Assignment:
In this paper, you will be demonstrating your ability to analyze an ethical issue within your discipline or field. This will entail researching a specific act of unethical conduct. However, most of the paper will be dedicated to deciphering the ethical dilemma, analyzing the ethical issues, and applying ethical reasoning and a moral theory to handling the issue.
Respond to the following: What act of ethical misconduct or malfeasance has occurred within your field or discipline within the last several years (10 years max, no papers on Enron or Bernie Madoff)? Why is it a matter of ethics, what actions should we take to understand its significance, and how should we approach ethically to enact a resolution or prevent it from happening again?
The first part of the paper should cover all the relevant facts of the case. This section is not usually original work. Rather, this section relies on the reported facts found in newspapers and journals.
The second part, which is the bulk of your paper, should be an outworking of your moral theory. Now that we have the facts, give us your ethical analysis. Break down the event into a philosophical discussion of the central ethical issues involved. This second is the heart of your argument. This section is not a summary but an argument.
The last section is your “solution.” As Elshtain states, moral judgement is calling something by its real name and then taking the right action. Calling something by its real name is what you did in the previous section. Now that we know what we are look at, by your philosophical analysis, you need to tell us what the right action is. How do we punish the wrongdoers? How do we prevent this from happening again?
Things to remember:
This is not a paper in where you merely provide research about an ethical issue. You must provide a philosophical and ethical analysis, which you formulate into an argument.
Your discussion of factual information is to bolster your argument and not simply summarize an ethical issue.
To strengthen your argument, you will want to illustrate the significance of your ethical belief.
To strengthen your argument, you will want to illustrate how your ethical belief impacts society.
Format:
1. Have a cover sheet that has the following information:
a. The title of the paper
b. Your name
c. The course title
2. At the top of the first page of text, put the title of the paper but not your name.
3. Don’t put your name on any pages of the paper (except the cover sheet).
4. Number your pages.
5. Provide proper footnote citations.
6. Use 12 point font (no large fonts)
7. Use 1” margins
8. Double space
9. 6 full pages