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    Ethics in the 21st Century: Business, Politics and Technology
    In-person Program

    Ethics in the 21st Century: Business, Politics and Technology

    by USC Pre-College

    USC's ethics summer course explores moral questions in business, politics and technology through philosophical texts, respectful debates and argumentative writing.

    Last verified: 5 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy

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    Ethics in the 21st Century at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    High school students; completed ninth grade

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 15-18

    Location / Region

    USC University Park Campus, Los Angeles, United States

    Cost

    $8,130; $11,570; $12,208

    Duration

    4 weeks

    Format

    In-person

    Next session

    21 June-15 July 2027

    Save program
    EthicsPhilosophyPoliticsTechnology
    Accommodation: Shared university residence-hall rooms
    Meals: Three daily meals for residents
    Campus experience: Libraries, computer labs and organized activities
    Residential options: Residential; eligible domestic commuters
    Academic outcome: Three units of elective college credit
    Tutors / faculty: USC faculty and experienced academic professionals
    Class schedule: 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; 5-6 instructional hours daily

    Ethics in the 21st Century summary

    USC's ethics course uses philosophical inquiry to examine moral questions in business, politics and technology. It connects influential ideas with decisions about inequality, immigration, meaningful work and data protection.

    Students read complex texts, debate respectfully and complete short essays and a final exam. The strongest fit is someone who enjoys defending a position while taking competing arguments seriously.

    What is Ethics in the 21st Century: Business, Politics and Technology?

    Ethics in the 21st Century: Business, Politics and Technology is a USC Pre-College course that applies philosophical inquiry to contemporary moral problems. Students engage with philosophical texts, documentary films and news media while examining how governments, businesses and individuals make ethical decisions.

    The campus experience combines structured debates, argumentative writing and academic field trips. Its sequence moves from normative ethics into political philosophy, business ethics and the philosophy of technology, giving students several ways to test and refine their reasoning.

    Why Succeed highlights Ethics in the 21st Century

    • The curriculum connects philosophical theory with concrete questions about immigration, exploitation, meaningful work and algorithmic bias.

    • Three short essays and a final exam make the academic commitment more substantial than discussion alone.

    • Structured, respectful debates give students repeated practice explaining and defending their reasoning.

    • Successful completion earns three units of elective credit, with transfer acceptance decided by the receiving college.

    • Residential advisors, controlled hall access and emergency notifications give families concrete supervision arrangements to assess.

    Who is Ethics in the 21st Century for?

    Best for

    Students curious about philosophy, public policy or business who want to examine competing arguments and improve their academic writing.

    Not ideal if

    You want a light enrichment experience with little reading, writing or assessment; the course includes intensive instruction, three essays and an exam.

    Is Ethics in the 21st Century worth it?

    The course is worth considering if you want to test whether philosophical reading, argumentation and ethical analysis suit you. Its essays, debates and exam offer a clearer academic experience than attending talks alone, and successful completion carries elective credit.

    The financial commitment is substantial, and USC does not offer financial aid for this program. Judge the value by the learning and campus experience you would use, while treating credit transfer and potential recommendations as conditional benefits.

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    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $8,130; $11,570; $12,208; includes Tuition and course instruction., Textbooks, course materials and academic field trips., On-campus social activities and recreational trips., Access to the University Park Student Health Center., Residential option: a shared residence-hall room., Residential option: three daily dining-hall meals., Residential option: academic field-trip meals and specified Saturday meals..

    Accommodation

    Shared university residence-hall rooms

    Meals

    Three daily meals for residents

    Supervision or safety information

    Residential advisors live in the halls and are available at all times. USC provides 24/7 public safety patrols, controlled residence-hall access and emergency notifications.

    Provider details

    Review the USC Pre-College provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    4 weeks; USC University Park Campus, Los Angeles, United States.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

    Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

    Compare with similar programs

    How much preparation does Ethics in the 21st Century need?

    Effort level

    High.

    Best started

    Begin essay planning and school-document requests when November application information is released.

