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Rough Draft of Final Paper

In this course, you have looked at classical ethical theories of utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics. You have also examined different perspectives on ethical issues introduced by relativism, ethical egoism, and emotivism. For this paper, you will apply these theories and perspectives to a current issue.

Choose an ethical issue to write about. You may choose from the list below, or, with approval from the instructor, select a different socially-relevant topic. It is recommended that you choose a topic that you are familiar with or that you have some interest in exploring further. For the purposes of this paper, your topic should pertain to a current area of interest in the news and/or government policy forums.

Possible Issues

• Corporate executive compensation
• Corporate contributions to political campaigns
• Human trafficking
• Mass incarceration and the prison industrial complex
• The media and their responsibilities
• Domestic surveillance
• Whistleblowing in government or in a business
• Religion in the workplace
• Ethical problems of gambling
• Progressive taxation rates
• Immigration reform in the U.S. and/or abroad
• Women’s equality

In your paper, you will apply ethical theories and perspectives to the issue that you select. You do not have to use all six, but you should apply at least two ethical theories and at least one ethical perspective in your paper. Make sure that you write primarily on ethical topics and concepts, aiming to be both balanced and intellectually driven in your work. You may share your personal views, but do not rely on opinions (yours or those offered by others) to make your case. Think about the evidence that helps to make your case and use it.

Address the following questions:

• What are the ethical issues?
• Where are there breaches of ethical behavior?
• How could each ethical theory you cite help people think about what constitutes virtuous or ethical behavior?

Your draft must include at least three pages of text plus a title page and a references page. Your draft should include a clear thesis statement that states what you plan to argue. It should also explain how you intend to develop the final paper and include a list of the sources you intend to use. You can also use the Sociology Research Guide located in the Ashford University Library. Format your rough draft according to APA style and properly cite and reference all your sources according to APA format. If you would like to refer to APA samples and tutorials, visit the Ashford Writing Center, located within the Learning Resources tab in the left navigation bar of your online course.

Note: The final version of this paper will be 1500 to 1800 words, plus separate title and reference pages, and will use at least five academic sources.

  A.Title of Essay, your name (Last, First), class # (OCN100.01), and date. (10 points)

the topic is plate tectonics and ocean basin

  B. Paragraph #1: State an overview of the topic. Describe the essential components of the topic. Show your understanding of how these components interact to create a logical system. For example, if the topic is “Waves”, then define and describe the fundamental properties of waves. Try to make a definition that includes all aspects of waves, but excludes all things that are not waves (for example, different types of ocean waves include: gravity waves, deep-water waves, shallow water waves, tsunami, wind waves, and seiche waves). Give examples to support your explanation of the topic. (20 points)

 C. Paragraph #2: Choose one aspect of the main topic, then go into greater depth and detail describing it. Break it down further into its fundamental parts. For example, given the concept of waves as a topic, you might choose tsunami, describing what the term means, the history of tsunami, how they are generated, and their effect on shorelines and life.  Use examples to support your thoughts. You may choose historical events to further deepen our understanding (e.g., the Fukushima, Japan disaster of  2011, or the Banda Aceh tragedy of 2004). (20 points)

 D. Paragraph #3: State a personal connection that you have with the topic. Choose any aspect of the topic that you have had a special personal connection to, then describe in detail that connection, along with your personal feelings in a way that can make the rest of us understand and relate to your experience. For example, you took a vacation to Hawaii and visited the ancient volcano Diamond Head at Waikiki on the island of O’ahu. It was a particularly calm day, so you decided to boogie board the waves at the point. All of a sudden, a ‘freak’ wave caught you and sent you straight up 7 meters on a breaking mountain of water. Just when you were about to be swallowed by the ocean forever, an unseen hand reached out, grabbed you, and plopped you on his surfboard.  It was Chris Ward, out that day at Waikiki practicing up for the Mavericks competition. Lucky you. (20 points)

 E. While writing your essay, use seven (7) required terms from The Etymological Dictionary of Earth Science. Highlight those terms in the body of your essay. When you have completed the essay, make a list of those terms at the end. Write out the history of the term (its etymology) as given in the required text, The Etymological Dictionary of Earth Science, along with its complete definition. You do not have to copy the ‘First usage’, ‘Synonyms’, or any other part of the dictionary entry. (30 points)

Caution Against Ranking

Each year when Crime in the United States is published, some entities use reported figures to compile rankings of cities and counties. These rough rankings provide no insight into the numerous variables that mold crime in a particular town, city, county, state, or region. Consequently, they lead to simplistic and/or incomplete analyses that often create misleading perceptions adversely affecting communities and their residents. Valid assessments are possible only with careful study and analysis of the range of unique conditions affecting each local law enforcement jurisdiction. The data user is, therefore, cautioned against comparing statistical data of individual reporting units from cities, metropolitan areas, states, or colleges or universities solely on the basis of their population coverage or student enrollment.

Why do you think this cautionary notice is given before users are directed to the FBI’s Crime in the United States publication? Expand on your viewpoint and find credible sources to support your rationale.

If you would like to visit the Web site, go to http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/ucr.htm#cius.

Part II

Go to http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/ucr.htm#cius, again. Scroll down to the section entitled, Hate Crime Statistics, and click on “Hate Crime Data Collection Guidelines and Training Manual.” 

Using this training guide, complete the following:

• Define and describe the following terms:
  • Prejudice
  • Stereotype
  • Discrimination
  • Racism
  • Sexism
  • In-group
  • Out-group
  • Conformity
  • Institutional supports
  • Social categorization
• Point out the distinction between institutional prejudice and personal prejudice.
• Explain ways in which stereotypes can influence memory for and perceptions of events.
• What are common stereotypes of the specific minority groups explained in the training guide? How may one differentiate those stereotypes from accurate descriptions of the minority groups?
• Identify the principal psychological motivations underlying prejudice.

Part III

Based on the information you obtained in Parts I and II, do you think there could be racial or ethnic discrimination in arrests? Does cultural diversity have an impact on law enforcement practice? Provide evidence to support your answer accompanied by proper citation in APA format.