Assessment 4 Instructions: Dealing With Complexity

 

Create an informative PowerPoint presentation, 12-minute video or audio news segment on a contemporary social issue.

Introduction

As you have learned, ethics is challenging for all of us, in the workplace and in our personal lives. Part of the challenge comes from the fact that our society has become so complex. A few decades ago, life was far simpler than it is now: work, for example, was often a 9-to-5, Monday through Friday job in a particular setting. Now, for many people, work is far more flexible, often done outside of traditional business hours and sometimes through virtual means. And think of entertainment: Just a generation ago, most entertainment was done through face-to-face interaction (going to the movies, playing card games or video games at a friend’s house). Now, we have nearly unlimited options for entertainment, even virtual reality gaming with people we have never met, even someone in a different hemisphere!

This complexity, while it makes life interesting, also impacts ethics. The more accelerated the development and changes in our society, the more complex that ethical dilemmas become. What seems right to you may seem wrong to another. Additionally, one academic or professional discipline can influence ethical behavior in another discipline.

In this assessment, you will consider a complex contemporary issue and describe how the issue is influenced by different disciplines. You will consider at least two distinct ethical positions on the issue and defend your own position.

Demonstration of Proficiency

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies:

• Competency 1: Explain the nature of ethical issues.
  • Explain a selected contemporary issue, with reference to practical instances.
• Competency 3: Engage in ethical debate.
  • Describe the relevant contributions to an issue from at least two different academic disciplines.
• Competency 4: Develop a position on a contemporary ethical issue.
  • Explain at least two distinct positions on an issue.
  • Defend one’s personal ethical position on an issue.
• Competency 5: Communicate effectively in the context of personal and professional moral discourse.
  • Create a slide, video or audio presentation that reports on a contemporary social issue from multiple perspectives.

Overview

As the producer and correspondent of a television or radio news magazine (like 60 Minutes, VICE News, or All Things Considered), you have been assigned to deliver an informative PowerPoint presentation or 12-minute segment on one of the contemporary issues you and your classmates have been discussing during the past three weeks. Corporate policy requires that you consider insights from two or more academic disciplines for example: nursing and social work, or philosophical ethics, psychology, and biology. (Note: These are only examples; you are free to choose your own disciplines!) It also requires that you interview credible representatives of at least two distinct positions on the issue. You need not remain neutral on the issue; in fact, you are expected to state and defend your own position with clear reasoning in your own words.

 

You will choose which of the complex social issues to present here. The intended audience for your PowerPoint presentation or segment is an intelligent but perhaps uninformed public, so this is your opportunity to engage them in an issue that matters to you.

Instructions

The final presentation/script for your production should, of course, include APA-style citations and references.

You may submit the assessment itself in either formats:

1. Option One: Produce the PowerPoint presentation or video segment. You should appear as the correspondent, but you may enlist family and friends to play other parts. You might even take on distinct roles yourself, in a video “selfie” where you consider the alternatives accurately. Kaltura is available in the courseroom, but may use any device or software of your choice, so long as you are able to submit the work to your instructor for assessment.
2. Option Two: Produce the audio segment as you would for broadcast as a radio program or as a podcast. Once again, you will be the correspondent, but you are welcome to invite others to participate or record yourself in different roles. As with the video option, you may record the audio in any way that suits you, making sure to submit the audio file or a link to it as the submission for assessment.

 

Include the following concepts in this assessment:

1. Explain the selected issue you selected, with reference to practical instances.
2. Describe relevant contributions to the issue from at least two different academic disciplines.
3. Explain at least two distinct positions on the issue, considering each fairly.
4. Defend your own position on the issue clearly.

Submit this assessment to your ePortfolio.

Your instructor may provide video feedback on your work, as well as completing the official scoring guide for the assessment.

Additional Requirements

• Communication:Create a PowerPoint presentation, video or audio presentation that reports on a contemporary social issue from multiple perspectives.
• Powerpoint or Media presentation:Ensure your slide, video or audio recording is a minimum of 12 minutes in length, with notes or a transcript to ensure accessibility to everyone. Upload the presentation.
• Resources:Use your judgment to ensure your topic is thoroughly researched. There is no minimum number of resources required, however.
• APA guidelines:Format resources and citations according to current APA style guidelines. When appropriate, use APA-formatted headings.
• Font and font size:Use a font of appropriate size and weight for presentation, generally 24-28 points for headings and no smaller than 18 points for bullet-point text.