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You work in the Ethics Department for ABC Company (ABC). Your department is dedicated to advising its employees about their ethical obligations in the corporate setting. You are an internal consultant who provides advice and most importantly, recommendations for action to employees of the firm. All communications you receive in this capacity are confidential.
Luke, an employee of ABC, comes to you with the following scenario and asks for your advice. He wants to fully consider the situation. Your task is to advise and recommend a course of action based on the specified ethical lenses and facts as given. Below are the facts that Luke provides to you.
*****
Luke has been asked to work on a project that involves developing land recently purchased by ABC to build an adult entertainment retail store. According to the plan, the land is located on the corner of the neighborhood where Owen, Luke’s brother, lives.
Luke knows that as soon as the plans for the store are made public, property values for the surrounding neighborhood will decrease significantly. ABC plans to publicly announce the project one month from today.
Luke is concerned about his obligations of confidentiality to his company. However, Luke is also very close to Owen, who recently told Luke that he received an offer to sell his house at an “okay” price given the current real estate market. Owen is considering selling but hasn’t made any final decision yet. He wonders if he might get a better offer a few years from now when the real estate market improves.
What is the ethical issue, why is this an issue, and what should Luke do about it?
*****
For assignment 2, prepare a memo, setting out your analysis and recommendations, that considers ONLY the following two theories: Utilitarianism and Universal Ethics (i.e., Kant’s categorical imperative).
Page 1 of 1
Assignment 2
Suggested Length: 750 to 1000 words
Ethical Theories to Apply: Utilitarianism and Universal Ethics
1. Task
You work in the Ethics Department for ABC Company (ABC). Your department is dedicated
to advising its employees about their ethical obligations in the corporate setting. You are an
internal consultant who provides advice and most importantly, recommendations for action to
employees of the firm. All communications you receive in this capacity are confidential.
Luke, an employee of ABC, comes to you with the following scenario and asks for your advice.
He wants to fully consider the situation. Your task is to advise and recommend a course of
action based on the specified ethical lenses and facts as given. Below are the facts that
Luke provides to you.
*****
Luke has been asked to work on a project that involves developing land recently purchased by
ABC to build an adult entertainment retail store. According to the plan, the land is located on
the corner of the neighborhood where Owen, Luke’s brother, lives.
Luke knows that as soon as the plans for the store are made public, property values for the
surrounding neighborhood will decrease significantly. ABC plans to publicly announce the
project one month from today.
Luke is concerned about his obligations of confidentiality to his company. However, Luke is
also very close to Owen, who recently told Luke that he received an offer to sell his house at an
“okay” price given the current real estate market. Owen is considering selling but hasn’t made
any final decision yet. He wonders if he might get a better offer a few years from now when
the real estate market improves.
What is the ethical issue, why is this an issue, and what should Luke do about it?
*****
For assignment 2, prepare a memo, setting out your analysis and recommendations, that
considers ONLY the following two theories: Utilitarianism and Universal Ethics (i.e., Kant’s
categorical imperative).
Page1 of 4
General (Turnitin) Written Assignment Instructions
Revised Summer 2016
1. Format
a. Use Microsoft Word, 12 point font, single spacing.
b. Use the format demonstrated in the sample paper called “Excerpts from A papers ..”
provided under Writing Resources in Blackboard for Assignments 2 through 4. This
format incorporates the use of headers that distinguish the different areas of thought
within the memo. Additionally, for Assignments 1 you may incorporate headers if
necessary to more effectively convey your ideas.
c. Where using headers in Assignments 2 through 4, you must include these:
1. Facts
2. Issue
3. Analysis (note- this is where you may want to use additional headers to further
organize your thoughts)
4. Recommendation
d. Suggested Paper Length – these are ranges, not absolutes
1. Assignment 1 should be between 500 and 600 words;
2. Assignments 2 and 3 should be between 750 and 1000 words;
3. Assignment 4 should be between 1400 and 2000 words.
e. The purpose of the guide is to help you understand whether you have thought deeply
enough about the topic. Your grade does not depend on the number of words written.
