In spite of an increased emphasis on technical training within the college curriculum, there is a growing realization that the humanities in general and ethics in particular are vital to the student's personal development and moral enlightenment. Accordingly, LaGuardia Community College, with the financial backing of the National Endowment for the Humanities, is conducting a Public History Program (PHP) that integrates literature and ethics in the exploration of five topics related to the local history of the Borough of Queens (New York): transportation, work, housing, leisure, and aging. Through seminars, learning packages, traveling exhibits, calendars, and broadsides, the PHP attempts to identify the central values woven into these historical issues. Since differing personal values, which are not often consciously recognized, cause confrontations between individuals and groups, this ethical examination should open lines of communication between people, demonstrate the insignificance of many interpersonal disputes, provide a clearer understanding of students' own values and the values of others, and allow individuals to take more control over the forces that govern their lives. Appended to the paper are examples of the ethics materials developed for the PHP learning packages, which raise ethical questions for discussion related to work, the social costs of progress, and the themes of an exhibit of housing photographs. (JP)