When Professor Naomi Janowitz teaches her winter quarter ethics class, she hopes to see some administrators, faculty and other staff among the traditional students.

Because, in her view, the subject — practical ethics — is important \to discuss.

"I want to try to open up some of these topics on campus," said Janowitz, director of Religious Studies.

Class topics will include sexuality, plagiarism, reality TV, torture, the moral value of celebrity power, and even people's relationships with animals, according to a flier for Janowitz's Humanities 1 course, "Sex, Lies and Videotape: Introduction to Ethics Today."

She said the class is officially full, with 120 students signed up. But, she said, the room has space for staff members wishing to participate for no credit. They could attend during their lunch hour: The class is scheduled to meet from 12:10 to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in 198 Young Hall.

Janowitz issued a similar invitation to staff a year or so ago. That time the class topic was violence and nonviolence.

"All I ask is that interested people should make a commitment to doing the reading and coming regularly to class," Janowitz said. She said she is asking the class to read a book titled Being Good: A Short Introduction to Ethics, by Simon Blackburn.

Additionally, Janowitz said, administrators, faculty and other staff members are invited — but not required — to sign up for discussion sections: 4:10 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays or 6:10 to 8 p.m. Thursdays.

The course is being funded by a recent gift to the Religious Studies Program from Grant Noda and his wife.

Staff members interested in attending should contact Dee Shannon at drshannon@ucdavis.edu.