Eugenics (medical and social) is a form of population design and control, directing the evolution of human kind. There are arguments in favor of designing and directing who we are and what we become. Far more often we see the concept brought up as a cautionary tale or one of abuse and horrors perpetuated upon other people in the name of "benefitting" the species. We readily accept eugenics when we're "improving" livestock or altering plants but object when the human genome is tampered with. Read the definition article and find one real world example of how this theory of eugenics (the need to alter human beings) was enacted in the 20th-21st centuries. Sum up what was done, why, and the outcome. State your opinion on whether this was a "good" or "bad" practice and why you feel as you do. Finally, write a short paragraph on your opinion about human eugenics as a whole. Tie this to "designer babies". Then include how you feel about similar types of eugenics attempts upon animals and plants. If your feelings about these differ from your opinions about human eugenics explain your reasoning. Designer babies.... good or bad? What are we currently capable of doing to "create" a baby with a specific gender, specific traits, or to eliminate undesirable traits or diseases/defects? In other words:
After a week of lessons on business ethics as a student's Senior Project, we'll follow up this week with a couple of case studies so we can apply what you've learned. First, READ the article and apply the theory of "cost benefit analysis" to this situation. The article is NOT about this concept per se, but the theory is clearly being applied here. What do you think/feel about how it is implemented? Is there any other reasonable way of handling the situation? Discuss with a partner to make sure you both fully understand the concept and how it's being used in the real world. Then we'll discuss as a class. Next, research the current work stoppage/slowdown at the ports of LA and Long Beach. What are the issues on each side? What, in your opinion, is fair and reasonable? What are the costs of the ports giving in to worker demands? What are the costs (currently) to business by the ongoing work stop/slow? What is the impact on businesses beyond the Port Authority/City of LA and Long Beach itself? Many soldiers (veterans/vets) suffer from physical and mental injuries that inhibit their transition back to "normal" civilian life in the USA. Homelessness and lack of proper health care plague our vets.
Watch the following video HERE Facts on homelessness HERE and some visual proof here What SHOULD happen in cases like these? What is your opinion regarding what our nation owes our veterans in medical care, mental health services, etc? Keep in mind, the money for these services would come from "your tax dollars", so it DOES affect you. Are you willing to help pay for what vets need? Or do you feel they were paid by the military when they were "in" and after that they have to take care of themselves, just like the rest of us? Explain your stance.
Ethical issues/problems in the US military as an institution:Monday: Women in the Military. Read and then research a case study (3 cited articles of authority) on US Army Private Lavena Johnson. Tuesday: Treatment of Recruits (from false promises to Basic Training issues). Here Thursday: Jag vs Civilian court jurisdiction, crime, and punishment. Issues facing the military today. Friday: Where do we go from here? Having read the Geneva Convention "rules" and definitions of war crimes.... and having completed your research into a case of genocide....let's look at other types of war crimes. Got to this Wikipedia article which reviews crimes committed in wartime since the Geneva Convention instituted the international rules. Keep in mind that war crimes are not usually a single instance but usually an institutionalized and/or systematic practice that violates the Geneva conventions (single instances are prosecuted under JAG/military courts). Find an instance for each type of war crime listed here (this is not a comprehensive list!):
We will look at modern military ethics regarding international warfare (when nations fight other nations) and UN interventions. We will not examine civil warfare at this time. We will first look at the idealized rules, as written, and later at how they are enacted during actual war time. Finally, we will look at war crimes and unjust use of military force, secret operations, etc. Monday: "Laws of War" There are rules of engagement in war (the Geneva Convention is the best known set of rules) that apply to the battlefield, treatment of prisoners of war, treatment of civilians, treatment of non combatants attached to military units, surrender, etc. Tuesday: "Just War Theory" When is it acceptable to go to war? To give up on diplomatic solutions? When can we interfere in the internal affairs of another nation? Involve ourselves in an existing war between two other nations? Thursday: Continue to look at "Just" War. Friday: Applying Just War Theory and the Rules of Warfare to a modern war in one of the following areas: War in 21st Century 21st Century Conflicts
Monday: Holiday (MLK) Tuesday on: we'll look at issues within the military as an institution. War Crimes, Torture, Unjust Military actions Genocide: Choose ONE from the list of "The Worst Genocides of the 20th & 21st Centuries (yes, there are MORE than are listed!) and write down
Tuesday/Wednesday: "Renaissance Man" film on personal and military ethics. Wednesday/Friday: Article on military ethics and equality. Friday: Discussion on the military as an agent of positive social change. Principles are usually in the form of roles, character traits, or adjectives. Principles state the values embodied by by your Mission Statement. Action steps are descriptions of how you will enact your principles in your life. How will others see that you uphold the principles you claim? What do you DO in your life that demonstrates the principle? The rubric for the poster is attached. The Parent Verification is located below the rubric within the same document.
The poster should have the following elements visible and legible when read on the wall:
Title: Your Name's Ethical Code Motto: A quote that is symbolic of who you are or how you live your life (may be taken from your "Quotes of Qualify" assignment or another source. Use correct quote format and cite the author. Mission Statement: Smaller than the title but still emphasized. Your Principles with your Action Steps for each Principle. 85% of the grade on the poster is based on the depth and thoughtfulness, the permanence of your Code. IS THIS how you believe and live your life? Is there room for growth as you gain age and experience? .... or is it just an amalgam of meaningless platitudes "in the moment"? The poster should show pride in workmanship. After all, you're announcing to the world who you are and what ethics you stand by! 15% of the grade is based on the "level of risk" you show in presenting your ideas to the world. Are you really going to stand by what you say? Do you really believe what you put on this poster? (see rubric for levels of risk). |
PurposeIn the Fall, we focus on the foundations of Philosophy and Logic, culminating with a project where you express your own Personal Ethical Code. In the Spring, we study ethical systems of thought and analyze their logic, ending with the development of your own nation, founded and run according to your ethical code. Remind NoticesSign up to get notices https://www.remind.com/join/7cf69 Google ClassroomFor electronic/paperless hand in of HW. Students can join the class with this code: brtzp0p
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May 2015
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