Ethical Decision-Making Essay (10%-15% of overall course grade)
Overview
You will be given a case study by your instructor. The case study presents an ethical dilemma that requires an ethical decision. In a 600-800 word (typed) essay, you will analyze the situation using more than one ethical theory, briefly explain the ethical theories and concepts, and consider how these theories might be applied to this scenario. You will consider the implications or consequences if these ethical perspectives are applied. You will also analyze the situation from your own personal ethical perspective and clarify the values and beliefs that guide your ethical decision-making. A glossary of terms and references are listed on the last page of this assignment.
Essay Guidelines:
Create the Introduction (first paragraph)
Clearly state the ethical dilemma that will be analyzed in the essay (topic sentence).
Write as if you do not know who will be reading your essay.
Provide all relevant information so the reader has a full understanding of the issue.
Summarize the situation with fairness to all parties: Who were the people involved? What happened? Where and when did this take place?
Acknowledge the complexities of the situation and why the context is important.
Why is this an ethical issue? Is it significant enough to take action?
Why is an ethical decision required?
Clearly state the purpose (THESIS STATEMENT). Tell the readers what will follow and why they should continue reading.
Develop the Body (3-5 paragraphs)
Analyze the situation using more than one ethical theory (given in lectures, online resources, and the course textbook).
The Utilitarian Approach
The Rights Approach
The Fairness or Justice Approach
The Common Good Approach
The Virtue Approach
Reference: A Framework for Thinking Ethically. Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. Santa Clara University. May 2009.
The NCA Credo for Ethical Communication p.13
The Golden Rule p.34, 65
4 Principles of Interpersonal Ethics p. 151
Ethical Group Decision-Making p. 204
Reference: Engleberg, Isa N. & Wynn, Dianna R. Think Communication. 3rd Edition. Pearson
;Education, Inc. 2015.
Explain the key concepts and rules of each theory citing the sources in-text. What ethical rule from each theory might apply to this situation? (1-2 paragraphs)
Consider the implications and consequences of each decision if the character applied these perspectives or rules to this situation. Consider alternate perspectives and reasons why the character may decide not to act in an ethical manner. (1-2 paragraphs)
If you were involved in a situation like this, what would you do? Analyze the situation from your own ethical perspective. Clarify the beliefs and values that guide your ethical thinking, conduct, and decision-making. (1 paragraph)
Follow these writing guidelines:
Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that effectively states the purpose of the paragraph (a claim, statement, assertion, argument).
Develop sentences that are logical and clear. Ideas should flow logically. Paragraphs should be unified and work together to support the thesis.
Make paragraphs coherent by using effective and appropriate transitions between ideas and paragraphs.
Develop main ideas in depth by using a variety of supporting material: examples and illustrations, expert opinion, statistics, reasons and research evidence.
Stay focused on the purpose and stick to the questions throughout the essay.
Show how each point is relevant to that question.
Write the Conclusion
Restate the thesis.
Provide closure:
A link to the introduction.
A challenge to the reader.
A personal idea that relates to the ethical issue.
An appeal to the readers needs or values.
Essay Checklist and Important Reminders
The essay should not sound as if the writer is answering a series of questions.
The purpose of the essay should be clear to the reader.
The thesis should be clearly stated in the introduction.
Relevant background information should be provided in the introduction so the audience has a clear understanding of the ethical issue and why an ethical decision is required.
The introduction should engage the reader.
Essay is well-organized.
Essay is written in Standard English.
Essay is free of grammatical and syntax errors.
Word choice and phrases are appropriate and effective.
Main ideas are fully developed, supported, and show critical thinking.
Ideas flow logically. Sentence structure is correct, coherent, and varied.
Outside sources are integrated smoothly in the essay. The essay includes correctly formatted in-text citations and a correct Works Cited page.
The essay follows MLA guidelines.
The conclusion provides closure and restates the thesis.
The essay reflects a sense of audience.
The tone and style are appropriate for the essays purpose and audience.
There is a clear voice and point of view. The writer is identified with a quality (honesty, sincerity, intelligence). The audience should get a sense of the writer.
Facts are distinguished from opinions.
Opinions are supported and qualified.
Opposing views are represented fairly.
If plagiarism is evident in the essay, .. .. (instructor adds his or her policy)
Essay is spell-checked and edited.
