ETHC232 Full Course

ETHC 232 Week 1 Discussion 1 & 2

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Importance and Value of Ethics (graded)

Let’s begin our class discussion with an overarching conversation about the importance of ethics. Why are ethics important? How do they affect our decision making? What are the consequences if we do something unethical?

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Deontological Ethics (graded)

Our first TCO asks us to consider the deontological ethical approach given certain ethical dilemmas that may arise in the professional world. You may want to review this week’s lecture as you think about the following topic for discussion. Consider a situation in which a company is planning to implement a surveillance policy to monitor its employees. What kinds of ethical duties do you think this company has that would be involved in this decision? You may talk about duties to its shareholders, customers, employees, and others. Why do these duties exist? How should they impact the decisions made in this context?

ETHC 232 Week 2 Discussion 1 & 2

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Utilitarianism (graded)

Last week we considered deontological ethics in the discussion thread, and this week we will consider the alternative approach of utilitarianism. How would a utilitarian approach cause someone to make a different decision in certain cases. Can you think of cases in which a decision made would be different based on the ethical approach a person takes?

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Societal Norms vs. Workplace Standards (graded)

Societal norms, in essence, are those rules for how people should act in society. Although these norms are accepted, there will be times in which a societal norm runs contrary to a workplace standard. What is an example of when such a situation can arise? How do you decide the ethical choice when faced with such a dilemma?

ETHC 232 Week 3 Discussion 1 & 2

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Laws and Privacy (graded)

One of the important areas of law and ethics in business relates to privacy rights. Several laws have been passed that direct businesses to respect privacy. In this thread, let’s consider how HIPAA, GLB, and COPPA laws can help ensure people’s privacy. What is their ethical justification? Is there gray area in these laws? How do some businesses try to find their way around these laws?

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Industry Standards (graded)

Some industries and businesses have their own uniquely applicable laws and standards. In this thread, let’s share our own experiences with industry standards. What field are you in? Are there specific laws and standards associated with this industry? Why are they in place? Are these laws and standards consistently followed?

ETHC 232 Week 4 Discussion 1 & 2

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Organization Culture (graded)

What are some examples of organizational culture? Where does organizational culture come from? How do we learn it? How do we know when we have violated it?

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Ethical Ambiguity (graded)

Consider the following scenario: You are aware of a problem that is costing your company productivity. This problem is caused by a fellow employee who refuses to use current technology. This employee has asked you to keep the situation to yourself, since he is one year from retirement and does not want to lose his job or have to endure new training. This employee is also very popular with everyone at the company. You have just been asked by your superiors why you think your division is not as productive as it could be. Do you tell the truth? What are the ethical considerations involved in this decision? How should one deal with this kind of ethical ambiguity?

ETHC 232 Week 5 Discussion 1 & 2

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Profit vs. Public (graded)

Businesses are intended to make money, and sometimes this means keeping business practices secret. What kind of information does the public have a right to know? What kind of information does a business have a right to keep secret? How do we make these decisions?

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Insider Knowledge (graded)

In a business world where information is usually the key to making money, sometimes information that is not available to the public can be considered legally and ethically improper to use in making business decisions. What is insider information? Why are there laws against it being used to make investment decisions?

ETHC 232 Week 6 Discussion 1 & 2

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Corporate Responsibility (graded)

Corporate responsibility is a controversial issue that involves many industries, companies, and ethical considerations. Consider one or more of the following examples, and comment on if and how you think the industry has an obligation to society.

• McDonalds considering the overall health of society

• Nike considering its responsibility for running sweatshops to produce its apparel

• Oil companies for developing alternative energies

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Whistleblowers (graded)

If you are an employee of a business, and learn that it is violating the law, what would you do in this situation? What are your ethical obligations? Under what conditions would you report the illegal activities? Under what conditions would you keep quiet?

ETHC 232 Week 7 Discussion 1 & 2

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Personal Morality (graded)

Can you think of a situation in which personal or religious beliefs might conflict with something that may be asked of you professionally? What should you do in this situation?

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Cultural Differences (graded)

What are some examples of cultural differences around the world that can affect business practices? Should a business change practices based on cultural sensitivities? Why or why not?

ETHC 232 Week 3 Quiz

1. Question :

(TCO 1) Give an example of a rule that could be followed according to a deontological perspective.

Question 2. Question :

(TCO 2) Is every harm and benefit evaluated the same in a utilitarian framework? Explain your answer.

Question 3. Question :

(TCO 1) Examine the issue of monitoring of e-mail and develop a justification or condemnation for this use of the technology using a rules-based (Deontological) ethical theory.

Question 4. Question :

(TCO 1, 2) Contrast utilitarian and deontological approaches to a dilemma involving a potential employee liberally enhancing (lying on) her resume.

Question 5. Question :

(TCO 1, 2) Choose an ethical approach and explain the steps one should take when one discovers that a supervisor is performing a lawful, but immoral act.

ETHC 232 Week 5 Quiz

1. Question :

(TCO 3) Give an example of a right you have as a citizen that may conflict with your obligations as an employee? How would you recommend an employee might address the conflict?

Question 2. Question :

(TCO 4) How do ethical considerations in the technology field impact the profession and modify the way work is done?

Question 3. Question :

(TCO 5) What would be appropriate guidelines for employees and companies for regulating practices of conducting personal business on company time? What are some ethical issues related to this issue?

Question 4. Question :

(TCOs 3, 4, 5) Describe a situation in which law and ethics may conflict in the healthcare field, providing an example of something that might be legal, but not ethical.

Question 5. Question :

(TCO 5) Explain whether one following virtue ethics would favor an individual engaging in legal but unethical behavior, when doing otherwise would break the law.

