2025 MODULES FOR THE ETHICS CENTER MENTORING PROGRAM:
July 21st, 2025 - August 15th, 2025
The UCI Ethics Center selects a few promising students for a mentoring program each summer. We plan a full online program again in 2025, open to qualified college, graduate, and high school students worldwide. Applications are now open, and students may apply to our online program by completing the application (below). There is no cost for this intense mentoring program. No recommendations are required. You need only to (1) complete the short form at the end of this announcement and (2) pay a small processing fee. Students for whom the fee presents a financial hardship may request a waiver by contacting Andrada Costoiu, Director of the Summer Program, at andradac@uci.edu.
LINK TO APPLICATION:
Online program. While we initially accepted only local students, with the advent of COVID-19, we went online and quickly realized there is an international demand for the personal mentoring we provide. The 2025 summer mentoring program thus will have a few hybrid modules, but most will be exclusively online. Thus, we will accept students worldwide for a virtual mentoring program from July 21st, 2025 – to August 15th, 2025. Students will meet twice a week, in groups of 15-30 students, as part of a mentoring program that will provide hands-on experience in various forms of research. The research activities will teach many different skills, from basic library research that might be used in a literature review to skill sets such as SPSS or other computational programs and introduction to data analysis of various kinds, from archival data, aggregate data, interviews, survey data, and narrative-interpretive analysis. No prior experience with ethics is required. We ask that students be interested in working with a university faculty member or a graduate student mentor.
There is no charge for the program, just a modest processing fee. There is no charge for the program itself. To handle the increased demand and to keep the mentoring experience a high-quality one, small enough to retain its personal aspect, we have been forced to ask for a modest processing fee ($250). Students for whom this fee poses a financial hardship can request a fee waiver from the Director of the Mentoring Program at andradac@uci.edu. Anyone who wishes to contribute further to the Ethics Center to defray costs for other students who may have financial constraints may do so here: Donate Now. We appreciate all your support, which is vital in keeping this program available at no cost.
Modules. Students will be allowed to participate in only one module but may ask to be waitlisted for an over-subscribed module. We will try to assign each student to their preferred module. We will add extra modules if demand requires it to keep the numbers below 30 for each module. (If demand is high for one particular module, then we will try to offer more than one session of that specific module.) We will review applications and send out the first acceptances by January 30th, 2025. Thereafter, admissions will be rolling, with acceptances sent on the 1st and the 15th of each month until May.
TA Applications: We highly value the dedication and expertise of our Teaching Assistants (TAs), prioritizing applicants who have previously completed our course or who come highly recommended by their mentors or instructors. Due to the competitive nature of the position and our commitment to maintaining a high-quality learning environment, we accept only a limited number of TAs each summer session. Currently, our summer program is fully booked for Teaching Assistants, and we are not accepting any additional TA applications for this session. For future opportunities, please monitor our website for updates on application periods and requirements.
Waiver. Participants in the program who are under 18 on July 22, 2025, must have a waiver signed by their parents before they can begin the program. Waivers will be sent out by June 1st via email and must be received before the program begins on July 21st. In the past, Andrada Costoiu has contacted people who forgot to submit their waivers. The program's size now makes this unfeasible, so the student must make sure their parents submit the waiver before July 21st. Students under 18 cannot be admitted to the program until the waiver is signed and submitted.
Application form. The application process is simple and requires no recommendations. Please complete the application (below). Students are allowed to take only one module.
LINK TO APPLICATION:
MODULES
Module 1. Political Resilience, Political Trauma and the Death of Democracy. Kristen Monroe, Political Psychology and Ethics, UCI Ethics Center Director, UCI and Sunny Sun, Stanford University, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (PST).
In this module, students will learn how to (1) craft a literature review and (2) analyze
narrative-interpretive interview data. We do so by working on a book about Jewish
emigres from the Third Reich, people who left their homeland because their lives were
threatened and their country was changing from a republic to a totalitarian state.
Extensive interviews have been completed and will be analyzed to ask what this unique
group of people has to tell us that is relevant today about (1) what causes the politics
of hate, (2) how democracies die, as the Weimar Republic did, (3) how they forged
amazing lives in the new world, despite significant trauma they encountered in leaving.
Students will prepare a literature review of the scholarly work on the demise of democracy.
They will then be taught how to analyze an interview to understand how the speaker
views the world and what that person can tell us that is relevant to our understanding
of democracy and political resilience.
Instructor's Short Bio. Professor Monroe is the founding director of the UCI Interdisciplinary Center for the Scientific Study of Ethics and Morality and Chancellor’s Distinguished Professor of Political Science. She has published 22 books, the latest with students from the summer mentoring program: Politics, Principle and Standing up to Donald Trump: Moral Courage in the Republican Party. She loves working with the summer students!
Teaching Assistant's Bio:
Jessica Zhang is a rising senior at Sage Hill School. She has been an intern at the
UCI Ethics Center since 2023 and has had the pleasure of working with Professor Monroe.
Jessica has also assisted Professor Monroe on an ongoing research project throughout
the school year. She looks forward to working with you all this summer!
Teaching Assistant's Bio:
Hello everyone! My name is Nicky Kim, and I’m a rising senior at the Orange County
School of the Arts (OCSA), where I’m part of the Instrumental Music Winds Conservatory,
specializing in flute. I’ve had the privilege of working closely with Professor Monroe
for the past two years in Module 14: The Self-Examining Life: Ethics, Young People, and Exploring All the Wild
Possibilities (2024), as well as Module 3: Using Social Media to Combat Hate and Foster Tolerance (2023). I’m excited to continue this collaboration into my third year and help create
a meaningful and enriching summer experience for all of you. Outside of music, I’m
passionate about leadership and community engagement. I currently serve as Vice President
of Empowering Arts, a nationwide non-profit, and as President of OCSA’s Inclusibeauty.