    Main challenge

    Turning complex readings into clear arguments while managing a full class day.

    Typical preparation

    • Practice summarizing an argument and identifying its strongest objection.

    • Ask a teacher, counselor or mentor about a recommendation and arrange the school-uploaded transcript.

    • Plan the family budget and, if relevant, immigration documents before committing to travel.

    • Allow extra planning time for accessibility support, which typically takes two to three weeks to review.

    Useful if

    You want to test your interest in university-level philosophy.

    What do students do on Ethics in the 21st Century?

    You study philosophical arguments and apply them to contemporary decisions in politics, business and technology. Across the four instructional weeks, you debate positions, write three short essays and complete a final exam.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Study cultural relativism, utilitarianism and Kantian ethics, then write the first short essay.

    2. 2

      Examine economic inequality and immigration, write the second essay and take an academic field trip.

    3. 3

      Analyze exploitation, commodification of organs and meaningful work, then write the third essay.

    4. 4

      Consider AI companions, algorithmic bias and genetic enhancement, then complete the final exam and another field trip.

    Ethics in the 21st Century dates and deadlines

    Summer 2026 domestic application deadline

    8 May 2026

    Past

    Summer 2026 international application deadline

    13 March 2026

    Past

    Summer 2026 domestic

    22 June-17 July 2026

    Domestic residential and commuter options.

    Past

    Summer 2026 international

    22 June-17 July 2026

    Residential participation.

    Past

    Summer 2027

    21 June-15 July 2027

    USC Summer Programs dates; application information is expected in November.

    Upcoming

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Domestic or international high school students.

    • Completed at least ninth grade before the program begins.

    • Pursuing a rigorous high school curriculum.

    • Able to attend all required class meetings.

    • International applicants: accepted English-proficiency test evidence or waiver.

    • International participants and participants living abroad: on-campus residence required.

    • Commuters: parent or guardian residence in Los Angeles or Orange County.

    • Participants must bring their own laptops.

    How much does Ethics in the 21st Century cost?

    Program fee

    $8,130; $11,570; $12,208 — 2026 estimated commuter, domestic residential and international residential totals.

    Funding or discounts

    • Application fee: $85 — Nonrefundable processing fee.
    • Seat deposit: $1,000 — Nonrefundable; credited toward the program total.
    • Financial aid: Not offered
    • Visa application fee: $185 — Government charge for participants who require it.
    • SEVIS I-901 fee: $350 — Additional government charge for applicable international participants.

    What's included

    Tuition and course instruction., Textbooks, course materials and academic field trips., On-campus social activities and recreational trips., Access to the University Park Student Health Center., Residential option: a shared residence-hall room., Residential option: three daily dining-hall meals., Residential option: academic field-trip meals and specified Saturday meals.

    How to apply to Ethics in the 21st Century

    1. 1

      Create an account or log in to USC's Summer Programs application portal.

    2. 2

      Use your legal name and a frequently checked email address.

    3. 3

      Choose up to three course preferences; you will enroll in one course.

    4. 4

      Write the required 300-500-word application essay independently.

    5. 5

      Request an online recommendation from a teacher, counselor or mentor.

    6. 6

      Ask a school administrator to upload your PDF high school transcript.

    7. 7

      Provide English-proficiency evidence or a waiver if you are an international applicant.

    8. 8

      Pay the $85 application fee, complete every task, then review and submit.

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    What does Ethics in the 21st Century cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Normative ethics

    Compare cultural relativism, utilitarianism and Kantian ethics through a first short essay.

    Political philosophy

    Examine economic inequality and immigration, alongside an essay and academic field trip.

    Business ethics

    Analyze exploitation, commodification of organs and meaningful work in a third short essay.

    Philosophy of technology

    Explore AI companions, algorithmic bias and genetic enhancement before the final exam.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    What is a typical day on Ethics in the 21st Century?

    A typical day during the program.

    Academic instruction

    Five to six instructional hours each day, with lunch or field-trip breaks.

    Independent study

    Students can study in campus libraries between scheduled commitments.

