Assignment:
Ethical Case Study Assignment Sheet
Select a case study you have not used in the discussion threads. Select one ethical system and one concept of justice and apply the ethical system and concept of justice to the case study you selected.
1. Getting Started
o Outline your essay
o Make your decision
- Critically analyze the case, determine the potential courses of action, and - most importantly - take a clear and decisive position with respect to what you would do based on a particular ethical system if you were one of the lead characters in this case.
- Weigh pros and cons. Show pros outweigh the cons, from the perspective of the ethical system you selected.
2. Mindset of the Paper
o If the case study you select does not indicate who you are in relation to the case, take the role of one of the lead characters in the case - this will allow you to write with authority on the topic.
o Assume the audience knows nothing about the case.
o View your paper as a "position paper." Although it includes "explanation," your task is to understand the context, to evaluate the evidence, and then to make a decision concerning the appropriate course of action based on the ethical system you select, which you support through arguments and counter-arguments.
o Take a clear and decisive position -what would you do if you were one of the lead characters in this case based on the ethical system you select?
3. Answer the prompt:
o Select one ethical framework and one concept of justice. This should be the bulk of your paper. Almost all of your paper should be devoted to explaining the ethical framework underlying your decision, but you will use this particular case to explain that system.
- You should spend considerable time explaining the ethical system, elaborating on the ethical system, and applying it to the particular case.
- Likewise, you should spend considerable time and space to explaining, elaborating on, and applying a concept of justice to this case.
- Remember that this is an ethics course. You should demonstrate that you understand the ethical systems and concepts of justice in depth.
o Identify the facts, including all parties involved and their rights and responsibilities. After identifying the facts objectively, state how that ethical framework and concept of justice would frame those facts.
o Identify the salient ethical issues of the case according to the ethical system and concept of justice you selected.
o Identify the relevant values, conceptual issues, social constraints, and any additional information necessary for an accurate understanding of the case from the perspective of the ethical system and concept of justice you selected.
o Formulate possible courses of action based on the ethical system and concept of justice you selected. Explain the possible courses of action appropriate for this ethical system and concept of justice.
o Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of those actions according to the ethical system and concept of justice you selected, indicating which course of action the ethical system and concept of justice indicates you would choose and why.
o Provide your own evaluation; do not regurgitate others' opinions. Use appropriate sources to support your position.
o Find at least TWO peer-reviewed journal articles and incorporate the findings from those articles to support your position on this case.
- The peer-reviewed journal articles can relate: to cases or topics similar to this, to the ethical system you select, to the concept of justice you select, or to any other aspect that will help support your decision.
- Use your facts/sources to convince me of your ethical point of view.
- Your sources can be used in different points throughout the paper, as they support your argument about the ethics of this case.
Cite your sources in the text and list in bibliography.
• Use Article Databases from the library:
o https://www.library.webster.edu/databases/index.html
General and multidisciplinary databases:
- academic Search Complete
- Quick Article Search
Specialized databases:
- Philosopher's Index: philosophy, ethics (under Religious Studies & Philosophy)
- PsychInfo: psychology, delinquency (under Psychology, Counseling & Social Sciences)
- SocINDEX: sociology, criminology, deviance (under Psychology, Counseling & Social Sciences
- LexisNexis: legal, business, medical related issues (under Law, Political Science & Internation al Relations)
Cite your sources in APA style
• APA style help:
o APA Formatting and Style:
o The Basics of APA Style (tutorial):
Technical Requirements
• 6 to 10 page essay double spaced (not including bibliography)
• 12pt font, Times New Roman
• 1" margins
• Page numbers on the bottom, right-hand side of each page
• Your last name in the footer (with the page number)
• The title of your paper in the header (appearing on every page except the first)