The Ethics of History

NDSU	Northern Plains Ethics Institute	Joint Initiative
	Center for Heritage Renewal

The fundamental goal of “The Ethics of History” is the practice of good history—“good” not only in that it adheres to scholarly standards but also in that it serves the public good. More specifically, in pursuit of its fundamental goal, this joint enterprise of the NPEI and the CHR

· Defines the publics served by historians, that is, the people to whom historians have ethical obligations

· Encourages historians, as they do their work, to recognize their publics and to reflect on their relationships with them

· Explores and documents the diversity of ethical questions faced by historians

· Provides guidance and training to in-service and apprentice historians in the ethics of history

· Promotes dialog between ethicists and historians in the spirit of the humanities

Elements of the Initiative

“The Ethics of History” is a long-term project comprising four elements: consultative, documentary, reflective, and educational.

Element	Activities	Products
Consultative	Focus groups of working historians in the various applications of history (archives, historic preservation, museums, publications, schools, the academy)	Network of contacts & collaborators in the branches of the historical profession
		White papers for presentation to professional groups and posting in the project website
Documentary	Consulting visits by history professionals who have experienced significant and salient ethical issues	Oral history archive of ethical case studies in the historical profession
		Seminars and public programming at NDSU
		Dissemination to the broader public via webcast and permanent website
Reflective	Compilation of bibliography and library on the ethics of history	Resource base for NDSU use and for dissemination via website
	Consulting visits by ethicists invited to discuss ethical concerns of history professionals and ethical controversies documented	Seminars and public programming at NDSU
		Dissemination to the broader public via webcast and permanent website
	Study and synthesis by resident ethicists and historians	White papers for presentation to professional groups and posting in the project website
Educational	In consultation with contacts & collaborators, production of educational materials and units	Curricular reform in the History program at NDSU
		In-service sessions for professional groups
		Dissemination to the public via website
		Publication of a reader or anthology on the ethics of History, comprising essays and case studies