However, your grade will be affected by whether or not you have fully analyzed the
issue and fully supported your conclusion/decision. If you find that you are
significantly over this range of words, you should edit your paper so that your ideas and
words are conveyed in the most concise manner. This does not mean eliminating key
arguments. It just means editing your wording so that it is more concisely written.
f. Inside your document – DO NOT include any personal information inside your
document (such as name, CougarNet ID, etc). We will not remove this information
before submitting it for assessment.
2. Submitting your assignment into the link in B
B
a. Upload your Word document into the Turnitin link provided in Blackboard.
b. You will be asked to provide a name for your document. You can use any name, but it
may be a good idea to use the same assignment title as your Word file name so you
don’t get confused. This is not critical and no points will be deducted for using some
other name here.
Page 2 of 4
All assignments must be submitted using the assigned link in Blackboard. We will not accept papers
sent via email or delivered by hand.
It is your responsibility to ensure that your paper has been submitted properly AND on time. When
you properly submit your paper, you will receive an email confirmation from Turnitin confirming your
submission. If you don’t get this you haven’t completed the submission process and you will not
receive credit for your work.
3. Feedback and grades
All grades are issued by Daniel Currie, your professor though the papers are graded with the help of
TA’s. You may access your feedback via Blackboard 10-12 days after the due date. Your grade will be
posted into the grade book thereafter. Your grade on your paper and in the grade book may differ.
You should check both. Your paper with feedback will be returned to you in the same Weekly Folder
where you submitted your paper.
4. Academic honesty (discussing the papers, cheating, and plagiarism)
All assignments, including this one, are individual assignments. This means that you are prohibited
from discussing any part of the assignment with other people. Your analysis and work must be
original. This means that you must use proper citations (and quotations, where necessary) throughout
your paper and may not submit a paper that you used in a prior class.
We will analyze your papers using www.turnitin.com. This website checks your paper to determine
the similarity of your paper to other students’ papers, internet or book resources, and papers found
commercially on the internet. If your paper is sufficiently similar to another student’s paper or other
resource, you will be reported for violating the academic honesty code. This may result in earning an
F in the class or expulsion from the university.
Citations MUST BE provided for any information used or relied upon that is not your original idea.
There are plagiarism presentations posted on the course website. It is your responsibility to review this
to be sure you fully understand what constitutes plagiarism, how to properly paraphrase and cite, and
when to use quotations. If this information is not sufficient for you to understand how to provide a
proper citation, you may want to visit the following website:
http://www.uh.edu/writecen/Resources/GrammarAndDocumentation.php.
You may use MLA or APA or any other format as long as (1) you clearly identify that the work is
attributable to another source, AND (2) we can easily locate the original source.
5. Grading rubric/chart
Assignments are worth either 50 (Assignment 1,2, and 3) or 100 points (Assignment 4.) Please review
each assignment’s grading rubric as each assignment may be different.
Written communication 50%
Critical thinking and knowledge application 50%
Page 3 of 4
A
B
C
D
F
Written communication Written communication Written communication Written communication Written communication
Clearly arranged and
organized;
Professional tone (i.e.,
appropriate choice of
words for business
writing);
Sentences are easily
understood, concise,
direct, and effective;
No noticeable editing
errors; AND
Paper follows required
format.
For the most part…
Clearly arranged and
organized;
Professional tone;
Sentences are functional;
AND/OR
Very few editing errors.
In many places…
Confusing due to unclear
sentences or paragraphs,
and/or lack of
organization;
Many sentences are
overly simple or
needlessly complicated;
AND/OR
Several editing errors.
In most places…
Confusing due to
unclear sentences or
paragraphs, and/or lack
of organization;
Most sentences are
overly simple or
needlessly complicated;
AND/OR
So many editing errors
that paper is difficult to
read.
