Program: Certificate in Practical Adult Knowledge and Competence (CPAK)

Credits: 3

Delivery Mode: Hybrid / Online / In-person

Duration: 12 weeks (or 8-week accelerated format)

Prerequisites: None

Instructor Qualifications:

Master’s degree or higher in ethics, philosophy, education, social science, or cultural studies; demonstrated experience teaching ethics, communication, or intercultural competence to adult learners.

I. Course Description

This course equips adult learners with the ethical reasoning, cultural awareness, and moral discernment necessary to live and work responsibly in a diverse and interconnected world. It provides a framework for understanding how values, beliefs, and social structures shape human behavior—and how to respond with empathy, integrity, and wisdom.

Through applied ethics, cross-cultural communication, and reflective practice, students learn to analyze dilemmas, bridge differences, and cultivate moral consistency across personal, professional, and civic life. The course emphasizes not ideological alignment but ethical literacy and self-awareness—helping adults think critically, act responsibly, and engage respectfully with others whose values differ.

II. Rationale

In modern societies, most ethical and cultural education ends in adolescence, leaving adults to navigate moral and intercultural complexity without explicit guidance. As workplaces, communities, and digital spaces become more interconnected, adults need structured frameworks for ethical reflection and cultural competence.

This course fills a critical gap in adult learning by teaching how to reason morally, communicate across differences, and act with integrity in the face of competing values. It advances the CPAK mission to develop reflective, ethical, and civically engaged adults who can sustain cooperation and trust in diverse societies.

III. Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, learners will be able to:

Define and apply core ethical concepts and frameworks to real-world moral dilemmas. Demonstrate self-awareness regarding personal values, biases, and moral development. Communicate with empathy and cultural sensitivity across diverse backgrounds. Analyze ethical and cultural conflicts in workplace, digital, and civic settings. Exercise moral courage and integrity in decision-making and leadership. Integrate ethics and cultural understanding into a coherent lifelong practice.

IV. Course Structure and Progression

The course is organized into six major instructional units, each building conceptual understanding, reflection, and applied competence.

Unit 1: Understanding Ethics and Culture in Modern Life (Weeks 1–2)

Focus: Establishing foundational awareness of moral and cultural complexity in adult life.

Key Topics:

The ethics deficit in modern adulthood Distinguishing ethics from laws, customs, and opinions What culture is and how it shapes values The moral implications of pluralism and technology

Activities:

Self-assessment: identifying personal values and moral influences Group discussion: “Are moral disagreements solvable?” Reading analysis: moral confusion in digital culture

Deliverables:

Reflection Journal #1: My Moral Landscape Short Quiz: Core Ethical and Cultural Concepts

Unit 2: Building Ethical Literacy and Self-Awareness (Weeks 3–4)

Focus: Understanding moral frameworks and developing awareness of personal moral reasoning.

Key Topics:

Major ethical frameworks (virtue, duty, consequence, care) How emotions, habits, and reasoning interact in moral judgment Self-knowledge: bias, motivation, and integrity Accountability and responsibility in ethical action

Activities:

Case study: ethical decision in workplace or community context Personal reflection on moral identity formation Discussion: “When have I compromised or upheld my integrity?”

Deliverables:

Ethical Dilemma Analysis Paper Reflection Journal #2: Understanding My Ethical Biases

Unit 3: Developing Cultural Competence (Weeks 5–6)

Focus: Learning to interpret, respect, and navigate cultural differences without losing moral grounding.

Key Topics:

Defining culture, subculture, and worldview Communication across difference: high vs. low context, direct vs. indirect Cultural humility and self-reflection Empathy, curiosity, and perspective-taking

Activities:

Cultural mapping exercise: analyzing your own and another’s culture Role-play: managing cross-cultural misunderstanding Workshop: respectful disagreement and curiosity practice

Deliverables:

Intercultural Reflection Report Reflection Journal #3: How My Culture Shapes My Ethics

Unit 4: Ethics and Culture in Applied Contexts (Weeks 7–8)

Focus: Applying ethical and cultural frameworks to modern, real-world situations.

Key Topics:

Workplace ethics and professional integrity Digital ethics: privacy, speech, and truth in online spaces Moral decision-making in groups and organizations Ethics of leadership and influence

Activities:

Case study workshop: analyzing workplace or digital ethical challenges Group discussion: “What does integrity look like online?” Debate: balancing freedom and respect in digital communication

Deliverables:

Applied Ethics Case Report Reflection Journal #4: Ethics in the Digital Age

Unit 5: Integrating Moral Courage and Cultural Responsibility (Weeks 9–10)

Focus: Exploring moral courage, civic engagement, and ethical action in community life.

Key Topics:

Standing for truth and justice in complex environments The ethics of advocacy, privilege, and power Building trust and cooperation across differences The relationship between private virtue and public responsibility

Activities:

Historical or contemporary case study: ethical courage in action Group reflection on ethical failure and recovery Dialogue exercise: “How do we disagree ethically?”

