The Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics Essay Contest 2008 is accepting essays on contemporary ethical topics that college students must face on a day-to-day basis. The contest’s purpose is to challenge students to analyze their own perception and thoughts on ethics by writing thought provoking essays that raise questions. The program encourages full-time juniors and seniors to enter the contest.
The deadline for the contest is December 7, 2007. A panel of judges will evaluate all essay entries. This panel of judges will include Elie Wiesel. The winners will be announced in April, 2008.
The program includes a list of suggested topics to write on. However, these topics are only suggestions and not requirements. The topics include the following.
What does your on experience tell you about the relationship between politics and ethics and, in particular, what could be done to make politics more ethical?
Articulate with clarity an ethical issue that you have encountered and analyze what it has taught you about ethics and yourself.
Carefully examine the ethical aspects or implications of a major literary work, a film, or a significant piece of art.
Clearly analyze the relationship between religions and ethics in today’s world.
How does a recent political or cultural event shed light on the ethics of rebellion/revolution?
Prizes are awarded for first, second, and third place, as well as honorable mentions. First Prize is $5,000. Second Prize is $2,500. Third Prize is is $1,500. Honorable mentions are $500 each. Past winners include topic titles such as “The Ethics of South African Identity,” “Guilty and Exonerated: Growing Up with the Death Penalty,” and “Morality and Memory: Schindler’s List and the Ethics of Representation.”
For more information on the program, guidelines, and an entry form visit www.eliewieselfoundation.org.