204
https://www.dickinson.edu/homepage/1254/ethics_across_campus_and_the_curriculum

Bio

Amy McKiernan received her Ph.D. in philosophy from Vanderbilt University in 2017, where she focused on ethics and feminist philosophy. Prior to that, Amy earned her M.A. in philosophy and social policy from American University in 2011 and her B.A. in philosophy from The University of Scranton in 2007. At Dickinson, Amy regularly teaches “Practical Ethics,” “Biomedical Ethics,” and “Philosophy of Punishment.” She is working on a book project on the ethics of care in practice. Amy also serves as the Director of the Ethics Across Campus & the Curriculum program.

Education

  • B.A., The University of Scranton, 2007
  • M.A., American University, 2011
  • Ph.D., Vanderbilt University, 2017

2022-2023 Academic Year

Fall 2022

PHIL 104 Practical Ethics
This course introduces students to contemporary debates in practical ethics. Course materials investigate how theoretical approaches to ethics apply to practical issues, including discussions of animal ethics, environmental ethics, reproductive ethics, civil disobedience, and the ethics of mass incarceration and the death penalty. This course is best suited for students interested in thinking about the relationship between ethical theory and practice, with an emphasis on how power, privilege, and responsibility intersect in our everyday lives.

PHIL 261 Environmental Ethics
Examination of specific problem, author, text, or movement. Prerequisite: one prior course in philosophy or permission of the instructor.

PHIL 500 Independent Study

Spring 2023

PHIL 104 Practical Ethics
This course introduces students to contemporary debates in practical ethics. Course materials investigate how theoretical approaches to ethics apply to practical issues, including discussions of animal ethics, environmental ethics, reproductive ethics, civil disobedience, and the ethics of mass incarceration and the death penalty. This course is best suited for students interested in thinking about the relationship between ethical theory and practice, with an emphasis on how power, privilege, and responsibility intersect in our everyday lives.

WGSS 301 Ethical Theory
Cross-listed with PHIL 302-01. This seminar will explore major issues or texts in classical or contemporary moral philosophy.

PHIL 302 Ethical Theory
Cross-listed with WGSS 301-05.

PHIL 500 Feminist Care Ethics

PHIL 500 Independent Study