Background: Choose an ethical dilemma that arises in a profession related to your major or career plans. In a persuasive paper, present background information about the dilemma, apply two ethical theories and a professional code of ethics to it, defend your own solution to the dilemma, and respond to possible objections to your view. The topic I have chosen is sweatshops in the fashion industry and why they are unethical.
Additionally: There needs to be 6 outside sources (at least 4 peer-reviewed from the year 2000 or later from scholarly journal articles or university presses), 1 professional code of ethics cited from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and 2 other readings (news reports, videos, etc). If for some reason the annotated bibliography with the links that I provided does not work, you can use other peer reviewed sources for the essay.
Use the following sections in this order:
Introduction (half a page): Draw in the reader in an engaging way. Introduce and contextualize your topic. Make the last sentence a thesis clearly stating the solution you will defend.
Background information (3 to 4 pages): Present background details about your ethical dilemma, including how it arises in a profession, relevant facts, history, laws, and current events, and some responses to the dilemma that have been considered. Give a general overview, while also focusing on facts that will feed into your persuasive arguments later in the paper. Draw on reliable sources, noting any relevant areas of bias.
Theory Application (1 to 2 pages): Choose two ethical theories covered in the course—(a) Benedict, (b) Kant, (c) Regan, (d) Mill, or (e) Noddings. For each of the two, take a paragraph to summarize the view and explain in detail what it might recommend regarding your dilemma. Cite details from the relevant course reading for each theory.
Professional Code Application (1 page): Choose a professional code of ethics that relates to your dilemma and explain in detail what it would recommend about your topic, citing from the code of ethics.
Persuasive Arguments (3 to 4 pages): Defend a specific solution to your dilemma, using logically compelling arguments. Do not just survey different sides of the debate or summarize views you found in your research. Instead, defend a specific thesis with your own creative arguments. Include details about what your proposed solution involves, reasons it should be adopted, and ethical concepts that support it. Bring in facts from your research sources as needed to support your main claims.
Objections and Response (2 pages): After giving your own arguments, address two or three possible objections to your thesis. An objection is an argument or concern that might be raised against your view. For each objection, first describe what it involves and then show why it is mistaken and does not undermine your main claims. Be sure to respond to each objection and show that your thesis is in fact correct.
Conclusion (half a page): Signal the end of the paper, review your thesis and main ideas, and discuss the wider significance of your research beyond merely summarizing it. End with a memorable closing.
