Wed. August 9 – Thu. 17, 2023 / Rochefort-du-Gard, France
Summary outline
This seminar is intended to examine how different methods of research can contribute to an exploration of values, principles and normative issues. We will look at traditional methods of ethics research coming out of philosophy, law and religious studies, but also at empirical methods, mathematical modeling, and the use of the arts. Particular attention will be paid to the ways in which these different methods conflict as well as complement one another.
Methods of instruction
Whereas internationally renowned experts in ethics will introduce various themes, the core of this seminar will be a sustained conversation and critical debate among all participants, with ample time for personal reflection and cultural enrichment.
Submissions by participants
Each participant is invited and indeed encouraged to prepare a short presentation, to be given during the seminar. While this presentation may cover a completed ethics project, the primary purpose of these breakout sessions is to present a “work-in-progress” or even a project in the earliest planning phase. Graduate students whose master or doctoral thesis will include a normative component are especially encouraged to enroll. For each presentation, at least 45 minutes will be set aside for an in-depth discussion of the methodological aspects.
Educational team
- Jos V.M. Welie, MA, MMedS, JD, PhD (Course Director). Founding President of the St. André International Center for Ethics and Integrity (France); Professor of Interdisciplinary Normative Science at Maastricht University (Netherlands); Professor Emeritus of Medical Humanities at Creighton University (Omaha, USA)
- Pim Martens, PhD, PhD, Professor of Planetary Health at Maastricht University and Dean of University College Venlo (Netherlands)
- Alex Rödlach, MA, PhD. Professor of Anthropology at Creighton University (Omaha, USA)
- Linda Scheirton, RDH, MA, PhD. Professor emerita of health care ethics at Creighton University (Omaha, USA)
J. Welie 
P. Martens 
A. Rödlach 
L. Scheirton
Program
TUESDAY AUGUST 9
Afternoon
Early arrival (optional)
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 10: FOUNDATIONAL CHALLENGES
Afternoon
Regular arrival, registration
15:30 – 16:30
Welcome and introductions
16:30 – 17:30
1st plenary session: Reflections on method (JW)
17:30 – 18:30
Break
18:30 – 20:00
Dinner
20:00 – 21:30
2nd plenary session: Methodological challenges involved in normative research (JW)
THURSDAY AUGUST 11: METHODS FROM THE HUMANITIES
9:00 – 10:30
3rd plenary session: Casuistry and thought experiments (JW)
10:30 – 11:00
Coffee break
11:00 – 12:30
Small group sessions – applications and discussion
12:30 – 14:00
Lunch
14:00 – 15:30
4th plenary session: Examination and interpretation of doctrinal texts / Prayer, meditation and discernment as ethical methods (JW / AR)
15:30 – 16:00
Coffee break
16:00 – 17:30
Small group sessions – applications and discussion
17:30 – 18:30
Time for individual meetings
18:30 – 20:00
Dinner
20:00 – 21:30
Social program / info about upcoming cultural excursion
FRIDAY AUGUST 11: SOCIAL SCIENCE METHODS
9:00 – 10:30
Breakout session (participant presentations)
10:30 – 11:00
Coffee break
11:00 – 12:30
Observation, ethnography and (philosophical) phenomenology (AR / JW)
12:30 – 14:00
Lunch
Afternoon
Outing: cultural program
Dinner on your own
SATURDAY AUGUST 12
9:00 – 10:30
6th plenary session: Interviews, focus groups, surveys and community based research (AR)
10:30 – 11:00
Coffee break
11:00 – 12:30
Breakout session (participant presentations)
12:30 – 14:00
Lunch
14:00 – 15:30
7th plenary session: Ethical restrictions on human subjects research (LS)
15:30 – 16:00
Coffee break
16:00 – 17:30
Breakout session (participant presentations)
17:30 – 18:30
Time for individual meetings
18:30 – 20:00
Dinner
20:00 – 21:30
Social Program
SUNDAY AUGUST 13: OPEN
All day
Optional outings to choose from
MONDAY AUGUST 14: FOUNDATIONAL CHALLENGES (CONTINUED)