I’m thrilled to bring my energy and experience to this program, and I can’t wait to
learn and grow alongside everyone this summer!
Teaching Assistant's Bio:
My name is Cameron Mostofi and I am approaching my junior year at Laguna Beach High
School where I serve as the Arts and Entertainment writer for Brush & Palette, my
school's journalism publication. I also represent my school's student body as the
Student Representative for the City of Laguna Beach Recreation Committee, and I provide
tutoring services for a national non-profit organization. I hope to become an attorney
in the field of international law. Last summer, I had the privilege of being a student
of Professor Monroe through the UCI Ethics Center Mentoring Program. I look forward
to collaborating with you this summer.
Teaching Assistant's Bio:
Hi! My name is Sophie Kim and I'm a TA for the UCI Summer Ethics Internship Program
of 2025. Previously, I've participated in modules related to the political empowerment
of women, the Israel-Palestine conflict, and the pseudoscience of race and ethnicity.
Lately, I've been working on a project related to facilitating civil dialogue between
opposing political groups called Bipartisan Bridges; this is a topic I'm especially
passionate about because of my own family experiences growing up in a household divided
along party lines and growing up in a conservative pocket of a purple county in an
otherwise deeply blue state. I'm beyond excited and grateful to explore political
polarization and division with you all this summer, and I can't wait to meet you all!
Teaching Assistant's Bio:
Hello, everyone! My name is Arya Kunnothmannur, and I am a rising senior at Portola
High School. Last year, I had the privilege of interning under Professor Monroe in
Module 14: The Self-Examining Life: Ethics, Young People, and Exploring All the Wild
Possibilities. I am excited to be working with her on an ongoing research project. My participation
in the Ethics Center Program has significantly influenced my interest in the convergence
of ethics and politics, particularly how this presents itself in historical events,
public policy making, and social interactions. In my spare time, I enjoy reading,
visiting the beach, and spending time with my cat. I look forward to a productive
and enriching summer with all of you!
Teaching Assistant's Bio:
Hi. My name is Amy Jia, and I’m a rising junior at Sage Hill School. I’m passionate
about public policy and how today’s societal issues shape the morality and ethics
of future generations. I’m the captain of my school’s debate team, and I use debate
to explore controversial topics such as universal healthcare and open borders, analyzing
the world implications of status quo policies. I am excited to be a teaching assistant
for Professor Monroe and working with everyone this summer.
Module 2: Social Justice and Social Categories: Understanding Difference and Its Impact. Andrada Costoiu, Director, UCI Ethics Center Summer Mentoring Program. Mondays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
This module will explore the construction of social categories, including race, class
and gender. We will examine how these categories are created, implemented, and perpetuated
through policies, societal structures, and individual behaviors. By analyzing real-world
examples from both the United States and around the world, students will develop a
deeper understanding of social justice issues and the role of social categories in
shaping inequality. The module will incorporate a combination of lectures, discussions,
readings, case studies, and films to engage students and encourage critical reflection.
Week 1: Introduction to Social Categories and Social Justice. Week 2: The Historical Roots of Social Categories and Inequality. Week 3: students will be divided into groups and assigned one of the following films. Each film explores important social justice themes, such as racial inequality, gender issues, and systemic oppression. After watching the movie, students will prepare a group presentation discussing the film's social justice themes and their relevance today. Week 4: students will be divided into groups, and each group will choose one of the following themes to write a paper on. The paper should explore the social justice issue in depth, examining its impact on different social categories (such as race, gender, class, or disability), historical context, and current relevance.
Themes:- Immigration Policy and Colonialism: The Impact of the U.S. Border Policies on Latinx Communities
- LGBTQ+ Rights in the U.S.: Progress and Challenges in Achieving Equality
- Environmental Justice in the U.S.: The Fight for Equitable Access to Clean Air, Water, and Land
- Disability Rights in the U.S.: Advocacy for Accessibility and Inclusion
- The #MeToo Movement: Combating Sexual Harassment and Gender Inequality in the U.S. Workplace
Instructor's Short Bio: My name is Andrada Costoiu and I have background and experience in academics and business. I enjoy teaching classes in human rights, social justice, and equality. In my free time, I like to write, and my latest novel, Under the Iron Curtain, set in communist Romania, was published by Niculescu Publishing House, Bucharest, in July 2021. Outside of academic life, I had the opportunity to be part of different governmental agencies and international organizations. I am one of the founding members of AIESEC Bucharest (International Association of Students in Economics and Business Management). About a decade after the Romanian revolution, I worked for the Romanian Foreign Trade Center in Bucharest, where I analyzed market forecasts, worked to establish goals and strategies for the Ministry of Commerce, and worked on evaluation committees for projects funded by the European Union. Not long ago, I started following one of my lifelong passions: flying. I am taking flying lessons, and I have become a pilot. I am currently flying a Cessna 172, and I am working on my ratings to fly commercially and, of course, the big jets!
Teaching Assistant's Bio:
Hi everyone! My name is Shriya Gandhi, and I’m a rising sophomore at the Orange County
School of the Arts in the acting conservatory. Last year, I had the opportunity to
learn about Social Constructs that Unnecessarily Divide Us with Ms. Costoiu which
expanded my knowledge of social norms and how they affect our world today. This year,
I am grateful to assist her with the “Social Justice and Social Categories” module.
I am a part of the OCSA’s mock trial team, an active member of the South Asian Student
Union, a classical dancer, and co-president of Girl Up OCSA. I aspire to be an attorney
who wants to work in social justice, advocacy, and equality. I'm excited to work with
all of you this summer!
