What do you recall about how you developed personal/communal values and morals? What were the driving forces in your decisions regarding moral dilemmas during adolescence? Did you hold to any faith beliefs at the time or not? This essay will address students’ comprehension of Kohlberg’s theory of moral development and also encourage students to engage in self-reflection regarding the personal experiences that might have influenced their development of moral reasoning. For this essay, students should do the following:
Students will begin with a formal introduction paragraph which should introduce the topic and communicate what will be discussed in the body of the paper.
Students will read the textbook section on Kohlberg’s theory of moral reasoning in Chapter 8, including the story of “Heinz.
Then students should find and read at least 2 additional academic journal articles related to Kohlberg’s theory of moral reasoning.
Following this review of current literature, students will write an essay that includes the following:
A brief literature review based on the textbook and the additional journal articles. Please discuss what Kohlberg’s theory suggests in general and any interesting research outcomes you discovered.
Next, with the Heinz story in mind, think back to your adolescent years and discuss which level and stage you believe you would have been at. In other words, if your adolescent self was caught in the same dilemma as Heinz, what would you have done and why? Would faith beliefs have impacted your reasoning?
Please discuss whether you believe that your moral reasoning is different now compared to your adolescence. If, today, you were in the same dilemma as Heinz, what level and stage do you believe you’d be at and why? Do faith beliefs impact your reasoning?
Students are required to use subheadings to organize this essay (e.g., Introduction; Brief Literature Review; Heinz Dilemma in Adolescence; Heinz Dilemma Today).
This essay should be 3-4 pages of text, plus a title page and reference page. No abstract needed.
Required: APA in-text citations for any information that you gather from outside sources.
Grading Rubric:
Introduction (10 points) – Students will begin with a formal introduction paragraph which should introduce the topic and communicate what will be discussed in the body of the paper.
Brief Literature Review (20 points) – A brief literature review based on the textbook and the additional journal articles. Please discuss what Kohlberg’s theory suggests in general and any interesting research outcomes you discovered. A
Heinz Dilemma, Adolescence (25 points) – With the Heinz story in mind, think back to your adolescent years and discuss which level and stage you believe you would have been at. In other words, if your adolescent self was caught in the same dilemma as Heinz, what would you have done and why? Would faith beliefs have impacted your reasoning?
Heinze Dilemma, Today (25 points) – Discuss whether you believe that your moral reasoning is different now compared to your adolescence. If, today, you were in the same dilemma as Heinz, what level and stage do you believe you’d be at and why? Do faith beliefs impact your reasoning?
Peer-reviewed sources (10 points) – students are required to utilize at least 2 peer-reviewed, academic journal articles. Students may use the course textbook as well; however, the textbook is in addition to the required 2 journal sources. Please, no website citations are permitted, as they are not primary sources of developmental research.
APA style; Length of essay (10 points) – Proper APA formatting is required throughout the paper. Please remember proper APA in-text citations for any information that you gather from outside sources. This essay should be 3-4 pages of text, plus a title page and reference page. No abstract needed. Required subheadings are used.