Wholly ignores
assignment instructions;
Sentences are incoherent
or nonsensical;
AND/OR
Paper is difficult to read,
careless, irresponsible.
Critical thinking and
knowledge application
Critical thinking and
knowledge application
Critical thinking and
knowledge application
Critical thinking and
knowledge application
Critical thinking and
knowledge application
Event discussed
represents most
pressing ethical issue;
Full understanding of
the ethical theories
discussed (including
appropriate discussion
of criticisms or
disadvantages of each
ethical lens applied);
Full consideration of the
issues and application
of the facts to the
theories;
Arguments and
sentences are well-
supported and rational;
Logical flow of
For the most part…
Full understanding of the
ethical theories
discussed;
Full consideration of the
issues;
Demonstrates a full
understanding of the
ethical theories applied;
Arguments and
sentences are well-
supported and rational;
Logical flow of
arguments;
Conclusion follows
rationally from the
In many places…
Lacks full understanding
of the ethical theories
discussed;
Lacks full consideration
of the issues;
Arguments and
sentences are not rational
or well-supported;
Arguments may not be
presented in a logical
order;
Conclusion may not
follow rationally from
the
arguments presented;
AND/OR
Paper has little original
thought because most of
In most places…
Lacks full
understanding of the
ethical theories
discussed;
Lacks full consideration
of the issues;
Arguments or sentences
are not rational or well-
supported;
Arguments may not be
presented in a logical
order;
Conclusion may not
follow rationally from
the arguments
Most of the paper
remains unfinished;
Rambles incoherently;
AND/OR;
Paper has very little
original thought because
most of the analysis is
from quoted sources.
Page 4 of 4
8. Rubric interpretation
a. Most pressing ethical issue – You must describe the issue in 1-2 succinct sentences, and
then explain what makes the issue an ethical one. In other words, what makes the issue
an ethical one (as opposed to just a regular business decision)? Considering this will
help you determine the most pressing ethical issue to be discussed (and provide a
context for your arguments).
b. Arguments are well-supported and rational – You should fully define the ethical
lens/theory used, discuss it, tell how it will apply in the case, then apply the facts to the
lens/theory. Definition and introductory discussion of the theories should be brief
(approximately ¼ of your paper).
1. Application of the facts to the theories – This is the most critical part of your
paper and should consist of approximately ¾ of your paper. You must consider
criticisms to applying the theories. For example, what is a disadvantage to using
theory “x”? This is where making an outline can really help to organize your
thoughts and ensure you cover all of the topics necessary.
2. You should include a brief conclusion after each lens/theory analysis. This will
provide the reader closure on your analysis for each lens.
c. Writing directly and concisely – If you feel that you are well over the suggested number
of words, eliminate what is not necessary to argue your points. Most papers can cut out
at least 100 words by eliminating unnecessary words/phrases/sentence and still retain all
of the arguments required to support your conclusion.
d. Conclusion – This should directly answer the question you asked AND make sense
given your analysis. You should not restate any arguments here. This is where you tell
us your final conclusion, after considering the different lenses.
arguments;
Conclusion follows
rationally from the
arguments presented;
AND
Paper presents mostly
original thought (with
use of occasional
quotes, if appropriate).
arguments presented;
Paper presents mostly
original thought (with
use of occasional quotes,
if appropriate).
the analysis is from
quoted sources.
presented; AND/OR
Paper has very little
original thought
because most of the
analysis is from quoted
sources.
