Sign In to Download the Syllabus
The Social Science 110 syllabus is available to enrolled or registered students. Sign in to your UPI Study account to download it instantly — or enroll today to get access.
Once signed in, the syllabus will download automatically. No extra steps.
Ethics in the
Social Sciences
Examine the principles that guide responsible research and practice in fields that work with real people, real data, and real consequences.
What You'll Learn
A full semester of ethics in the social sciences — completed at your own pace, with no deadlines or fixed class times.
What You'll Be Able to Do
- Discuss morality, ethics, and values from diverse perspectives; explore prominent theories such as Kohlberg's stages and Gilligan's gender-based approach to moral development
- Analyze the distinction between consequentialist and non-consequentialist moral viewpoints
- Examine the historical and cultural foundations of ethical theories worldwide
- Apply ethical principles to professional practices in social science fields like counseling and psychology
- Develop skills in ethical decision-making and navigate complex ethical dilemmas in various contexts.
Major Course Topics
Course chapters and lessons
Ethics in the Social Sciences has 11 chapters across 54.5 instructional hours, as listed in the course syllabus. Expand any chapter to see the lessons inside it.
- Chapters
- 11
- Lessons
- 63
- Instructional hours
- 54.5 hrs
- Semester hours
- 3
Chapter 1
Foundations of Morality and Ethical Thinking
- 1.1 Values, Morals, and Ethics: Definitions and Interconnections
- 1.2 Perspectives on Morality: Autonomy, Heteronomy, and Theonomy
- 1.3 Approaches to Morality Studies and Distinguishing Morality from Law and Religion
- 1.4 Core Moral Principles and Their Practical Significance
- 1.5 Kohlberg's Stages and Gilligan's Gender-Based Moral Development Theory
- 1.6 Consequentialist and Non-Consequentialist Moral Frameworks
Chapter 2
Global and Historical Perspectives on Ethical Theory
- 2.1 Historical Foundations and Western Ethical Theories
- 2.2 Eastern and Middle Eastern Ethical Philosophies
- 2.3 Ethical Theories from the Southern Hemisphere and Comparative Analysis
Chapter 3
Ethical Standards Across Social Science Professions
- 3.1 Morality, Self-Serving Bias, and Ethical Codes in Social Science Professions
- 3.2 Ethics in Counseling: ACA Standards and School Counselor Guidelines
- 3.3 Ethical Guidelines for Substance Abuse Counselors and Social Workers
- 3.4 Compliance-Based vs. Integrity-Based Codes and APA Ethics Interpretation
- 3.5 Upholding Professional Integrity and Client Welfare Across Disciplines
- 3.6 Applying Ethical Codes in Real-World Professional Contexts
Chapter 4
Frameworks and Models for Ethical Decision-Making
- 4.1 Decision-Making Models and Ethical Frameworks in Practice
- 4.2 The Hermeneutic Circle and Cultural Considerations in Ethical Decisions
- 4.3 Analyzing Ethical Dilemmas Through Case Studies and Group Contexts
- 4.4 Applying Ethical Decision-Making Frameworks to Real-World Scenarios
Chapter 5
Ethics in Counseling Diverse Populations
- 5.1 Ethical and Legal Responsibilities in Counseling Diverse Populations
- 5.2 Multicultural Counseling: Gender, LGBTQ+, and Inclusive Approaches
- 5.3 Counseling Elderly Populations and Culturally Influenced Decision-Making
- 5.4 Promoting Ethical Interactions Across Diverse Groups and Communities
- 5.5 Cultural Values, Sensitivity, and Their Role in Ethical Counseling Practice
Chapter 6
Professional Boundaries and Ethical Practice in Helping Professions
- 6.1 Counselor Competencies, Client Characteristics, and Professional Standards
- 6.2 Psychology and the Law: Tarasoff Case Study and Legal Intersections
- 6.3 Autonomy, Self-Determination, and Care for Vulnerable Populations
- 6.4 Counseling Limitations, Referral Duties, and Dual Relationship Management
