Ethics Bowl Creative Inquiry: the Doors it Can Open

Courtney Dixon

In past editions we’ve run some articles about the Ethics Bowl team. The team in reality operates as a creative inquiry team and students choose to take it as a for-credit course over multiple semesters. Clemson alumna and current first year Yale Law School student, Courtney Dixon, provides another perspective on the experience. In Courtney’s words: "Ethics Bowl was a really fun experience that allowed me to develop research skills, public speaking, my ability to construct arguments, distinguish situations, and think on my feet - all skills that are extremely helpful for a law student and a lawyer in general." 

Courtney graduated from Clemson in May 2012 with a dual degree in Philosophy and Political Science. She participated in the Ethics Bowl team for four semesters as one of the presenting students. (There are presenters and alternates who assist and prepare with the presenters.)



2010 Region Champions (l to r): Nikki Powell, Spencer Taylor,
Calla Jean, Yancey Appling and Courtney Dixon

 “(One) scholarship that I interviewed for was a program with NYU Law for first generation students going into graduate or professional schools. About 8 of us interviewed with a panel that included Justice Clarence Thomas last spring. Other similar panels happened on the west coast and in New York City with other judges and practitioners.” As is the case with most such interviews, she said that each of the interviewers had a copy of her entire application, including essays, letters of recommendation, and resume. Courtney went on to say that the first thing they asked her about was her experience on the Ethics Bowl team and an example of a case she had done and how she defended it. How’s that for a value-added option for a creative inquiry experience?!?! Courtney said it sparked some interesting discussion. After she assessed all of her options, Courtney decided to attend Yale and is happy to be there (just not looking forward to the winter months!).  She is grateful for the role that participation in the Ethics Bowl Team played in her time at Clemson and beyond. Courtney was also the first student from the Department of Philosophy and Religion to intern at the SC Supreme Court – gaining other valuable experience and leveraging her Ethics Bowl Team experience. 



2nd Place at Nationls 2012 (front row, from left)
Kyle Sporrer, Yancey Appling, Eric Reeves;
(2nd row, from left) Charles Starkey-coach, Courtney Dixon
and Anna Little



Interested in becoming a member of the Ethics Bowl Team? It is a creative inquiry. If so, contact Dr. Daniel Wueste at or 864.656.6147.