9:00 – 10:30
8th plenary session: Indigenous sources, cultural diversity versus cultural relativism (PM & JW)
10:30 – 11:00
Coffee break
11:00 – 12:30
Small group sessions – applications and discussion
12:30 – 14:00
Lunch
Afternoon
Outing: cultural program
Dinner on your own
TUESDAY AUGUST 15: MATHEMATICAL METHODS
9:00 – 10:30
9th plenary session: Mathematical modeling in normative assessments (PM)
10:30 – 11:00
Coffee break
11:00 – 12:30
Breakout session (participant presentations)
12:30 – 14:00
Lunch
FOUNDATIONAL CHALLENGES (CONTINUED)
14:00 – 15:30
10th plenary session: Integration across disciplinary methods / Multidisciplinarity – Interdisciplinarity – Postdisciplinarity (PM & JW)
15:30 – 16:00
Coffee break
16:00 – 17:30
Breakout session (participant presentations)
17:30 – 18:30
Time for individual meetings
18:30 – 20:00
Dinner
20:00 – 21:30
Social program
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 16: ART AS METHOD
9:00 – 10:30
11th plenary session: Artistic productions and interpretations (JW)
10:30 – 11:00
Coffee break
Afternoon
Outing: Cultural program
Evening
Final dinner
THURSDAY AUGUST 17
9:00 – 10:30
Breakout session (participant presentations)
10:30 – 11:30
Coffee break
11:00 – 12:30
Breakout session (participant presentations)
12:30 – 14:00
Lunch
14:00 – 15:00
Key ideas from the student presentations
15:00 – 15:30
Seminar evaluation & final thoughts
15:30
End of seminar & departure
FRIDAY AUGUST 18
Early morning
Optional late departure
Language
The seminar is held in English. There will not be simultaneous language in other languages. However, non-native speakers should not hesitate to enroll, as long as they have solid conversational competency in English. The members of the instructional team are either non-native speakers themselves, or have extensive experience working in other countries and conversing across language barriers. What matters is a willingness to engage in the discussions and not be worried about linguistic imperfections.
Certificate
Each educational program of the St André International Center for Ethics and Integrity is assessed by its Curriculum Committee, consisting of highly experienced educators and researchers from various of universities around the world. Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion, detailing the course description, contact hours completed, learning objectives, instructional modalities and other pertinent information.
Registration & fee
Attendance is limited to 20 participants. Registration for the seminar can be done via the online registration form. We will let you know within 72 hours if there still is availability.
The seminar fee schedule is as follows:
Regular (applicable as long as spots remain): US$ 1685 (or Euro 1575)
— Early payment in full (i.e., before June 20): US$ 1585 (or Euro 1480)
(Graduate) student (upon proof of student status): US$ 1295 (or Euro 1210)
— Early student payment in full (i.e., before June 20): US$ 1195 (or Euro 1115)
This fee includes:
- Attendance of all educational sessions
- All course materials
- 8 days of residence in a single room (with private bathroom)*
- All breakfasts and coffee breaks, as well as most lunches and dinners
- 2 programmed excursions
- Pick-up (at arrival) and drop-off (at departure) at the Avignon-TGV train station
- Transportation to a choice of regional sites on the day-off (middle of seminar)
* If available, at a charge of Euro 35/night (incl. breakfast), an extra night can be booked before the start of the seminar (night from August 8 to 9), and likewise an extra night at the end of the seminar (night from August 17 to 18).
The conference center also has double rooms. Please contact the conference organization if you wish to share a bedroom with another course participant, or if you wish to bring a partner who will not attend the seminar. A limited social program for non-participants will be available at an extra fee.
Additional information
For all questions about this seminar, please use the contact button below.