The Ethics of Immigration
During the Fall 2015 semester, students studied the philosophy of ethics through close readings of Michael Sandel’s, Justice. They applied philosophical concepts to the problem of immigration and border policy. My humanities class collaborated with Francisco Hernandez’s Spanish class, in which students produced Day of the Dead altars. The semester ended with a “salon night” exhibition of learning that included small-group conversations between parents and students, skits, and Day of the Dead altar displays dedicated to immigrants who died crossing the border, leaders in the immigration movement, and philosophers. The class included close-readings from Justice, independent reading, supplemental articles, and argument writing.
Guiding Questions: What ethical perspective is the most just? Should the U.S. have an open or closed immigration policy? What responsibilities do sovereign states have to non-citizens? Is free-trade (e.g. NAFTA) the problem or the solution for global poverty and the incentive to emigrate? What policy is the most just regarding the children of undocumented workers (e.g. the Dream Act)? What policy is the most just regarding children and/or families who immigrate due to human trafficking or narcotics trafficking?
Guiding Questions: What ethical perspective is the most just? Should the U.S. have an open or closed immigration policy? What responsibilities do sovereign states have to non-citizens? Is free-trade (e.g. NAFTA) the problem or the solution for global poverty and the incentive to emigrate? What policy is the most just regarding the children of undocumented workers (e.g. the Dream Act)? What policy is the most just regarding children and/or families who immigrate due to human trafficking or narcotics trafficking?
Photos of Altars and School-wide Exhibition