Your Personal Ethical Code
What IS an Ethical Code?
YOUR Ethical System(s)
It is impossible to live life as a "purist", adhering to only one ethical system. However, we usually operate using 2-3 such systems as our primary way of dealing with society and individuals. Identify what ethical systems motivate your own choices and actions.
Next, we'll watch several videos where an ethical choice must be made. What would you do? WHY?
Next, we'll watch several videos where an ethical choice must be made. What would you do? WHY?
it's All About Character
The First Task |
Watch the video & read the article. Discuss in class.
This fictional character lives by an ethical code and sticks to it, even when it's not convenient, even when no one would know if he didn't. See if you can identify his code (in your head, what is his "mission statement", his "principles", and his "action steps")
After watching/reading, sum up (a ¶ or two) WHY he was important. What lesson WE can take from his example and apply to our own lives? |
Further Analysis |
(may be on same paper)
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- What is the difference between a hero and a role model?
- When a child is selecting a a hero, what are the 4 most important qualities this person should possess? Explain why these qualities are so important, especially in a child's hero.
- Select an historic or contemporary person you consider a truly great hero (e.g.: leader, inventor, artist, scientist, educator, historian, athlete, explore, musician, etc). Write about not only what they DID but what qualities of character or personality they possess that enabled them to accomplish the great task attributed to him/her.
- Describe in detail an event you either witnessed or were part of that required the courage of personal convictions. Explain WHAT conviction were involved and why it was "courageous" (heroic). Note: does not have to be a physical display of courage.
- What qualities (abstract nouns like love, honesty, responsibility, kindness, patience, dependability, etc) are important to have above all others? Define what the term(s) mean to you and why it is important to have. (... in others.... or in your own personality as well?)
Narrowing down who you are & how you think
Quotes of Quality*
3. Choose the quote most meaningful to you, personally and include why you identify with the quote and what it "speaks to".
4. Last, create a physical poster on which you will have your quote and appropriate graphic enhancements. (put your name on the back & staple your work to the poster).
4. Last, create a physical poster on which you will have your quote and appropriate graphic enhancements. (put your name on the back & staple your work to the poster).
*from: SP Partnership for Dynamic Learning. ed 2005.
Six Word Story
A six-word story is NOT a quote or motto; it is a concise summation of your life (so far), or at least a significant event that defines who you are... and why.
After writing your 6-word story, use Google Draw to create a "poster" with a relevant image. Upload your image to the shared slideshow in Classroom. Your name should go in the speaker notes of your slide. |
Do You Really Think What You THINK You Think?
Harvard University has developed tests enabling people to see how they react to stimuli when they don't have time to consider the "acceptable" response. It is meant to give us insight into how we think, not shame us for it. If we don't "like" our results, it's an indicator that we may need to reexamine our ethics and make a change.
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Take at least ONE test on the Project Implicit site. We will discuss the experience later. (assignment will be in G-Classroom)
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Looking at Ethical Codes
Terms to Know & ID:Mission Statement: A written declaration of an organization's core purpose and focus that normally remains unchanged over time. Properly crafted mission statements (1) serve as filters to separate what is important from what is not, (2) clearly state who/what will be served, and how, and (3) communicate a sense of intended direction to the entire organization.
A mission is different from a vision in that the former is the cause and the latter is the effect; a mission is something to be accomplished whereas a vision is something to be pursued for that accomplishment. |
Pinciples: usually in the form of roles, character traits, or adjectives. Principles state the values embodied by by your Mission Statement.
Action Steps: descriptions of how you will enact your principles in your life. How will others see that you uphold the principles you claim? What do you DO in your life that demonstrates the principle? |
Principles
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Building Your Code
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Mission Statement
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Principles
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Action Steps
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Poster
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Rubric
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A formal summary of your aims and values.
This is your "bottom line", your "line in the sand".
WHO are YOU? What do you stand for? Sum it up in one statement. May be between 1-3 sentences long. Hint: It "feels" like strategy. (I hate it when a mission statement is generic, stale, and says nothing specific, making it completely useless.). The Mission Statement should reflect both who you are NOW and demonstrate forward planning for who you want to BE.
This is your "bottom line", your "line in the sand".
WHO are YOU? What do you stand for? Sum it up in one statement. May be between 1-3 sentences long. Hint: It "feels" like strategy. (I hate it when a mission statement is generic, stale, and says nothing specific, making it completely useless.). The Mission Statement should reflect both who you are NOW and demonstrate forward planning for who you want to BE.
What roles must you enact in order to fulfill your Mission Statement? These are your Principles.
What must you BE (adjectives here!) in order to enact that role?
e.g.: SSHS students demonstrate Scholarship, Skill, and Honor
Hint: If you're stuck for phrasing use the following sentence frame: "As a (insert role here) I will be/demonstrate (insert qualities here)
What must you BE (adjectives here!) in order to enact that role?
e.g.: SSHS students demonstrate Scholarship, Skill, and Honor
Hint: If you're stuck for phrasing use the following sentence frame: "As a (insert role here) I will be/demonstrate (insert qualities here)
How will you (and others) KNOW you've accomplished your goals (Principles)? What will doing it look like?
Write specific "I will..." statements that clarify what the principle, in action, will "look like" and what it means to you to be/do that role.
Write specific "I will..." statements that clarify what the principle, in action, will "look like" and what it means to you to be/do that role.
Posters (when on the wall) must be legible to a person standing on the ground.
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See samples in room
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Posters should be on UNLINED paper, preferably a standard paper (not foam) poster board.
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Print out the rubric and attach to the back of your physical poster
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*If doing the "parent presentation" step, also attach the parent letter to the back of your poster.
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