What is Ethics Bowl?
Who will judge the teams?
What criteria are used for judging?
How do we prepare for the event?
Is there a cost to participate?
What do teams receive?
What is the schedule for the competition?
How do I register?
Who do I contact for questions?

What is Ethics Bowl?
Ethics Bowl is an event inspired by the nationally televised College Bowl. It began in 1995 as an intercollegiate competition developed by faculty at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. Marian University has sponsored the Central States Regional Ethics Bowl since 1999.

Teams of three-to-five college students exercise their moral reasoning skills in a friendly and competitive atmosphere. This is a multidisciplinary event open to all undergraduate majors and interests.

In an Ethics Bowl match, a moderator will question two teams, one defending team and one opposing team, on each case. Teams will receive a set of cases prior to the match. However, they will not know in advance which case they will be asked to discuss or the question that they will be asked. After the defending team has answered the question, the opposing team will rebut the defending team’s answer. The defending team may respond to the opposing team’s rebuttal. After the judges evaluate both teams on their performance, the teams reverse roles for the next round and the next case.

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Who will judge the teams?
Judges are selected to provide a wide range of background, experience, and perspective. Past judges include business executives, chief executive officers, college professors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and other highly respected members of the community.

Evaluations are not based on right or wrong answers, but on the team’s ability to defend a stance.

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What criteria are used for judging?
Teams are scored on clarity, depth, focus, and logic. Scores are presented after each round.

Clarity: The ability to present a clear, specific argument that is internally consistent and easily understood by the judges.

Depth: The thoroughness of the team's argument, attention to detail, and the use of outside reference or fact.

Focus: The ability to relate questions to the case at hand; concentration on the main issue, not on superficial or peripheral details.

Logic: The validity of the team's reasoning; the use of reasonable judgment; the ability to present an argument that is plausible, persuasive, and cogent.

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How do we prepare for the event?
The set of cases will be mailed to participating teams and will include all the questions from which competition questions will be chosen. In preparing for the competition, teams should work with their faculty coaches and other experts or advisors for guidance on answers and consistency.

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Is there a cost to participate?
There is a $50 per team participation fee. Checks should be made payable to the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics. Payment should be sent to:

Vickie Carson
Marian University School of Liberal Arts
3200 Cold Spring Road
Indianapolis, Indiana 46222

What do teams receive?
All teams receive a t-shirt, morning refreshments, and a buffet lunch. The winning team will receive a trophy and a $500 scholarship to be used toward attending the national Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl competition. This competition takes place at the annual meeting of the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics.

What is the schedule for the competition?
** This schedule is subject to change. **

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How do I register?

Register Online
The deadline for registration forms is Friday, October 2, 2009.

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Who do I contact for questions?
Refer to our contact page for more information.

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