Speech 1311

ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING CASE STUDY

Essay Directions

ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW

The case study for this ethical decision essay assignment was written by Chloe Wilson and is titled Picking Up the Slack, which presents a common ethical dilemma that you find when working on a team. Your assignment is to write an essay analyzing this ethical scenario. The following are the steps to follow:

· Read Picking Up the Slack case study so you understand the ethical dilemma that Greg is facing.

· Explain why this is an ethical issue that requires an ethical decision.

· Now learn about the different ethical standards that can be used when making an ethical decision. When facing an ethical situation, one way to determine what action to take is to evaluate the situation using the Five Approaches to Ethical Standards discussed in the article titled A Framework for Thinking Ethically.

· After reading the Framework article, learn more about ethical decision-making by finding at least two other sources that you will use in your essay. One of these sources may be your Think Communication or Practically Speaking textbook. More sources are listed on the last page of this assignment under References. Feel free to explore this topic using other articles or books.

· Once you understand the Five Approaches to Ethical Standards, analyze Greg’s dilemma from more than one ethical standard. Determine the action Greg should take if he applied these ethical standards. Consider the consequences and possible outcomes of his actions.

· Glossary of Ethical Terms is listed on the third page of this assignment.

· Also at the end of the Framework article, there is information about a free Ethical Decision Making app for your mobile device that you might find useful; however, this is not required. I found this app to be interesting as it can be used for future ethical dilemmas and does not just apply to this assignment.

· Now that you know more about ethical decision-making and determined a course of action based on these approaches, analyze this dilemma from your own ethical perspective. If you were Greg, what would you do? Which ethical standard would you apply if you were in this situation?

· Last discuss the ethical values and core beliefs that influence your ethical conduct and ethical thinking.

ESSAY FORMAT REQUIREMENTS

· 400 – 600 words total (about 1 ½ pages).

· Your name and section number in the top right hand corner of the first page.

· Center the title of essay at the top of the first page.

· Two sources of evidence to support your interpretation of the ethical standards and conclusions. Sources must be cited in your essay.

· Use effective word usage and phrase choices; proper spelling, syntax, and grammar.

SOURCES ARE REQUIRED USING APA STYLE

· In your essay, you will refer to the Picking Up the Slack case study and A Framework for Thinking Ethically article, which must be cited in the text of your essay and the Reference page or it is considered plagiarizing.

· In addition to this source (A Framework for Thinking Ethically article), one other source is required, and may be from our textbook or the NCA Credo for Ethical Communication. You may use additional sources, but they too must be credible and cited properly. See below for more information on evaluating sources and evidence.

· Plagiarizing Policy: If all sources are not properly cited in the essay and Reference page, then zero points will be earned for this assignment.

EVALUATING SOURCES AND EVIDENCE

· Is the author an authority on the subject? (background and credentials)

· Is the information relevant to the assignment?

· Is the information accurate? (reliable, correct)

· Is the information current and up-to-date?

· Is the information objective, unbiased, and complete?

· Evidence should be relevant, credible, sufficient, and free from fallacies.

· Internet information and websites should be used with caution. Be skeptical if

· The source or author is not named.

· The author’s credentials are not given.

· The website is not current (has not been updated).

· The information is biased.

ESSAY GUIDELINES (How to write your essay)

1st Create the Introduction (first paragraph):

· Write as if you do not know who will be reading your essay and assume your reader has not read the case study.

· Clearly state the ethical dilemma that will be analyzed in the essay (topic sentence).

· Provide a brief summary so the reader has a full understanding of the issue (remember the reader has not read the case study). Summarize the situation with fairness to all parties.

· End your introduction with a clearly stated purpose, which is your thesis statement. Tell your reader what will follow in the body of your essay.

2nd Develop the Body (minimum 3 paragraphs):

· After reading A Framework for Thinking Ethically, follow the directions above and analyze the ethical dilemma using the Five Approaches to Ethical Standards. Consider the implications and consequences of each decision if these approaches were applied to this situation. Assume your reader has no knowledge of these approaches so explain the key concepts. (1-2 paragraphs)

· If you were involved in a situation like this, what would you do? Analyze the situation using the ethical standard that you would apply to this situation. Discuss the implications and consequences of your decision if you used this standard as a rationale for your decision. (1 paragraph)

· Next discuss how this ethical standard is similar or different from your own ethical values and core beliefs. Discuss your core beliefs and how they evolved to form your ethical identity. How do your core beliefs guide your ethical thinking and ethical conduct today? Which core beliefs influenced your decision in this dilemma? (1 paragraph)

· According to the AACU’s Ethical Reasoning VALUES Rubric,

· Core beliefs “can reflect one’s environment, religion, culture or training.”

· Core beliefs are “fundamental principles that consciously or unconsciously influence one’s ethical conduct and ethical thinking . . . . even if they are unacknowledged.”

· You may or may not choose to act on your core beliefs.

· In general, your core beliefs shape your responses when faced with an ethical decision.

· For the body of your essay, follow these writing guidelines:

· Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that effectively states the purpose of the paragraph.

· 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.

3rd Write the Conclusion (last paragraph):

· Restate the thesis.

· Provide a summary and closure.

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 and reflect an awareness of the audience.

· 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.

· The essay should be well-organized, written in Standard English, and free of grammatical and syntax errors.

· Word choice and phrases should be appropriate and effective.

· Main ideas should be fully developed, supported, and show critical thinking.

· Ideas should flow logically. Sentence structure should be correct, coherent, and varied.

· Outside sources should be smoothly integrated in the essay. The essay should include correctly formatted in-text citations and a correct Reference page.

· The conclusion should provide closure and restate the thesis.

· The tone and style are appropriate for the essay’s 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 and opposing views are represented fairly.

· Essay has been spell-checked and edited.

GLOSSARY OF ETHICAL TERMS (by AACU and Stephen F. Austin State University)

· Character traits associated with ethics include honesty, truth-seeking, integrity, responsibility, respect, compassion and empathy.

· A core belief is a principle or fundamental belief which guides a person’s 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.

· An ethical dilemma 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/others’ rights.

· 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 you to be able to assess your 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. Your ethical self-identity evolves as you 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 one’s family, background.

References

Engleberg, I. & Wynn, D.  Think Communication. New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc. 2015.

Print.

“Ethical Reasoning Value Rubric.” American Association of Colleges and Universities. American Association of Colleges and Universities. 2009. Web. 15 Aug. 2014.

“Personal Responsibility Value Rubric.” Stephen F. Austin University. Stephen F. Austin University. 2014. Web. 15 July 2014.

"NCA Credo for Ethical Communication." National Communication Association.  National Communication Association, Nov. 1999. Web. 28 Oct. 2015.

Rothwell, D. Practically Speaking. New York: Oxford University Press. 2014. Print.

Velasquez, M. et al. “A Framework for Thinking Ethically.” Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. Santa Clara University. May 2009. Web. 15 Aug. 2014.

Wilson, C. “Picking Up the Slack (Big Q).” Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. Santa Clara University. 11 Mar. 2013. Web. 15 Aug. 2014.

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