Page1 of 4
General (Turnitin) Written Assignment Instructions
Revised Summer 2016
1. Format
a. Use Microsoft Word, 12 point font, single spacing.
b. Use the format demonstrated in the sample paper called “Excerpts from A papers ..”
provided under Writing Resources in Blackboard for Assignments 2 through 4. This
format incorporates the use of headers that distinguish the different areas of thought
within the memo. Additionally, for Assignments 1 you may incorporate headers if
necessary to more effectively convey your ideas.
c. Where using headers in Assignments 2 through 4, you must include these:
1. Facts
2. Issue
3. Analysis (note- this is where you may want to use additional headers to further
organize your thoughts)
4. Recommendation
d. Suggested Paper Length – these are ranges, not absolutes
1. Assignment 1 should be between 500 and 600 words;
2. Assignments 2 and 3 should be between 750 and 1000 words;
3. Assignment 4 should be between 1400 and 2000 words.
e. The purpose of the guide is to help you understand whether you have thought deeply
enough about the topic. Your grade does not depend on the number of words written.
However, your grade will be affected by whether or not you have fully analyzed the
issue and fully supported your conclusion/decision. If you find that you are
significantly over this range of words, you should edit your paper so that your ideas and
words are conveyed in the most concise manner. This does not mean eliminating key
arguments. It just means editing your wording so that it is more concisely written.
f. Inside your document – DO NOT include any personal information inside your
document (such as name, CougarNet ID, etc). We will not remove this information
before submitting it for assessment.
2. Submitting your assignment into the link in B
B
a. Upload your Word document into the Turnitin link provided in Blackboard.
b. You will be asked to provide a name for your document. You can use any name, but it
may be a good idea to use the same assignment title as your Word file name so you
don’t get confused. This is not critical and no points will be deducted for using some
other name here.
Page 2 of 4
All assignments must be submitted using the assigned link in Blackboard. We will not accept papers
sent via email or delivered by hand.
It is your responsibility to ensure that your paper has been submitted properly AND on time. When
you properly submit your paper, you will receive an email confirmation from Turnitin confirming your
submission. If you don’t get this you haven’t completed the submission process and you will not
receive credit for your work.
3. Feedback and grades
All grades are issued by Daniel Currie, your professor though the papers are graded with the help of
TA’s. You may access your feedback via Blackboard 10-12 days after the due date. Your grade will be
posted into the grade book thereafter. Your grade on your paper and in the grade book may differ.
You should check both. Your paper with feedback will be returned to you in the same Weekly Folder
where you submitted your paper.
4. Academic honesty (discussing the papers, cheating, and plagiarism)
All assignments, including this one, are individual assignments. This means that you are prohibited
from discussing any part of the assignment with other people. Your analysis and work must be
original. This means that you must use proper citations (and quotations, where necessary) throughout
your paper and may not submit a paper that you used in a prior class.
We will analyze your papers using www.turnitin.com. This website checks your paper to determine
the similarity of your paper to other students’ papers, internet or book resources, and papers found
commercially on the internet. If your paper is sufficiently similar to another student’s paper or other
resource, you will be reported for violating the academic honesty code. This may result in earning an
F in the class or expulsion from the university.
Citations MUST BE provided for any information used or relied upon that is not your original idea.
There are plagiarism presentations posted on the course website. It is your responsibility to review this
to be sure you fully understand what constitutes plagiarism, how to properly paraphrase and cite, and
when to use quotations. If this information is not sufficient for you to understand how to provide a
proper citation, you may want to visit the following website:
http://www.uh.edu/writecen/Resources/GrammarAndDocumentation.php.
You may use MLA or APA or any other format as long as (1) you clearly identify that the work is
attributable to another source, AND (2) we can easily locate the original source.
5. Grading rubric/chart
Assignments are worth either 50 (Assignment 1,2, and 3) or 100 points (Assignment 4.) Please review
each assignment’s grading rubric as each assignment may be different.
Written communication 50%
Critical thinking and knowledge application 50%
Page 3 of 4
A
B
C
D
F
Written communication Written communication Written communication Written communication Written communication
Clearly arranged and
organized;
Professional tone (i.e.,
appropriate choice of
words for business
writing);
Sentences are easily
understood, concise,
direct, and effective;
No noticeable editing
errors; AND
Paper follows required
format.
