CMPE 80E

Engineering Ethics

University of California, Santa Cruz

Spring Quarter 2003

 


Case Studies for Assignments

Here are links to the case studies you can use to prepare your paper and presentation.

 

REMEMBER:  You must pick one to do a presentation on and a different one to write your paper on.

 

Decide which case you want to use for which assignment.  Also, decide if you want to do your presentation first or your paper first.  (No guarantees though as I have to break the class into two equal halves – some may not get their first choice.)

 

BE SURE TO LOOK AT THESE CASES FROM AN ENGINEERING PERSPECTIVE.  What and how did the socio-technical systems in place play a part in these events and acts.  These are in-depth, complex cases with many layers to them.  Some answers may seem easy – at first – but remember you must be able to support your position with a well-reasoned ethical argument.  Also, upon analysis and reflection you may find the first, common sense or gut instinct answer, isn’t the best answer.

 

Two ethical analyses with conclusions will be required.  One will be a presentation to the class of your analysis, how it corresponds to different ethical orientations, and conclusions.  The other will be a five page paper accomplishing the same objectives.  The class will be divided so that for each assignment half the class is preparing presentations and half the class is preparing papers.

1)  Presentation of ethical analysis and conclusions; in this assignment you will develop an ethical orientation, analyze a case study, and formulate conclusions based on the analysis.  You will prepare a set of presentation materials (PowerPoint slides are preferred; however web pages, OpenOffice, or flip charts are acceptable.)  The presentation will be based on your ethical analysis and written paper.  Be prepared to make a 10 minute presentation to the class.

2) Write a paper detailing an ethical analysis and conclusions; in this assignment you will develop an ethical orientation, analyze a case study, and formulate conclusions based on the analysis.  You will write a five page paper, excluding the bibliography.

The first assignment is due Wednesday, April 30.  The second assignment is due Wednesday, May 14.


Web site maintained by Guy Cox. If there are problems mail guymcox@soe.ucsc.edu