You are required to select an ethical issue which has been reported in the news media in the past 12 months. Collect one recent (2016 or 2017) news article which identifies the issue, and perform further research to collect relevant background information and facts, to enable you to answer each question listed below.
This ethical issue must be different from the issue which you analysed in Assignment 1.
You must provide a full reference for all sources of information you have used to inform your research. Provide separate answers to each of parts ‘a to e’ of this assessment under separate sections:
a. Clearly define the ethical question/problem and provide a brief explanation as to why it is important. (3 marks)
b. Identify facts and key assumptions which are relevant to your analysis of the ethical problem. (6 marks)
c. Analyse the ethical problem using act utilitarianism, identifying all relevant consequences. Compare negative versus positive consequences and assess whether net utility will rise or fall as a result of the ethical act being examined. (8 marks)
d. Apply Kant’s categorical imperative by defining the rule that authorises the act central to the ethical problem you have chosen. Discuss whether this rule can be applied universally. (8 marks)
e. Provide a conclusion comparing results in parts c & d above identifying whether your ethical conclusion equates with your conscience with regards this problem. (5 marks)
You do not need to provide a copy of the news article but you must provide full references of all articles and other sources you have used to inform your ethical analysis.
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Assessment details
Assignment due dates and the examination period provided here apply to the Australian study period. These may be varied for students studying elsewhere, please confirm dates with your local tutor.
Marking criteria
The following marking criteria are used to assess Assignments 1, 2 and 3 in this unit.
Grade/
CriteriaFailPassCreditDistinctionHigh distinction
Depth of research.Heavy reliance on unit text & study guide; & low quality websites.
Journal articles selected – insufficient, poor quality or irrelevant.Inadequate range or irrelevant academic references.
Heavy reliance on unit text & study guide.Reasonable range of quality and relevant academic references selected.
Good range of quality and relevant books & journal articles selected.
Reliable websites used where necessary.Extensive range of relevant, high quality journal articles & books selected.
Only high quality & reputable websites used.Application of theory.Fail to use relevant theories in performing assessment task.Identify & apply minimal theory to assessment task.Select some relevant theories & demonstrate understanding of its application to the assessment task.Successfully apply relevant theories to assessment task.Identify most relevant theories & successfully apply to assessment task.Analysis & interpretation of information.No constructive analysis of information.
Discussion is disjointed.
Inappropriate subheadings.Demonstrate comprehension of information collected applying basic analysis which lacks depth.Good analysis and interpretation of information with logical conclusions drawn.Logical structure using relevant subheadings providing a coherent response to the assessment task.Logical structure linking rational & coherent argument, demonstrating depth of knowledge.Synthesis, problem solving & creativity.Unable to connect information to solve the problem.Elementary connection of relevant theory &...