Teaching Assistant's Bio:
Hi everyone! I’m Namrata Motwani and I’m a rising senior at Portola High School. Since
2023, I have been an intern at the UCI Ethics Center. Over the course of two years,
the research projects have broadened my understanding of socio-economic dynamics as
they presented a unique lens to examine the complex relationship of social constructs,
ethics, and policies. It has been a pleasure working with Professor Costoiu, and I
can’t wait to work with all of you this summer!
Teaching Assistant's Bio:
Hello! I'm Kiran Nanda, a rising senior at University High School. I'm passionate
about gender equality and bridging social and political divides through education.
I've championed women's rights by educating others on reproductive health and empowering
informed decision-making to reduce political polarization. I aim to help create a
more informed, inclusive society and electorate.
Last year, I had the opportunity to participate in the UCI Ethics Internship on
Social Constructs that Unnecessarily Divide Us under the guidance of Professor Costoiu.
I’m excited to work with her again this year as a Teaching Assistant for her module
on Social Justice and Social Categories: Understanding Difference and Its Impact.
I enjoy contributing to ASB, traveling, and spending time with friends and family
in my spare time.
Teaching Assistant's Bio:
Hi everyone! My name is Kavya Thakrar, and I am a rising junior at Legacy Magnet Academy.
Last year, I was able to learn under PhD student Yiwen Huang about colonialism, modernity,
and the socioeconomic disparities that lived within it. This course truly inspired
my passion for social justice. I am also the editor-in-chief of my school’s Tide Times
newsletter and the marketing officer of our FBLA chapter. I also act and sing on the
side. I enjoy hanging out with my friends, shopping, and giving back to the community.
I can’t wait to work with you all this summer!
Teaching Assistant's Bio:
Hello, everyone! My name is Sailee Charlu, and I am a rising junior at the Orange
County School of the Arts in the Creative Writing Conservatory. I am thrilled to assist
with this module on social justice and categories, as I am deeply interested in socio-cultural
divides and educational equality. I founded a nonprofit charitable program called
Habla Arte. This bilingual Spanish-English initiative bridges language barriers and
combats cultural erosion through a curriculum centered on visual arts and public speaking.
Over the past three years, this program has expanded through the creation of the Habla
Arte app and the publication of a bilingual children’s book, both funded by national
grants. I take pride in meaningfully impacting hundreds of children by improving access
to education and the arts. My passion for understanding historical perspectives and
ethical frameworks forms the foundation for the future I envision in social activism
and law. I am the lead prosecutor of my Mock Trial National Team, the president and
founder of the National Civic Leaders of America OCSA Chapter, and a competitor with
the California GetLit Spoken Poetry Troupe. In my free time, I enjoy watercolor painting,
which allows me to escape into the dynamic flow of colors. I also love connecting
with nature through hikes and visits to national parks.
Teaching Assistant's Bio:
Hi Everyone! My name is Aliya Gulati, and I am a junior at Northwood High School in
Irvine. I participated in the UCI Ethics Mentoring program the last two summers, including
Prof. Costoiu’s “Social Constructs that Unnecessarily Divide Us” module. I am excited
to assist her with the “Social Justice and Social Categories” module this summer.
I look forward to working with each of you this summer and hope to make it a supportive
and interactive experience!
Teaching Assistant's Bio:
My name is Hannah Austin, and I am a rising senior at University High School. I am
excited to assist with Module 2: Social Justice and Social Categories: Understanding
Difference and Its Impact, as I am deeply passionate about disability rights and the
role social categories play in shaping inequality. My experiences volunteering, particularly
at a hospital, have inspired me to advocate for disability rights after seeing firsthand
the barriers individuals with disabilities face in accessing care.
Last summer, I had the pleasure of participating in Module 5: Using Social Media to Combat Hate with Professor Monroe, where I learned how technology can address social justice issues and drive meaningful change. I am eager to bring this perspective to our discussions on how race, class, gender, and disability intersect to influence social structures and individual experiences. I look forward to exploring these topics with all of you in this module!
Module 3: Genocide and ethnic conflict: Causes, legacies, and memories. Kiyaan Parikh, Grad Student, Political Science, Mondays and Wednesdays, 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.
Students will discuss generational trauma, victimhood, perpetration, and collective
memory. Together, we ask how violence is remembered and processed in a community and
the politics surrounding and informing those processes. The module explores broad
theories while developing writing skills, critical thinking, and contention with texts
in context. This topic space will expose students to essential skills of research
such as hypothesis development, synthesizing theories, and putting ideas into dialogue.
We will also discuss inference, research design, and the strengths of various methodologies
in answering our big idea questions. Readings will be fairly interdisciplinary across
social science and humanities, providing a sampling platter of how various traditions
research, define, and unpack these questions. But most importantly, we will look at
not just the nature of violence, or violence as a “natural” phenomenon, but contend
with the actual impacts of conflict on people's lives and the long-term legacies they
carry forward. Genocide is an emotionally difficult topic to research, so bear that
in mind as you choose your modules.
Instructor's Short Bio: Kiyaan Parikh is a rising 5th year in the PhD program at UCI. This is his third year working as a summer mentor and we are delighted to have him back. Kiyaan’s primary research focus is on the legacies of violent conflicts, political trauma, and the persistence of hateful mobilization. Most specifically, he asks how the memory of violence is politically mobilized in subsequent generations to help nationalist political groups come to power. Kiyaan was born and raised in Long Beach, California, did his undergrad work at UC Berkeley. He enjoys cooking, board and video games with friends, and basketball. Students will also likely see Kiyaan’s cats make guest appearances during group video meetings. He is excited to work with everyone and looks forward to a great summer.