    Residential activities

    Residential advisors and staff supervise social activities and games.

    Recreational excursions

    Organized trips may visit Los Angeles attractions, beaches, theme parks or sports events.

    Who teaches on Ethics in the 21st Century?

    USC Summer Programs courses are taught by USC faculty and experienced professionals from the university's academic community. The ethics course centers on philosophical inquiry, structured debate and argumentative writing.

    Where do students stay on Ethics in the 21st Century?

    Residential plan

    • Shared residence-hall rooms: Roommate and floor assignments follow the gender identification provided on the application.
    • Dining-hall meal plan: Room and board includes three daily meals, academic field-trip meals and specified Saturday meals.
    • Residential supervision: Advisors live in the halls; USCard access, a 10 p.m. curfew and 11:30 p.m. lights out apply.
    • Campus activities: Supervised evening activities and organized weekend excursions complement the academic course.

    Non-residential plan

    • Domestic commuter option: Eligible students live with a parent or guardian in Los Angeles or Orange County.
    • Activities and field trips: Commuters attend academic sessions and trips, with optional organized activities and required program transportation.
    • Commuter dining: Meal plans are not offered, but meals can be purchased in dining halls and campus eateries.

    Roommate requests cannot be accommodated. International participants and domestic participants living abroad must reside on campus.

    What happens after Ethics in the 21st Century?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Earn three units of elective college credit upon successful completion.

    Request an official USC transcript recording your course grade.

    Use the course to test an interest in philosophy and ethics.

    Develop stronger argument analysis, academic writing and public speaking.

    Build faculty relationships that may lead to a recommendation.

    Credit acceptance depends on the receiving college; recommendations and admission to USC are not guaranteed.

    Where does Ethics in the 21st Century take place?

    The course takes place on USC's University Park Campus in Los Angeles, with access to library reading rooms, computer labs and campus facilities. Academic field trips complement classroom study; ethics participants have visited the Getty Villa.

    International participants arrange their own travel; early-arrival and late-departure housing are not offered.

    Ethics in the 21st Century FAQs

    The course covers normative ethics, political philosophy, business ethics and the philosophy of technology. Topics include inequality, immigration, meaningful work, AI companions and algorithmic bias.

    The weekly outline includes three short essays and a final exam. Students also articulate and defend their positions in structured, respectful debates.

    Successful completion earns three units of university elective credit. Other colleges decide whether to accept those units, so retaining the course syllabus is recommended.

    Eligible domestic participants living with a parent or guardian in Los Angeles or Orange County can commute. International participants and domestic participants living abroad must reside on campus.

    Residential advisors live in the halls and are available at all times. USC provides 24/7 public safety patrols, controlled residence-hall access and emergency notifications.

    USC Summer Programs does not offer financial aid or assistance. USC employee tuition benefits also do not apply.

    Participation does not guarantee admission to USC. The academic benefits include elective credit and the opportunity to develop relationships that could lead to a recommendation.

    Participants must bring their own laptops. Campus computer labs, printing facilities and secured wireless access are also available.

    Alternatives to Ethics in the 21st Century

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    Ben Stacy

    Content reviewed by

    Ben Stacy

    Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader

    Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.

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    Sources & verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Summer Programs Application Management
    • USC Summer Programs Transcripts | USC Pre-College
    • USC Summer Programs Tuition and Fees | USC Pre-College
    • USC Summer Programs FAQs | USC Pre-College
    • USC Summer Programs Policies | USC Pre-College
    • USC Summer Programs International Application | USC Pre-College
    • USC Summer Residential and Commuter Experience | USC Pre-College
    • USC Summer Programs Overview | USC Pre-College
    • USC Summer Programs Application and Admission | USC Pre-College
    • USC Summer Programs | USC Pre-College
    • Ethics Summer Program | USC Pre-College

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 5 Oct 2026)

    • Official course page checked

    • Application requirements reviewed

    • Session dates compared

    • Fee options distinguished

    • Credit conditions reviewed

    • Residential safeguards reviewed

    • International requirements reviewed

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.