This assignment requires you to analyze the ethics case you and your partner selected and

1. Summarize your analysis in a written report,  and

2. Present a debate illustrating two different and competing ways of resolving the ethical dilemma before the class.

Remember, the primary issue to look at is communication ethics.  Focus your attention on what should be done by those you have identified as "responsible for ethical action.  (What is or is not legal or practical or effective isn't the point. What's right or wrong is the issue.)

In analyzing the case you were assigned, use the "McGaan Box" method.

• First:  Definition of  the Situation.  Indicate what are the relevant facts (Not all facts may be critical).  Note what policies and procedures seem to be applicable (e.g. institutional rules already in existence, laws, etc.).  Indicate what options seem to be available to the person(s) who have to make communication decisions.  Be sure you make it clear who is the party responsible for taking ethical action.  (NOTE:  While outside research on the topic is not required, it often is helpful in your analysis.  If you do research on the issue, please include appropriate source citations.)

·    Second:  Conflicts and Values.  Describe ALL values (categories of good and bad, right and wrong) that seem relevant to the decision making situation.  Identify conflicts between values and/or duties, goals, needs.

• Third:  Traditions and Principles.  Determine and describe which ethical traditions and codes could be applied in the case in order to make a decision.  The cases always pose conflicts between two or more values or between values and goals, duties or needs.  Thus, several ethical principles could apply in every case.  (Remember, the "traditions" are approaches to decision making that can apply to a variety of situations.)
   
• Fourth:  Decision.  Indicate what you think the responsible person(s) should do.  Explain YOUR decision!  Justify your decision by showing its relation to at least one of the traditions or codes discussed in class.  Be sure your decision answers all questions directly posed in the case.

WRITTEN ANALYSIS:  On the class day you present your debate you will email me an electronic copy of your written report and hand in a hard copy.  This report must be no longer than 6 pages, double-spaced.  The written report should use the same four steps as the "McGaan Box" shown above:  1) definition, 2) conflicts and values, 3) traditions and principles, 4) decision.  (Be sure to put your name, the course, presentation date, and case title and number at the top of the page.  Be sure your paper has four distinct sections, each numbered and labeled.  Your written paper should reflect your best analysis of the ethical problem in the case. The paper should (normally) be your genuine view on what should be done and why.  The written analysis does not necessarily have to advance the same position you take in the debate (although it may).

ORAL PRESENTATION:  You and your partner will also present an oral debate on the case you selected before the class. You and your partner will need to determine two positions that represent distinctly different and competing views of what should be done in the case and each of you will defend one of those positions in the debate. Not only may you take a different position in the debate than in the paper, your views expressed in the debate do not have to be your actual position on the case.  You can be a "devil's advocate."

Your team's total time limit is 12 minutes. 

• The debate will begin with each debater taking NO MORE THAN 4 minutes to explain and defend their position on what should be done. Since everyone will have read the case in advance (and I will display it on the projection screen), you can be fairly brief in discussing the facts.  I suggest you begin your opening presentation by identifying, briefly, the key issues and what action should be taken.  Then justify why you think your proposed action is ethically appropriate. Your justification should clearly indicate what are the key value or duty conflicts and traditions or codes support your views

• Following the opening statements each debater will have 1 minutes to refute his/her opponent and show why his or her position is the better one.

• After the 2 opening statements and the 2 refutations, we will allow questions from the class for the remaining 2 minutes. If the class does not have (sufficient) questions for you, be prepared to have discussion questions for the class.

Ethics Case Oral Presentation Evaluation Form

In EVALUATING your written analysis, I will want to see if it is clear and concise.  Do you deal with the appropriate issues from your case and raise logically relevant values and principles?  I will be especially concerned with how well you link your decision to one of the traditions or codes we discussed in class.  The quality of your writing as well as how effectively you demonstrate your understanding of ethics and the analysis process is the primary focus of the grade for the written part of the assignment.  (This grade is about content, analysis and writing!)  Of course, mechanics will be considered in your grade.

In EVALUATING your oral debate I will take into account the fact that you are a communication professional.  Your debate presentation should be clear, forceful, convincing, and articulate.  The presentation should make an argument, building from facts to options, to values and principles that justify your decision.  In the refutation you should demonstrate the clear differences between your position and that of your opponent ("clash").  Do not be afraid to strongly state why your views are better. How you handle questions from the class is part of your grade as well. 
           The key to success is how well you support and defend your position throughout the debate.  By the end of your debate we should be convinced that you have wisely analyzed the situation and that your decision is an intelligent and justifiable one (even if we don't all agree).  If your delivery is weak, you appear under-prepared, you go overtime or significantly under time or leave no time for questions, your grade will suffer.  This will be graded primarily as a speech /oral communication competency demonstration.

Date Due:  As Scheduled