Teaching Assistant's Bio:
My name is Caitlyn Liao, and I am a rising junior studying Political Economy at UC
Berkeley. I am passionate about studying the economic and political institutions that
govern society, and particularly America’s specific form of democratic capitalism.
I currently pursue a wide variety of interests at college, from a cappella and dance
to being a deputy editor for the Berkeley Political Review! I was part of the module
during high school (UNI!), and it equipped me with many foundational tools that I
continue to use in college. I am very excited to meet everyone this summer!
Module 4. There is always something you can do! Citizen Peace Building Initiatives. David Rosten, UCI Graduate, degree in International and Comparative Law from the University of San Diego, former co-chair of the Dean’s Council at UCI, Monday & Wednesday 1 p.m. -3 p.m.
Instructor's Short Bio. Rosten is superbly networked and remarkable for bringing together people from all
sides of hot-button issues. In this module, he brings together people to talk about
what everyday people can do, from Paula Garb and the Kugelmans, who established UCI’s
Citizen Peace Builders, to Gershon Baskin, an Israeli who negotiated the release of
prisoners between Israel and Hamas. We will try to bring in speakers from diverse
communities and help students learn how to assess their analysis of the flexibility
in the situation. These might include people Rosten knows and can invite personally,
from experts such as David Makovsky (the Washington Institute for Near East Policy)
to Marwan Muasher (Vice-President of the Carnegie Institute for International Peace).
Teaching Assistant's Bio:
My name is Ella Dominguez, and I’m a rising junior at the Orange County School of
the Arts in the Musical Theater Conservatory. Last summer, I participated in the Citizen
Peace Building Initiatives internship with Mr. Rosten, where I developed skills in
public speaking and conflict resolution while learning about grassroots initiatives.
I’m excited to return as a Teaching Assistant this year to help guide discussions
and support participants. Outside of this program, I have experience as a Teaching
Assistant and private tutor, and I plan to major in biology with a minor in business
in college. I look forward to working with everyone this summer!
Teaching Assistant's Bio:
Hello everyone! My name is Sarah Glauch-Lozano, and I’m a rising senior at Orange
County School of the Arts in the Integrated Arts Conservatory. Last year, I had the
privilege of being part of Professor Rosten’s module on Citizen Peace Building Initiatives,
which gave me great insight into conflict resolution and the ethical lens that needs
to be considered when considering global issues. I am interested in global affairs
and international relations, specifically the interaction of different cultures and
their intersections in American society. Last summer, I was part of the 2024 US Youth
Ambassadors Program through the Department of State, which inspired me to create a
project highlighting the diversity of South and Central American cultures. I am also
the Mission Impact Committee Lead for the Orange County Red Cross Chapter. This position
has allowed me to cultivate my passion for community outreach and social activism.
I am so excited to learn from and work with you all this summer!
Module 5: Populism, Power and Civil Society: The Case of Contemporary Israel. Tom Lourie, PhD in Political Science, UCI, Mondays and Wednesdays, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm (PST).
Populism has been one of the most influential political phenomena in Western politics
over the past decade, exemplified by the election of Donald Trump as President and
the 2016 Brexit referendum. Israel, too, has experienced the profound effects of populism,
making it a compelling case for deeper examination. In this module, we explore key
questions surrounding populism: What does the term actually mean? What are the primary
drivers of populism? How does populism interact with democracy? Once we establish
a solid understanding of the concept, we focus on populism in Israel—investigating
when and why it emerged and its impact on Israeli politics and society. Building
on this foundation, students will actively participate in my research, examining how
populist politics influence state bureaucracy and civil society. Specifically, we
analyze the effects of recent events, such as the judicial overhaul and the October
7th attacks on Israel’s civil service and societal dynamics. While the study of populism
has advanced significantly in recent years, the relationship between populism and
bureaucratic institutions remains underexplored. This module presents a unique opportunity
for students to contribute to a cutting-edge research project. Participants will engage
in literature reviews, data collection, analysis, and even the development of theoretical
insights on this novel topic.
Instructor's Short Bio: Tom Lourie holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of California, Irvine. His research focuses on Israeli politics, with a particular emphasis on populism. His latest publication, “From Begin to Netanyahu: The Rise of Populism in Israel,” is featured in the January 2025 issue of Israel Studies Review. “The Decision Calculus of Donald Trump,” examining President Trump’s foreign policy decision-making, received the Best Author Contribution award in 2019 from the book’s publisher.
Teaching Assistant's Bio:
Hi, my name is Nathan Nightingale, and I am a rising sophomore at Tarbut V’ Torah.
Last summer, I participated in the UCI Ethics Center, focusing on a module about the
conflicts in the Middle East. I am very passionate about politics around the world,
especially in Israel and America. I look forward to assisting Professor Lourie, and
I am eager to work with you this summer.
Teaching Assistant's Bio:
Logan Kreisberg is a rising senior at The Harvey School. He is a budding reporter
and serves as the Editor-in-Chief of his school newspaper. He also has a strong love
for musical theater and has been performing in plays since the age of 3. Last summer,
Logan participated in Ms. Sengupta’s “Social Activism and Responsible Business” module.
However, Logan is truly passionate about contemporary Israel and the social forces
that have helped shape it. He is thrilled to help Professor Lourie examine this unique
time in Israel’s history and looks forward to (virtually) working with students who
share his passions.