Deliverables:

Ethical Leadership Analysis Reflection Journal #5: Courage, Compassion, and Responsibility

Unit 6: Lifelong Ethical and Cultural Growth (Weeks 11–12)

Focus: Synthesizing ethical frameworks and cultural literacy into personal philosophy and practice.

Key Topics:

Integrating moral reflection into life systems Building a personal ethical constitution Lifelong learning, humility, and stewardship Mentorship and modeling ethics for others

Activities:

Capstone Workshop: drafting a personal ethical and cultural portfolio Peer feedback on moral growth statements Final reflection: what ethical maturity means in modern adulthood

Deliverables:

Capstone Project: Personal Ethics and Culture Portfolio Final Essay: Living Wisely in a Complex World

V. Teaching and Learning Methods

Instructional Philosophy

This course is based on andragogical (adult learning) and transformational education models emphasizing:

Personal reflection before external critique. Dialogue and empathy as vehicles of moral learning. Integration of knowledge, emotion, and experience.

Learning Strategies Include:

Mini-lectures: to present ethical theories and cultural models. Case studies: realistic moral dilemmas across work, community, and digital life. Role-play and dialogue: practicing empathy and negotiation. Reflective journaling: connecting content to personal experiences. Peer review: learning from diverse moral and cultural perspectives.

VI. Assessment and Evaluation

Assessment Component

Weight

Purpose

Reflection Journals (5 total)

15%

Encourage ongoing moral self-awareness and integration

Quizzes and Worksheets

10%

Assess comprehension of ethical and cultural concepts

Ethical Dilemma Analysis

15%

Practice applying moral reasoning to real scenarios

Intercultural Reflection Report

15%

Demonstrate cross-cultural awareness and empathy

Applied Ethics Case Report

15%

Analyze practical ethics in modern contexts

Ethical Leadership Analysis

10%

Explore courage, justice, and public responsibility

Capstone Portfolio: Personal Ethics and Culture Plan

20%

Synthesize all competencies into lifelong application

Capstone Portfolio Components:

Personal Ethical Constitution Cultural Awareness Map Reflection Essays on Growth and Dilemmas Future Development Plan for Ethical Leadership

VII. Learning Materials

Primary Text:

Ethical and Cultural Competence for Adults: Living Wisely in a Complex World (Torah University Press).

Supplementary Readings:

Jonathan Haidt, The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion Martha Nussbaum, Creating Capabilities Kwame Anthony Appiah, Cosmopolitanism: Ethics in a World of Strangers Rushworth Kidder, How Good People Make Tough Choices Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) and related open-access materials Articles from Journal of Moral Education, Harvard Business Review ethics cases

VIII. Accessibility and Support

All readings and exercises available in print and digital formats. Video lectures and transcripts available for hybrid learners. Discussion boards for intergroup dialogue moderated for respectful exchange. Optional mentorship pairing for applied ethical reflection.

IX. Evaluation of Course Effectiveness

Pre- and post-assessment of ethical reasoning and cultural empathy. Instructor evaluations measuring learner engagement and moral reasoning depth. Peer and self-assessment in capstone portfolios. Longitudinal reflection surveys for alumni tracking moral and cultural application in life and work.

X. Implementation Timeline

Pilot Offering: Fall 2027 (Hybrid format) Feedback and Revision: Spring 2028 Full Integration: Summer 2028 into CPAK core curriculum

Program Cluster Alignment:

This course aligns with:

Communication, Media, and Digital Literacy (PAK 105) — empathy and discourse ethics Health, Nutrition, and Wellness Literacy (PAK 106) — ethical stewardship of body and community Practical Life Skills and Systems Navigation (PAK 107) — ethical behavior within systems Together these form the Moral, Interpersonal, and Civic Competence Cluster of the CPAK certificate.

XI. Sample Assignments

Ethical Dilemma Analysis: Apply multiple ethical frameworks to a workplace or civic moral issue. Cultural Reflection Project: Interview or observe a culturally distinct group and reflect on communication patterns. Digital Ethics Audit: Evaluate your online presence for integrity, respect, and fairness. Moral Courage Profile: Research a figure known for ethical leadership and present lessons learned. Capstone Portfolio: Develop and defend a personal ethical framework integrating cultural humility and moral conviction.

XII. Grading Scale

Percentage

Grade

Descriptor

90–100%

A

Exceptional moral reasoning and applied understanding

80–89%

B

Strong conceptual and practical competence

70–79%

C

Basic comprehension with developing application

60–69%

D

Limited understanding or superficial reflection

<60%

F

Incomplete or insufficient engagement with moral and cultural learning

XIII. Institutional and Civic Impact

This course aims to form adults who are ethically grounded, culturally literate, and socially responsible—capable of reasoning through moral conflict, communicating across difference, and modeling integrity in personal and civic life.

Graduates will:

Engage ethically in workplaces, communities, and online environments. Build bridges of understanding in multicultural and multigenerational contexts. Demonstrate moral courage and reflective citizenship. Serve as mentors, mediators, and models of principled adulthood.

By cultivating ethical reasoning and cultural empathy, PAK 108 strengthens both the moral coherence of individuals and the civic trust essential for healthy societies.

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