Sources: Rubric for English 1301 Assessment, Brookhaven College 2008-2009; Brookhaven College Grading Standards for English Essays
Format Requirements
Your name and section number on the top of the first page
Double-spaced
12-point Times New Roman (no script or bold)
600 800 words total; the equivalent of 2 3 pages
Effective usage, word, and phrase choices; proper spelling, syntax, and grammar
Glossary of Ethical Terms
A core belief is a principle or fundamental belief which guides a persons actions or decisions. A core belief can change over time.
Ethics refer to standards of right and wrong that influence our core beliefs and values, our ethical conduct and ethical thinking. Our ethics guide our daily actions and behavior, including our communication with family, friends, co-workers, and the community. Ethics also refers to the study and development of ones ethical standards.
Character traits associated with ethics include honesty, truth-seeking, integrity, responsibility, respect, compassion and empathy.
An ethical issue is a problem or situation that requires a person to choose between alternatives based on standards of moral conduct.
Ethical standards impose obligations to do the right thing, to stand up for our rights and the rights of others.
Ethical perspectives/concepts are the different theoretical means through which ethical issues are analyzed, such as ethical theories (e.g. utilitarian, natural law, virtue) or ethical concepts (e.g. rights, justice, duty).
Ethical Reasoning is reasoning about right and wrong human conduct. It requires students to be able to assess their own ethical values and the social context of problems, recognize ethical issues in a variety of settings, think about how different ethical perspectives might be applied to ethical dilemmas and consider the ramifications of alternative actions. Students ethical self-identity evolves as they practice ethical decision-making skills and learn how to describe and analyze positions on ethical issues.
Context is the historical, cultural, professional, or political situation, background, or environment that applies to a given ethical issue.
A perspective is a world view that informs core beliefs and ethical opinions. It is how one sees oneself, other people, and the world. Perspectives are not limited to theories and concepts in ethical philosophy. They may also include political and religious convictions, cultural assumptions, and attitudes shaped by ones family, background, and experiences.
Glossary from the Ethical Reasoning VALUE Rubric copyrighted 2010 by the Association of Colleges and Universities, Stephen F. Austin State Universitys Personal Responsibility Rubric 2014, and the Ethics Resource Center website.
Resources
Baldwin, John R. Ethics: Can We Determine What Is Right or Wrong Across Cultures? School of
Communication. Illinois State University. Updated May 20, 2013. Accessed Web 1 August 2014.
http://my.ilstu.edu/~jrbaldw/372/Ethics.htm
This is reading material that Baldwin posts for his class, COM 372, Theory and Research in Intercultural Communication. Besides defining ethics, he describes five classical approaches to ethics and three principles of ethical communication, which piggyback on the NCA Code of Ethics. He cites numerous authors and ends with case studies.http://www.ethics.org/page/ethics-toolkit
The Ethics Resource Center primarily focuses on business ethics or workplace ethics. If you open the Resources link and click Ethics Toolkit, you will find an excellent glossary of ethical terms, definition of values, and an ethical decision-making link which goes above and beyond the basic decision-making model and applies each step to an ethical dilemma in an organization. It is extensive and in-depth.
Frey, William. Ethics of Teamwork. Connexions. December 2, 2013. Rice University. Web. 28.July.2014 Accessed. http://cnx.org/content/m13760/latest/
Sternberg, Robert J. Teaching for Ethical Reasoning in Liberal Education. Liberal Education. Summer 2010.
This article really helped me understand the purpose of this assignment. Sternberg gives a good rationale why ethical reasoning should be taught across disciplines. He makes it clear that we are not teaching ethics or values.We are teaching a process of reasoning or a way of thinking about issues of right and wrong. He is much more concerned about the reasoning processes that lead students to a conclusion as opposed to the conclusions they reach.
Velasquez Manuel, Moberg, Dennis, Meyer, Michael J., Shanks, Thomas, McLean, Margaret R., DeCosse, David, Andr, Claire, Hanson, Kirk O. A Framework for Thinking Ethically. Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. Santa Clara University. May 2009. Web 7 August 2014 Accessed.
USC Levan Institute Online Ethics Resource Center. University of Southern California. http://dornsife.usc.edu/usc-levan-institute-online-ethics-center/
This website provides faculty with strategies for incorporating ethics into their courses. Includes an Ethics Toolkit, Teaching Ethics, and Moral Education Research.
Wilson, Chloe. Picking Up the Slack. The Big Q. Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. March 11, 2013. Santa Clara University. Web. 28 July 2014 Accessed.