- 6.5 Professional Boundaries in Social Work and Group Counseling Ethics
- 6.6 Ethical Frameworks for Managing Complex Client-Counselor Relationships
- 6.7 Navigating Ethical Challenges in Contemporary Helping Professions
- 6.8 Case Applications: Boundary Violations and Ethical Resolution Strategies
- 6.9 Organizational Policies and Their Role in Supporting Ethical Practice
Chapter 7
Research Ethics in Social Sciences
- 7.1 Fundamentals of Social Science Research and Associated Risks
- 7.2 Ethical Concerns in Sociological and Psychological Research
- 7.3 Legal and Unethical Conduct, Deception, and Research Misconduct
- 7.4 Bias in Statistical Analysis and Misuse of Research Data
- 7.5 Institutional Review Boards and Ethical Oversight in Research
- 7.6 Applying the Scientific Method and Ethical Standards in Decision-Making
- 7.7 Ensuring Ethical Standards Across Experimental and Applied Research
- 7.8 Emerging Ethical Challenges in Contemporary Social Science Research
Chapter 8
Protecting Human Subjects in Research
- 8.1 Safeguarding Human Subjects and the Belmont Report's Influence
- 8.2 Ethical Issues in Mental Health Research and Informed Consent
- 8.3 Tailoring Consent Processes for Special Populations and Crafting Consent Forms
- 8.4 Regulatory Mechanisms, Ethical Dilemmas, and Client-Provider Relationships
- 8.5 Case Studies on Ethical Treatment of Human Research Participants
- 8.6 Participant Rights, Vulnerability, and Institutional Accountability in Research
- 8.7 Applying Ethical Principles to Protect Marginalized Research Populations
Chapter 9
Data Ethics, Confidentiality, and Telehealth
- 9.1 Data Collection Methods and Tool Selection in Human Development Research
- 9.2 Data Analysis, Record Confidentiality, and HIPAA Compliance
- 9.3 Telehealth Services: Overview, Challenges, and Ethical Considerations
- 9.4 Legal and Ethical Issues in Healthcare Informatics and Digital Practice
- 9.5 Integrating Ethical Data Practices Across Research and Clinical Settings
Chapter 10
Intellectual Property, Copyright, and Academic Integrity
- 10.1 Intellectual Property, Legal Frameworks, and Copyright Infringement
- 10.2 Guidelines for Research Reports and Ethical Implications of Global Information Sharing
- 10.3 Understanding Plagiarism: Consequences, Fraud, and Research Misconduct
- 10.4 Intentional vs. Unintentional Plagiarism: Definitions and Case Studies
- 10.5 Academic Integrity Standards and Institutional Enforcement Mechanisms
Chapter 11
Citation, Paraphrasing, and Avoiding Academic Misconduct
- 11.1 Strategies for Avoiding Plagiarism Through Proper Citation Practices
- 11.2 Paraphrasing Techniques and Their Role in Academic Integrity
- 11.3 Case Studies on Intellectual Property, Plagiarism, and Copyright Violations
- 11.4 Building a Culture of Academic Honesty in Research and Writing
- 11.5 Practical Tools and Resources for Maintaining Citation Integrity
These chapters come straight from the official course syllabus, which also sets out the graded assignment and the proctored final exam.
How It Works
Three steps from enrollment to transferable college credit — no campus visits, no application required.
Pick & Enroll
Start one or more courses covering lower or upper division requirements — instantly, today.
Earn College Credit
Watch short video lessons, take quizzes and the final exam — all from home, on your schedule.
Transfer Your Credits
Send earned credits to your school and graduate sooner, at a fraction of the cost.
Does My School Accept This Course?
UPI Study courses carry NCCRS recommendations — the same standard recognized by hundreds of NCCRS cooperating colleges and universities. Check if your school is on our list and move forward with confidence — or schedule a call with our team.
Students Also Enrolled In
Stack multiple courses to build 6, 9, or 12+ transferable college credits — at a fraction of the cost of most campus options.
