This is an optional class for competent students who have determined an appropriate topic through consultation with their chosen faculty advisor. Students will pursue in-depth research on a specific topic in Ethics and Public Affairs. Pertinent themes include those related to any of the three main areas of study— society and culture; ethics and public affairs; science, technology and the environment—as well as topics itemized as relevant areas for independent inquiry which also engage more or less with the above three main areas of studies (e.g. media, education, religion, sports, arts, information and communication technology). The length of the dissertation should be either about 15,000 Chinese characters or about 12,000 English words (not including bibliography and footnotes).