Module 6: Understanding the Development of Attitudes Toward Wealth Inequality. Jacqueline Beck, PhD Student | Department of Cognitive Sciences, UCI, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Although wealth inequality has been a topic of ethical debate for a long time, attitudes
about wealth disparities still vary. For instance, supporters of the meritocracy system
believe that there is equal opportunity for all and that extreme wealth is fair. In
contrast, critics of the meritocracy system argue that there is unequal opportunity
for many and that extreme wealth is unjust. To understand the root of these differing
fairness beliefs, this module will examine how attitudes about inequality develop
and discuss factors that may shape such attitudes. Specifically, in the first two
weeks, we will familiarize ourselves with current literature on moral development
around resource inequality. Then, we will brainstorm research questions students wish
to investigate. In the final two weeks, we will learn how to perform a literature
search and efficiently read papers to answer the research questions. By the end of
the module, students will learn how to extract information through secondary research
and think about the literature's limitations.
Instructor's Short Bio: Jacky Beck (she/her) is a doctoral student in the Cognitive Sciences department at UCI. Her research focuses on how children think about the inequalities that exist in the social world. Specifically, her projects examine children’s beliefs and attitudes about the social constructs that result from wealth inequalities. She is passionate about understanding the human mind—how it shapes behaviors and decisions—and using those insights to make meaningful impacts. She is a serial hobbyist, and recently she’s been into jigsaw puzzles and knitting. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about pursuing a graduate degree in psychology!
Teaching Assistant's Bio:
My name is Kelsey Sawtell, and I am a rising senior at University High School. I am
deeply committed to studying and working towards social justice as I intend to minor
in political science. I find it critical to help society attain equal opportunities
and to embrace these values in whatever field I choose to pursue. Moreover, I believe
it is my generation's responsibility to advocate for marginalized communities. I aspire
to continue pushing for social reform and aid those in need to achieve economic mobility,
along with representation and inclusion. Last year, I had the privilege of participating
in this program and was nominated for the Lampros Award after being mentored by Professor
Kreidie as we researched "Mental Health, Resilience, and Peace Building in the Contemporary
Mideast." This summer, I am grateful to be assisting Ms. Beck as we focus on “Understanding
the Development of Attitudes Toward Wealth Inequality.” I am excited to dive into
the intricacies of this topic and have the ability to engage in meaningful discussions
with you all.
Teaching Assistant's Bio:
Hi everyone! My name is Ella Kraninger and I'm a rising senior at Santa Margarita
Catholic High School. I am deeply passionate about understanding and addressing the
ethical debates surrounding wealth disparities, especially in education. I want to
major in education and public policy to address these unfair gaps based on socio-economic
status. I am grateful to have studied "Social Constructs that Unnecessarily Divide
Us" under the guidance of Professor Costoiu last year. I'm excited to assist Ms. Beck
this summer on "Understanding the Development of Attitudes Toward Wealth Inequality"
and meeting you all!
Teaching Assistant's Bio:
My name is Trinity Chen, and I am a rising senior at Sage Hill School. I am passionate
about understanding social and economic disparities and how wealth shapes opportunity,
power, and perceptions of fairness in society. During the summer of 2023, I had the
privilege of working with Professor Kristen Aanstoos on "How Political Participation
in the Peace Process and Post-Conflict Resolution Affects the Political Empowerment
of Women." This summer, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to assist Ms. Beck on
"Understanding the Development of Attitudes Toward Wealth Inequality." I am excited
to continue exploring and researching this issue this summer and look forward to meeting
you all!
Modules 7A and 7B. Ethics and Economics. Sofia Franco, Economics assistant teaching professor UC Irvine. Module 7A meets Mondays and Wednesdays, 9.30 a.m.-11 a.m.; Module 7B meets Mondays and Wednesdays 11:10 a.m. -12.30 p.m.
The price of a good or service plays an important role in how well it sells. An ethical
pricing strategy goes beyond simply following the law. Similarly, not all unethical
pricing strategies are fraudulent or illegal. Ethical decisions are difficult sometimes
because there isn’t a defined line for morally right and wrong decisions. Producers
and retailers practice, for the most part, ethical pricing strategies to earn profits
without defrauding competitors or consumers. This module introduces students to the
ethical and (anti)competitive aspects of different pricing strategies in business
using graphical analyses and newspaper articles. Topics covered include price match
guarantees, price-fixing, and price discrimination.
Instructor's Short Bio: Economics assistant teaching professor, Sofia Franco earned her Ph.D. in environmental science and management with a specialization in urban and environmental economics at UC Santa Barbara. She’s an applied microeconomist who has worked as a consultant to the World Bank and the National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education in Maryland on urban development and zoning policies. She came to UC Irvine after a professorial post at the Nova School of Business and Economics in Portugal.
Module 8. Crafting Constructive Dialogues across Deeply-held Political Divides. Professor Kristen Renwick Monroe. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (PST).
For students who are technologically adept and sophisticated, we offer an opportunity to edit interviews with top scholars who have devoted their lives to understanding how to work to minimize conflict. Danny Bar-Tal has worked with Palestinian and Jewish Israeli scholars to bring peace to that troubled area. Ervin Staub, a Holocaust survivor saved by Raul Wallenberg, has developed techniques for reconciliation after genocide and ethnic violence involving the Khmer Rouge, the Hutus, and Tutsis in Rwanda-Burundi and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Orla Muldoon studies the Northern Irish situation and its oscillating movement toward peace. The goal will be to produce videos that can be shown to students/scholars worldwide. Please do not apply unless you have some basic skills, are highly motivated and able to work creatively with your fellow students, and are dedicated and willing to imagine/create new techniques to use mass media to further ethical aims.
Instructor's Short Bio. Professor Monroe is the founding director of the UCI Interdisciplinary Center for the Scientific Study of Ethics and Morality and the Chancellor’s Distinguished Professor of Political Science. Although technologically inept, she loves working with the summer students and learning from them!