ETHC 232 Week 2 You Decide

Scenario Summary

One of the great and ongoing situations that calls for ethical decision making is the reality that there is almost always a greater need for something than there is a supply to meet the need.

For our assignment and scenario, the need is the life-and-death situation of the need for transplantable organs and the rather small and transitory supply. Hard decisions need to be made, and there is little time to think things through. These are emergency situations.

Transplantable organs become available on short notice – usually because a donor has died for reasons unrelated to the organ. They need to be removed and transplanted very quickly, because they only remain fresh for a limited period. And there is the whole complicated issue of tissue type matching. There is also an ongoing concern about how long recipients can wait.

Roles

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Review the roles for this scenario before proceeding to the activity.

Activity

Your assignment is to make the decision using utilitarian ethics as this week’s classwork and discussions have brought you to that skill and then to write it up in the form of a Memorandum for the hospital records. Remember that this record could be reviewed by the Peer Review Committee or the Hospital Trustees at a later date.

This is Utilitarian Week in our course. Employ what you have learned from J. S. Mill and Utilitarianism this week AND one other of our course’s ethicists of your choice from week 1.

The Memorandum should be at 2 double-spaced pages, maximum of 3 pages, in a memorandum form ready to become an official item of record.

ETHC 232 Week 6 You Decide

Scenario Summary – Are We Safe?

“Wooden” is a large factory in Littlebury. Littlebury is a small town with a population of approximately 1,200 people. Wooden is the largest employer in the town. In Littlebury, everyone knows each other, as they are either related or friends. Wooden specializes in creating wooden objects from shaving and shaping logs. The factory takes in approximately 1,000 logs a day and operates on a 24/7 schedule. The activity generates an enormous amount of wood dust. There is dust at least an inch thick on all of the equipment, flat surfaces and ceiling rafters. There are some areas in which the dust could be as much as three inches thick.

Wood dust is a combustible material and, given the right circumstances (ignition source, amount of dust, etc.), can be explosive. Also, inhaling fine wood dust can create respiratory illnesses.

Employees have complained over the years about the dust, but the employer still has not created a method to frequently clean the factory. One day Karen, a co-worker, tells you that while she was operating her machine she noticed three quick sparks in the air near her work station. Karen informed her Section Manager about this incident, but the response was that she shouldn’t worry about it. She is now scared that the factory may explode at any moment.

Your Assignment

You are an employee at this factory. You have worked there for over 10 years and know everyone from the owner to the co-workers. This situation has you nervous as well, but you don’t know what to do because you do not want to get anyone in trouble. You decide to speak with several people at the factory. Based upon their responses (listed below), answer the following questions:

Would you report this situation to anyone else? If so, who and why?

If you choose not to report the situation, explain your decision.

What are the possible consequences if you were to report this situation?

What are the possible consequences if you fail to report the workplace condition?

Let’s assume that you have reported the workplace condition. Is this whistleblowing? If so, would it be morally justified in this situation?

Key Players

Jason Rhine, Safety Coordinator

“There is no way an explosion could occur. Everyone knows that wood dust is not explosive. Karen probably just saw some type of light reflection. Look, in order to ease your mind, I will schedule a major clean up of the facility next month. Just sit tight.”

Alex Riveria, Area Manager

“Do not make any trouble. A major clean-up of the entire facility will stop production for at least two days. Just clean your work area. I have been in this industry for over 30 years, I know a dangerous situation when I see it. Let the experts handle this.”

Karen Parse, Co-Worker

Please contact OSHA. You can make a complaint and they will investigate and handle it. I can’t call since I was just hired two weeks ago. I cannot make any waves, but you have been here long enough. You won’t have any problems. I am so scared because a plant back in my hometown exploded about two months ago because of wood dust. This is really dangerous!

Tony Lord, Owner

“You cannot prove that there is an explosion hazard here. You should only come to me when you know definitely that there is a safety issue. I will consider anything else as slander against me and my company. I do not take too well to disloyal employees.”

Activity or Assignment

You will read the case summary, accompanying character descriptions and answer the questions. You should also write a two (2) page Word Document (.docx) outlining the rationale for your answers. The assignment must conform to APA formatting standards. You should include principles that you have learned so far in this course. Be sure to provide adequate information to support your decision.

Note to the student: You are being graded on your demonstration of reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical abilities in applying what you are learning about market research. If you use your text or outside sources of information, please provide in-text citations and references using APA formatting.

ETHC 232 Week 4 Tutorial

Criminal Justice Ethics

Assignment: Watch the tutorial above then review the five choices in the question below and pick your answer. Considering the option you choose, write a two (2) page Word Document (.docx) outlining the rationale for your answer. You should include principles that you have learned so far in this course. Be sure to provide adequate information to support your answer.

ETHC 232 Week 7 Ethical Dilemma Paper

Ethical Dilemma Paper

Your writing assignment this week is to write a 2 page paper analyzing two ethical dilemmas facing a profession. You can choose a profession you are currently in or a profession in which you wish to practice.

The paper should contain the following:

Describe the ethical dilemmas

Provide an example regarding how the dilemma exists in a real life situation

Analyze the efforts being made by those in the profession to resolve the dilemmas (rules, standards, etc.)

Describe the possible consequences if one behaves unethically in the situation

Sources must be cited and documented using APA style (see the Syllabus for more details)

The paper should be written in your own words and address all of the issues above. You will be graded on your demonstrated understanding of course material, and your organization and grammar. There is an Assignment Grading Rubric posted in Doc Sharing.

Submit your assignment to the Dropbox, located at the top of this page. For instructions on how to use the Dropbox, read these step-by-step instructions.

See the Syllabus section “Due Dates for Assignments & Exams” for due date information.