UPI Study Courses Include
Use ethics in the social sciences to understand people, behavior, and society.
Examine the principles that guide responsible research and practice in fields that work with real people, real data, and real consequences.
🎯 Why It Matters
- Understand what drives human thought, emotion, and behavior
- Build skills applicable in counseling, education, research, and beyond
- Strengthen ethical reasoning and cultural sensitivity
- Applies to careers across healthcare, education, and social services
💼 In-Demand Careers
- Case Manager
- Social Services Coordinator
- Human Resources Specialist
- Counseling Assistant
- Research Assistant
- Community Outreach Coordinator
🚀 How This Sets You Up
- Complete structured lessons and a comprehensive final exam
- Earn 3 transferable college credit hours
- Recognized by NCCRS cooperating universities globally
- Self-paced — no deadlines, no campus visits required
135,000+ Learners.
Real Results.
From college freshmen to career changers, international students to working adults — here's what our community says.
Refer a friend, earn free courses
Your friend gets 25% off their first purchase, and you earn points when they join and buy. 1 point = $1 toward courses, transcripts and Lifetime. Points are never cash.
See how it works →
See the course before you enroll
A 57-second look at Ethics in the Social Sciences.
Common Questions Answered.
Everything you need to know about Ethics in the Social Sciences — credits, grading, transfer, and how it compares to traditional options.
What is Ethics in the Social Sciences?
What will I be able to do after finishing Ethics in the Social Sciences?
Is the Ethics in the Social Sciences course self-paced for college credit?
How many college credits is Ethics in the Social Sciences worth?
How is the Ethics in the Social Sciences course graded? Are there exams?
Will my university accept Ethics in the Social Sciences credits from UPI Study?
Why take Ethics in the Social Sciences online instead of at a traditional university?
Can international students take Ethics in the Social Sciences for college credit?
What's the difference between Ethics in Technology and Ethics in the Social Sciences?
Is this a gen-ed or major-specific course?
Do I need a philosophy background for Ethics in the Social Sciences?
How many credits is this ethics course worth?
Where will my college put this credit?
Still have questions? Our team answers within hours — not days.
Book a Free 15-Min Call with UPI Team →We're Here When You Need Us
Book an Advisor Call
Talk directly with our team about how credits transfer and whether your university accepts them.
WhatsApp Support
Quick answers about credits, course selection, pricing, and transfer policies — over WhatsApp.
Transfer Credit Blog
In-depth guides on testing out of courses, transfer credit policies, ACE evaluations, and saving on tuition.
Find My College
Check how your college treats our courses before you enroll.
Why Take College Credits?
Quick answers about transferable online credits, test-out style learning, and NCCRS-recommended options through UPI Study.
Which universities accept these credits?
UPI Study courses carry NCCRS recommendations recognized by cooperating colleges and universities across the U.S., Canada, and UK.
Who can take self-paced college courses?
Anyone can enroll — including high school students, incoming college students, adult learners, and students trying to test out of traditional courses.
Why choose this over traditional classes?
Save time and reduce tuition costs. Many students complete prerequisites faster and shorten their time to graduation — at a fraction of the cost.
How many credits can I earn?
This course is NCCRS-recommended for 3 semester credit hours. Transfer as many credits as your university allows — students have transferred anywhere from 3 to 90+ credits depending on their school's policy.
Everything You Need to Succeed
Video-Based Lessons
HD video lectures broken into short, focused modules. Watch at your own pace — pause, rewind, replay any time.
Quizzes & Final Exam
Evaluate your understanding after every section with quizzes and a comprehensive final exam that mirrors real college assessment.
Structured College-Level Course
Structured lessons covering every topic — designed as a standard Ethics in the Social Sciences college-level course.
Official Transcript
Complete the course, request your transcript, and transfer 3 credit hours to cooperating universities. No separate exam required.
Earn 3 College Credits
for $250.
Self-paced. No deadlines. NCCRS-recommended, recognized by NCCRS cooperating universities. Join 135,000+ learners on the UPI Study platform.