Teaching Assistant's Bio:
Hi everyone! My name is Luke Meggers, and I’m a rising junior at St. Margaret’s Episcopal
School. I have a strong interest in finance and the ways economic understanding can
shape real-world decision-making. Through the Wharton Essentials of Finance program,
I studied market principles and investing, which inspired me to co-found Financial
Futures, a nonprofit that brings financial literacy education to underserved youth.
Last summer, I participated in Using Social Media to Combat Hate, and I’m thrilled
to return this year as a TA for Crafting Constructive Dialogues Across Deeply-Held
Political Divides. I’m especially excited to support conversations that promote empathy,
understanding, and critical thinking. Outside the classroom, I enjoy playing volleyball
and spending time with friends.
I’m looking forward to helping lead meaningful discussions and learning alongside
all of you this summer!
Module 9: Surviving High School and College Applications while Maintaining a Modicum of Sanity: Young People and Mental Health. Chloe Lampros-Monroe, George Washington School of Public Health, Tuesdays/Thursdays from 11 AM to 1 PM PST.
This module will focus on learning more about the youth mental health crisis, exploring
concepts of stigma and factors that contribute to declining mental health in young
people, including social media, COVID-19, etc. The module will also involve discussions
of mental health in high school and discussions of how to preserve your mental health
during high school and college applications. The class will involve practical information
about college options, applying, etc. Topics relevant to mental health in young people
can be added based on student interest. Modules will involve some discussion of difficult
topics, such as suicide, self-harm, etc. Specific trigger warnings will be given in
advance.
Note: Please do not sign up for this module if you cannot attend most of the meetings. While, of course, there will always be flexibility around sickness, extenuating circumstances, etc., please do not sign up for this module if you know in advance that you double-booked or will have to miss two or more meetings.
Instructor's Short Bio: Chloe Lampros-Monroe is a graduate student finishing her MPH degree at George Washington University, where she specializes in Maternal and Child Health.
Teaching Assistant's Bio:
Hi! My name is Ella Wong, and I am a rising senior at Sage Hill School. I've engaged
with the UCI Ethics Center for the past two summers as an intern for Professor Costoiu
and a TA for Professor Kreidie. I am looking forward to engaging in some much-needed
discourse on the ongoing teen mental health crisis this summer!
Module 10: Beyond Yellow: Interpreting Radical Asian American Movements in History. Christina Ong, PhD. Asian and Asian American Studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30-12:30 p.m. PST.
This module will explore the history of Asian America’s political organizing from
the perspective of Asian American activists in New York City. Students will learn
about how historical movements from the 1960s to the 1980s continue to impact the
present day. Through readings, guest speakers, and workshops with the instructor,
students will develop a better understanding of how Asian Americans came to be, how
activists are influenced by their geographic surroundings, and how coalitional politics
has influenced Asian American history. Through the module, students will learn how
to (1) evaluate academic sources and compile reading lists, (2) craft a literature
review, and (3) familiarize themselves with two types of qualitative data: narrative
interviews and archival data.
Instructor's Short Bio: Dr. Christina Ong (she/her) is a postdoctoral scholar in Asian and Asian American Studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She obtained her PhD in Sociology from the University of Pittsburgh in 2024 and her BA in Political Science from UCI in 2014. Her research uncovers how diasporas create community through place-based activism and art production. Her current work chronicles the impact of the Basement Workshop (1969-1986), the first pan-Asian political and arts organization active in Manhattan’s Chinatown. In her spare time, she writes novels and watches a ton of romantic comedies & reality TV.
Module 11: The Ethics and Politics of Community Organizing. Yiwen Huang. UCI Grad student, Mondays and Wednesdays, 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.
Why and how is ethical inquiry an important part of political and social movements?
While conventional social justice discourses focus more on morality, recent scholarship
on activism has increasingly emphasized the central role that ethics plays in the
success of political mobilization. This module looks at the ethics, theory, and practices
of community building in various contexts of political insurgency. We will explore
the following questions: why is the ethics of community building political? How does
modernity, colonialism, and capitalism arrange and limit our everyday relationality?
What are the dangers of ignoring the ethics of community building in social movement
activism and scholarship? What are the difficulties and challenges in building communities
for political resistance for the long haul? To concretize our discussion, we will
combine our theoretical discussions with historical and contemporary examples of community
organizing. Through exposure to materials on Indigenous relationality, black fugitive,
mutual aid, socialist communes, anarchist practices, art activisms, and more, we will
invite each other to imagine, embody, and enact alternative ways of relating to the
world. In this module, interns will be asked to read the required materials, actively
participate in discussions, and (optionally) complete a theoretical reflection on
the ethics of community organizing informed by their own field-work or readings.
Instructor's Short Bio: My name is Yiwen, I am a fifth year PhD student in political science. As a scholar, I am primarily interested in the relationship between feelings and historical writings. My current project unpacks the ways in which interpreters of contemporary political movements in China exhibit an affective attachment to past revolutions, and how this attachment in turn impacts their epistemological projects. More generally, I work on political theory, narratives and memories, affect theory, and labor politics. Outside of academia, I am also a cat mom who loves to draw, make zines, hold film nights with friends, and explore the great cuisines that Southern California offers.
Teaching Assistant's Bio:
Hi everyone! My name is Danny Hahn and I am a rising senior at Crean Lutheran High
School. I previously participated as an intern at the UCI Ethics Center in 2023, engaging
in memory studies on the Chinese Cultural Revolution under the mentorship of PhD student
Yiwen Huang. As a member of the Law Cohort in my high school, I am deeply interested
in investigating power structures through ethical perspectives. In the future, I hope
to make an impact on my community through participation in local government and city
council meetings. Outside academics, I love supporting my favorite soccer team, Tottenham
Hotspur, as well as attending concerts of my favorite artists. I am extremely excited
to be working with all of you this summer.
