GBL 295 – Ethics Writing Assignment #1 (Fall, 2016) Instructions
As discussed in class, on or before October 06, 2016 at 11:59pm, you are to upload to D2L (via a drop
box) a typed paper (double spaced) answering TWO questions as outlined hereunder:
Answer One of these Two Questions:
(1) In the article ‘Connecting the Dots: Synergies Among Grassroots Tools for Authentic
Sustainable Development’ (Chapter 7 of the Course Pack – Page 51), Professor Stenzel makes
the point that “increasing numbers of businesses emphasize social welfare and the environment
through their CSR programs”,
(a) What facts/evidence does Professor Stenzel use in her article to support this
proposition?
(b) Write whether you are agree or disagree with Professor Stenzel’s position, as
articulated above, and explain why you agree or disagree with Professor Stenzel.
– OR –
(2) In the article at Chapter 8 of the MSU Course Pack – Page 119, ‘Our Ability to
Respond’, the author is critical of many, if not most, CSR programs,
(a) What facts/evidence does the author use in the article to support these criticisms?
(b) Write whether you are agree or disagree with the author’s criticisms of CSR
programs, and explain why you agree or disagree with these criticisms.
– AND –
Answer One of these Two Questions
(3) Behanville High School has a history of fielding very bad sports teams. Incredibly, the
team has had a string of good luck and has advanced to the state championship game. The game
is scheduled to be played later today at an arena in Big City, Michigan – about 100 miles from
Behanville – and the team has stayed overnight in Big City. In complete violation of team rules,
exactly one-half of the members of the Behanville team violated, by an hour, a curfew set for all
team members. The coach of the team has always maintained that any violation of team rules
will result in a player being suspended for the next game the team plays. If the team members
who violated curfew are suspended, the team will have to forfeit the championship. The coach
has looked to you for advice. Please articulate the reasons for suspending the offending players,
and the reasons for not suspending the players. What advice will you give the coach?
– OR –
(4) A day before the final exam in a class, your best friend tells you, in confidence, that a
copy of the final exam has come into your friend’s possession. Your friend does not indicate,
one way or the other, their intentions – but your friend does tell you that the exam only contains
the questions, not the answers. You are enrolled in the class as a student, as well, and you have
not seen the exam. Please articulate some options you can think of for how to handle this
situation. Do not explain which option you would use, but articulate, as part of your response,
what you think the positive and negative aspects of each option might be.
