Ethics in Culture

Spirit Halloween released a costume for Halloween 2015 in the likeness of Caitlin Jenner’s Vanity Fair magazine cover. The immediate reaction of many was one of disgust, feeling that the costume was mocking the former Olympian and her recent transition. Others were concerned that the costume perpetuates a transphobic view.

Examining the controversy behind a film's re-imagining of the 1969 Stonewall Inn riot.

Marvel's latest film shows the ethical quandaries of technology and warfare.

This article has a set of discussion questions tailored for classroom use. Click here to download them. To see a full list of articles with discussion questions and other resources, … Continue reading "Whiteness and Go Set a Watchman"

Examining the legacy of the Srebrenica genocide through the personal possessions of its victims.

The difficult struggle between saving antiquities and practicing cultural colonialism.

Why are cartoon producers driving female viewers away from their shows?

In the age of Orange is the New Black, prison tourism stands to redefine the ethical tourist.

In defense of incorporating first-person into academic texts of all kinds.

Drawing on images of beauty and atrocity alike, the poems of ISIS spark questions of how literature is defined.

In February, Dr. Wesley Cray of Grand Valley State University presented his talk “Unperformable Works and the Ontology of Art” as a part of the Young Philosophers Lecture Series hosted by … Continue reading "Unperformable Works and the Ontology of Art"

For "altruism porn" shows like "The Briefcase," is raising awareness justification enough?

Traditionally "white spaces," art museums must navigate the tensions between accessibility, representation and financial stability.

In February, Dr. Wesley Cray of Grand Valley State University presented his talk “That’s Not Art” as a part of the Young Philosophers Lecture Series hosted by the Prindle Institute and … Continue reading "That’s Not Art!"

One of the many reasons that weighing ethical dilemmas is such a challenge is because we’re often faced with a conflict between measurable and immeasurable value. We see this often in relation to environmental issues. Because we can’t … Continue reading "Mes Aynak’s Intrinsic Cultural Value"

The NFL has definitely taken some hard knocks lately.  One of these issues that the League has struggled with over the last decade is controversy over the brain damage that … Continue reading "The NFL’s Concussion Controversy"

This Guest Author post by Dr. Jeff McCall was originally published in The Indy Star on April 24, 2015. NBC’s high-profile anchor, Brian Williams, has been suspended for telling tall … Continue reading "The Deterioration of TV News"

Cultural appropriation is when a dominant group adapts the customs of a minority group and tries to trademark them as their own in an effort to be edgy and/or to … Continue reading "Cultural Appropriation in Entertainment"

The conflict in Syria is a humanitarian catastrophe on a massive scale, with hundreds of thousands dead and millions of others forced to flee their homes. Recently, the BBC has … Continue reading "Electronic Empathy: Video Games as Media"

The motorcycle racing community was in uproar for months following the decision handed down by the FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme/International Motorcycle Federation) to ban pro Supercross/Motocross racer James Stewart … Continue reading "Adderall Aftermath: The Implications of James Stewart’s Supercross Ban"