Teaching Assistant's Bio:
My name is Kameron Pham, and I am a rising senior at University High School. I had
the pleasure of attending Ms. Yiwen Huang’s “The Ethics and Politics of Community
Organizing” this past summer. This was such a valuable experience for me, as I got
to learn more about grassroots political movements and how marginalized groups, like
my own Vietnamese community, can navigate the political process and gain political
traction. This summer, I am excited to assist Ms. Yiwen Huang in teaching and facilitating
meaningful group discussions.
Module 12: Guilty before proven innocent. David Rosten, UCI Graduate, degree in International and Comparative Law from the University of San Diego, former co-chair of the Dean’s Council at UCI, Tuesday and Thursday 1-3.
Week 1: Foundations of the Presumption of Guilt; Historical Roots of “Guilty Until Proven Innocent”- Ancient and Medieval Origin
Week 2: Media and Public Opinion: Creating Criminals Before Trial
Week 3: The “Code of Blue” — Police Culture and Misconduct; Police Misconduct and the Shield of Impunity
Week 4: Reimagining Justice — Criminal Justice System Reforms
For a complete syllabus: Guilty before proven innocent syllabus.
Teaching Assistant's Bio:
Hi everyone! I’m Gianna Grass and I'm a rising senior at JSerra. Through my experience
in the Law Magnet program at my high school, a fellowship with the Institute for Youth
in Policy, and a peer juror for a local crime diversion program, I have developed
a strong foundation in legal studies and public policy. I plan to further that passion
by pursuing a major in Poli Sci/Economics on a Pre-Law track. Last summer, I had the
pleasure of participating as an intern in Professor Monroe’s module: The Self-Examining
Life: Ethics, Young People and Exploring All the Wild Possibilities. This year, I’m
excited to be working with Mr. Rosten as a TA in Module 12, Guilty Until Proven Innocent.
This module presents a unique opportunity to deepen my understanding of complex legal
and social justice issues while contributing to engaging conversations and research.
Outside of school, I love pilates, concerts, going to the beach with friends, and
working on my non-profit, INKspired. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone!
Module 13: Education and Human Flourishing in An Uncertain World. Dr. Paa-Kwesi Heto, Ph.D. Political Science, University of Irvine, California. Wednesday and Friday from 12 p.m. to 3 p. m. (PST).
Education is a powerful tool that can unite people and act as a catalyst for transforming
society. However, in recent times, political leaders have weaponized education, turning
educational spaces into the frontline of cultural wars. They have banned books, pressured
school leaders to teach history selectively, and threatened to gut and/or close the
United States Department of Education. Attacks on education, particularly higher education,
have cast aspersions on the term and all associated with the term. These incidents
raise questions about the nature and value of education in the contemporary world.
I ask, what is education? What is the role of education in an increasingly fraught
and polarized world? This module will grapple with these questions, examine timely
ethical dilemmas, and explore past and current literature. We will work individually
and in groups to advance our shared objective of understanding education’s crucial
role in the new age.
Instructor's Short Bio: Dr. Paa-Kwesi Heto is a project policy analyst at The Institute of Meaningful Engagement at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). He has taught as a visiting professor at the Soka University of America Graduate School. Paa-Kwesi also worked as a fellow at the UCI Ethics Center. Before that, he served as a Vice President at Morgenthau Stirling and Director of Operations at Manchester Trade. In these two roles, Paa-Kwesi served clients such as the World Bank, the World Intellectual Property.
Organization, USAID, the African Union, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, and CARICOM. He is a recipient of the Fulbright scholarship, the International Studies Association (ISA) dissertation completion grant, the 2020 Etel Solingen Outstanding Paper in International Relations Award, the 2020 University of California Irvine Inclusive Excellence Ambassador Award, and the 2018 Global Citizens Award from the Global Connect Program. Paa-Kwesi has five master’s degrees in educational leadership and societal change, behavioral mathematics, demography and social analysis, global studies and international affairs, and political science. His Ph.D. in Political Science is from UCI.
Teaching Assistant's Bio:
Hello, everyone! My name is Mia Wensinger, and I am a rising senior at JSerra High
School. I am honored to work with Professor Heto for Module 13: Education and Human Flourishing in An Uncertain World. Last summer, I participated in the UCI Summer Ethics Module - The Ethics and Politics of Community Organizing. This helped me better understand why and how ethical inquiry is important to political
and social movements. For the past two years, I have tutored underserved students
in the local community of San Juan Capistrano. This has inspired me to seek out a
career that will allow me to study and reform society in some capacity. I look forward
to working with Professor Heto and all members of Module 13 this summer!
Teaching Assistant's Bio:
Hi! My name is Ali Elgalad, and I am a rising senior at Portola High School. I am
very excited to return to the program as a Teaching Assistant as I have a keen interest
in education and its role in fostering human growth. I am excited to support the exploration
of education’s role in shaping individual and societal well-being. With a passion
for learning, I look forward to supporting Dr. Paa-Kwesi Heto and assisting students
as they engage with the course and contribute to meaningful discussions about the
power of education.
Module 14: Trump and the Law. R. G. Wilmot (Wil) Lampros and Monica DeRoche, JD/PhD student, UCI Department of Politics.
