Description: This assignment aims to assess your application of the knowledge of ethical reasoning you have acquired so far and analyze ethical problems found in different fields and topics using the ethics and moral theories which have been introduced in the course.
Instructions:
Work in Pairs: You are encouraged to work in groups of 2 students each. Speak with your instructor if you have any issue with identifying a partner.
Time: Prepare and present a PowerPoint for between 6 to 8 minutes (3-4 minutes per person) on one of the following topics, in which you apply one or two of our ethics theories to the issue.
Grading: Although you will collaborate with a partner on the presentation you will be graded separately on your content knowledge, delivery & quantity, critical thinking & originality. You should ensure each of you answers at least one question at the end of the presentation.
Topics:
1. You should pick one of the case studies we explored in class or one of the topics below
2. You should create an ethical dilemma/question for your presentation
3. You should apply to one or two question to it
4. You should engage your audience on this topic
1- Over the past decades, there have been many concerns over the negative impact of big manufacturing companies on the environment. Discuss this issue in light of ethics, present examples and demonstrate your opinions on the best practices in this area.
2- Many drugs, cosmetics, and substances that are intended for human use are tested on animals before being manufactured and sold in the market. What are some ethical issues, problems, or benefits of animal testing? Research the topic and present your arguments.
3- Recent history involves many examples of research projects on human subjects which lacked proper ethical practice. Research the topic, present examples and analyze them in light of ethical reasoning. Is it worth sacrificing a few ethical considerations in research to achieve informative results?
4- In the medical field, patient consent to treatment is an important consideration. Consider a situation where a patient refuses a treatment which the doctor knows that it is necessary to save their life, is it ethical to force that treatment on the patient despite their refusal? Discuss the ethical issues and concepts related to patient consent and present your arguments.
5- Modern technological advancements provided many opportunities for public surveillance. Things like application data usage, cameras with face recognition, and other technologies have made breaching privacy easier. Yet, some may argue that these technologies provide a potential for a safer, more secure world. Discuss this issue ethically using examples.
Guidelines
● Begin your presentation by providing background information about the issue. This may be a historical background of when the issue started or a general background on the processes involved in the issue.
● Identify and present the ethical issues you think the topic includes. Think of the ethical problems the topic entails, why it is ethical/unethical, and what has been said about the issue.
● Provide at least one real-life example where companies/studies/technologies involved the issue you are focusing on. What was right/wrong about those examples?
● Argue your position. Show how you believe the issue is ethical/unethical or show how you think the issue should be regulated. It is important that you build your arguments around the theories of ethical reasoning in your analysis and show and explain how the theory can apply to the issue.
● Create your presentation with Microsoft PowerPoint. The presentation should follow the UDST template and consist of at least 12 slides. Do not write everything on the slides. Write only bullet points highlighting your analysis and Include pictures or graphs. You can explain in more detail during your presentation.
● Submit the presentation to the dropbox by the deadline