For the most part…
Clearly arranged and
organized;
Professional tone;
Sentences are functional;
AND/OR
Very few editing errors.
In many places…
Confusing due to unclear
sentences or paragraphs,
and/or lack of
organization;
Many sentences are
overly simple or
needlessly complicated;
AND/OR
Several editing errors.
In most places…
Confusing due to
unclear sentences or
paragraphs, and/or lack
of organization;
Most sentences are
overly simple or
needlessly complicated;
AND/OR
So many editing errors
that paper is difficult to
read.
Wholly ignores
assignment instructions;
Sentences are incoherent
or nonsensical;
AND/OR
Paper is difficult to read,
careless, irresponsible.
Critical thinking and
knowledge application
Critical thinking and
knowledge application
Critical thinking and
knowledge application
Critical thinking and
knowledge application
Critical thinking and
knowledge application
Event discussed
represents most
pressing ethical issue;
Full understanding of
the ethical theories
discussed (including
appropriate discussion
of criticisms or
disadvantages of each
ethical lens applied);
Full consideration of the
issues and application
of the facts to the
theories;
Arguments and
sentences are well-
supported and rational;
Logical flow of
For the most part…
Full understanding of the
ethical theories
discussed;
Full consideration of the
issues;
Demonstrates a full
understanding of the
ethical theories applied;
Arguments and
sentences are well-
supported and rational;
Logical flow of
arguments;
Conclusion follows
rationally from the
In many places…
Lacks full understanding
of the ethical theories
discussed;
Lacks full consideration
of the issues;
Arguments and
sentences are not rational
or well-supported;
Arguments may not be
presented in a logical
order;
Conclusion may not
follow rationally from
the
arguments presented;
AND/OR
Paper has little original
thought because most of
In most places…
Lacks full
understanding of the
ethical theories
discussed;
Lacks full consideration
of the issues;
Arguments or sentences
are not rational or well-
supported;
Arguments may not be
presented in a logical
order;
Conclusion may not
follow rationally from
the arguments
Most of the paper
remains unfinished;
Rambles incoherently;
AND/OR;
Paper has very little
original thought because
most of the analysis is
from quoted sources.
Page 4 of 4
8. Rubric interpretation
a. Most pressing ethical issue – You must describe the issue in 1-2 succinct sentences, and
then explain what makes the issue an ethical one. In other words, what makes the issue
an ethical one (as opposed to just a regular business decision)? Considering this will
help you determine the most pressing ethical issue to be discussed (and provide a
context for your arguments).
b. Arguments are well-supported and rational – You should fully define the ethical
lens/theory used, discuss it, tell how it will apply in the case, then apply the facts to the
lens/theory. Definition and introductory discussion of the theories should be brief
(approximately ¼ of your paper).
1. Application of the facts to the theories – This is the most critical part of your
paper and should consist of approximately ¾ of your paper. You must consider
criticisms to applying the theories. For example, what is a disadvantage to using
theory “x”? This is where making an outline can really help to organize your
thoughts and ensure you cover all of the topics necessary.
2. You should include a brief conclusion after each lens/theory analysis. This will
provide the reader closure on your analysis for each lens.
c. Writing directly and concisely – If you feel that you are well over the suggested number
of words, eliminate what is not necessary to argue your points. Most papers can cut out
at least 100 words by eliminating unnecessary words/phrases/sentence and still retain all
of the arguments required to support your conclusion.
d. Conclusion – This should directly answer the question you asked AND make sense
given your analysis. You should not restate any arguments here. This is where you tell
us your final conclusion, after considering the different lenses.
arguments;
Conclusion follows
rationally from the
arguments presented;
AND
Paper presents mostly
original thought (with
use of occasional
quotes, if appropriate).
arguments presented;
Paper presents mostly
original thought (with
use of occasional quotes,
if appropriate).
the analysis is from
quoted sources.
presented; AND/OR
Paper has very little
original thought
because most of the
analysis is from quoted
sources.