Eminent legal scholars and lawyers speak candidly in response to students’ questions about the current state of affairs regarding Trump’s executive decisions and the law. Participants in this module should be prepared to take the lead in posing questions for lawyers who can lend insight into the constitutional and legal issues involved in Trump’s executive orders. The format for this module will be different, consisting of four separate panel discussions in which students will pose questions to the lawyers. Possible topics include birthright citizenship and the 14th Amendment, whether undocumented immigrants have legal rights, equal protection for transgender individuals in the military, the constitutionality of a third term, and the consequences of a possible Trump refusal to comply with judicial decisions.
Instructor's Short Bio: A graduate of NYU Law School, R. G. Wilmot Lampros began his career as an attorney
in a large Wall Street firm. He recently served as president of ALEKS Corporation,
which utilizes AI and has taught math and science online to over 50 million students.
He has broad interests, ranging from constitutional law to archaeogenetics.
Instructor's Short Bio: Monica De Roche is a dual Ph.D./JD candidate in political psychology at the University of California, Irvine. Monica’s work examines institutional violence against women, public policy, trauma, and resilience, as well as novel approaches to mixed-methods and qualitative methodologies. Their latest publication examines ethical issues in contemporary research with human subjects.
Module 15: Solace in times of trouble. Kristen Renwick Monroe, Political Psychology and Ethics, UCI Ethics Center Director. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (PST).
What do we do when disaster strikes and our world seems to fall apart? We all have our dark nights of the soul. We lose people we love to death. Romances fail, we don’t get the job we wanted or fail to be admitted to medical, law, or graduate school. Where do we turn in such times? What bridge do we craft over our troubled waters, to paraphrase Simon and Garfinkel? Religion helps some people. Others find solace in great literature, while still others find it in music or nature. What do you turn to? This module will ask students to produce a document—perhaps a book manuscript—that contains such pieces, either written descriptions by the student of the things that bring them comfort—such as nature, religion, or friendship—or written works that help them regain balance in times of crisis. Alternatively, students may speak with people they respect to ask them about the sources they turn to when seeking solace or at least the feeling of not being alone in the world. Possible readings: E. B. White’s “The Second Tree from the Corner.” Joan Didion’s Blue Nights. Leo Tolstoy’s “What Men Live By” and Kristen Monroe’s The Unspoken Morality of Childhood: Essays on Self-Esteem, Friendship, and the Wisdom of the Everyday. Students who wish to join this module must send an email to KRMonroe@UCI.Edu describing one of the sources of comfort they find.
Module 16: Handling the uncertain future: fear of the unknown, conspiracy theories and avoiding dangerously simplistic solutions. Helen Haste, University of Bath, UK helhaste@aol.com.
Time of module:
Please note differences in week 1.
Week 1; Wednesday and Thursday at 3pm PCT
Week 2-4: Wednesday and Thursday at 10 am -12pm. PCT.
Student should think of Thursday as Haste’s ‘input’ day, and Wednesday (apart from Week 1) as a session where largely, the students report back/share the results of their activities (such as interviews, reviews of readings, media materials, etc.) that Haste will set them the previous Thursday.
Description. Predicting the future is difficult, so we fail to prepare for it effectively. COVID-19, increasing awareness of accelerated climate change, the rise of extremism, backlash against ‘wokeness,’ and the second presidency of Donald Trump - all have ruptured our faith in progressive, manageable change that we can control. This faith rested on a longstanding post-Enlightenment model of change as gradual and ultimately progressive. Shattering that model, recent ruptures force us to recognize a radically uncertain future and that both lay and scientific ‘future stories,’ predictions, and prescriptions are deeply flawed by deep-rooted anxiety and avoidance of uncertainty. They reveal that we often make less-than-rational decisions and fail to use evidence effectively. They expose how a deep fear of the uncertain leads to seeking simple and comforting explanations and solutions - conspiracy theories being just one. There are significant implications for both education and policy. How do we equip young people – and the experts of tomorrow – to be effective in an uncertain world? How do we manage uncertainty and ambiguity productively and creatively? How do we avoid the seduction of the neat - but dangerously simplistic – solution? Education must not only teach how to avoid flaws in information processing but also equip people to manage, rather than flee, ambiguity and uncertainty. This module examines specific examples of recent ‘ruptures,’ including failures of prediction resulting from outdated or limited models, cognitive biases that distort the effective use of information, and ethical or political perspectives whose objectives skew judgment and perception. The module draws on Haste’s work over several decades on social movements and social change, ethics, and education for effective citizenship.
Instructor's Bio. Helen Haste is Professor Emerita in Psychology at the University of Bath, UK, and was a Visiting Professor at Harvard Graduate School of Education from 2003-2018, where she was director of the Spencer Foundation-funded New Civics Early Career Scholars' 39 Program, which supported doctoral students researching civic education and civic engagement. For five decades, she has been working on the development of young people’s moral, civic, and political beliefs, identity, and behavior. Her work is based on a theory of culture. She has also worked on cultural factors in science and society. A strand in this work has also been the role of gender and feminist theory. Her research on civic and moral engagement and education includes questions about ethics, moral, social, and civic understanding, and the relationship between values, activism, and citizenship. What promotes and what inhibits youth civic participation? Her current work is on the implications of social change for education, ethics, and competencies, especially on the management of uncertainty. Haste is the author or editor of eight books and over 200 scholarly papers. She was co-editor of the journal Political Psychology (2010-2015) and was President of the International Society of Political Psychology in 2002. She has held a number of international visiting appointments, including in China. She is a recipient of the International Society of Political Psychology’s Sanford Award and Knutson Award, as well as the Association for Moral Education’s Kuhmerker Award for her contribution to the field of moral development. She is a Fellow of the British Academy of Social Science, the British Psychological Society, and the Royal Society of Arts. For many years, she had leadership roles in the British Association for the Advancement of Science. She has been a frequent contributor to broadcasting and public media.
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