Just as we face ethical dilemmas in everyday life, we encounter similar issues while conducting social research. Conducting research in social sciences can involve personal or professional ethical dilemmas that can be subtle yet extremely damaging if not corrected. Dilemmas can occur when working with research recipients who are from different cultures or speak different languages, or when using inappropriate instruments while conducting research.
A common problem that social science researchers run into is child abuse or neglect that occurs while the researcher is working on a social issue, such as appropriate parenting or the effects of parenting types on children. For example, sometimes social research can involve being in a child’s home, and the researcher may observe something inappropriate occurring but be uncertain if they should report it. Another example could be a researcher who is in the field, such as at a shopping center, and while observing family interactions may observe a parent hitting a child.
In your initial response, indicate what you, as a researcher, would do if you witnessed this. Is it your role as a researcher to get involved? Why or why not?
This assignment requires you to choose an article and then write about the ethical implications and the impact of the events that are described in the article.
Preparation
Read and reflect on one of the following articles.
Analyze the following questions associated with your chosen article and discuss them using concepts you learned in this course.
What ideals, effects, and consequences are at stake?
Have any moral rights been violated?
What would a Utilitarian recommend?
What would a Kantian recommend?
Explain your rationale for each of your answers for your chosen article, with supporting evidence.
This course requires the use of Strayer Writing Standards. For assistance and information, please refer to the Strayer Writing Standards link in the left-hand menu of your course. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:
Evaluate the ethical implications and impact of the events of selected business situations using predominant ethical theories and concepts.
As American citizens, we can use our voices to communicate to our authority figures about how their decisions can impact society. One of the ways that we as citizens can participate in the creation of a future where all citizens are treated equitably is to voice our collective needs to those that we have placed in positions of authority. Before we do so, we should understand the relationship among power, privilege, and other socio-structural factors and the life circumstances of individuals from different groups. This paper will give you space to think through these ideas and to better prepare you to make your voice heard and have a positive impact on the world.
Define the concepts of power and privilege and how they relate.
Discuss the chapter in light of your textbook readings (especially Chapter 2: Analyzing Economic Inequalities):
What is your perspective on the relationship between power and privilege and social problems? Use specific examples to support your ideas.
If you could have a conversation with a person in a position of authority about the relationship between power, privilege, and current social problems, what would you discuss? What advice or tools would you suggest to help them gain more social intelligence in this area?
Use two sources from this week’s readings to support your writing. Cite the sources listed at least one time within your assignment. For help with research, writing, and citation, access the library or review library guides.
This course requires the use of Strayer Writing Standards. For assistance and information, please refer to the Strayer Writing Standards link in the left-hand menu of your course. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
The specific course learning outcome associated with this assignment is:
Describe the relationship between power, privilege, and other socio-structural factors and the life circumstances of individuals from different groups.
As American citizens, we can use our voices to communicate to our authority figures about how their decisions can impact society. One of the ways that we as citizens can participate in the creation of a future where all citizens are treated equitably is to voice our collective needs to those that we have placed in positions of authority. Before we do so, we should understand the relationship among power, privilege, and other socio-structural factors and the life circumstances of individuals from different groups. This paper will give you space to think through these ideas and to better prepare you to make your voice heard and have a positive impact on the world.
Define the concepts of power and privilege and how they relate.
Discuss the chapter in light of your textbook readings (especially Chapter 2: Analyzing Economic Inequalities):
What is your perspective on the relationship between power and privilege and social problems? Use specific examples to support your ideas.
If you could have a conversation with a person in a position of authority about the relationship between power, privilege, and current social problems, what would you discuss? What advice or tools would you suggest to help them gain more social intelligence in this area?
Use two sources from this week’s readings to support your writing. Cite the sources listed at least one time within your assignment. For help with research, writing, and citation, access the library or review library guides.
This course requires the use of Strayer Writing Standards. For assistance and information, please refer to the Strayer Writing Standards link in the left-hand menu of your course. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
The specific course learning outcome associated with this assignment is:
Describe the relationship between power, privilege, and other socio-structural factors and the life circumstances of individuals from different groups.
Week 6 Assignment – Beliefs and Opinions of Authority
Overview
In this assignment, you will discuss how the imbalance of power creates or sustains systemic issues by examining one of the topics below. In so doing, you will examine the ethical, legal, and political implications of inequality and inequity at a societal level. This will increase your awareness of how social intelligence can help leaders make fairer decisions for society. You can also apply this learning to your personal decision-making process, to make choices that benefit the people you interact with every day.
Requirements
Select one of the topics listed in the Topics section below.
Read the articles provided for that topic.
Answer the following questions in a 3–5 page paper:
Summarize the issue and each author’s perspective about it.
What imbalance of power is present? How do you know (support with examples)?
How does this impact the individual(s) involved? (use specific examples.)
How might this issue impact the larger society? Consider:
Ethical implications.
Legal implications.
Political implications.
Substantiate your answers with evidence from the articles (cite accordingly).
Ensure your paper has an introduction and conclusion.
Use two sources listed in the Requirements to support your writing. Cite the sources listed at least one time within your assignment. For help with research, writing, and citation, access the library or review library guides.
This course requires the use of Strayer Writing Standards. For assistance and information, please refer to the Strayer Writing Standards link in the left-hand menu of your course. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
The specific course learning outcome associated with this assignment is:
Examine the ethical, legal, and political implications of inequality and inequity on a larger scale.
Week 6 Assignment – Not All Companies Are Viewed as Equal
Overview
In the land of free trade, the public does not view all industries as equal. Do you believe that is ethical? Do you believe that some industries are unfairly targeted? Should it be consumers’ choice to partake in products that are not healthy for them, or do those companies have an ethical obligation to protect people?
Choose one of the following industries to frame your paper:
The pharmaceutical industry.
The payday loan industry.
Cloning for medical purposes.
Instructions
Write a paper in which you:
Describe the background of the industry and its customer base for which you are framing your argument.
Prepare a sound argument that explained the major reasons you support the industry or the customer with strong supporting evidence.
Justify your beliefs on whether it is possible for a company to simultaneously cater to both its best interest and that of the consumer, or if one always must prevail.
Use at least two quality references. Note: Wikipedia and similar Websites do not qualify as academic resources.
This course requires the use of Strayer Writing Standards. For assistance and information, please refer to the Strayer Writing Standards link in the left-hand menu of your course. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
The specific course learning outcome associated with this assignment is:
Determine the ethical considerations for balancing corporate and social responsibilities.
Capitalism is an economic and political system in which a country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state. Socialism is a political and economic theory of social organization that advocates for the means of production, distribution, and exchange being owned or regulated by the community as a whole (1). Understanding the difference between capitalism and socialism will help you understand how these economic systems impact how resources are collected and distributed within society, which is connected to that society’s system of work. In this assignment, you will write an essay discussing how capitalism and socialism function in different countries.
Preparation
Choose one capitalist country and one socialist country from the following lists:
After choosing your countries, use the corresponding library guide to research your chosen countries and then write a one-page essay in which you do the following:
Explain the concepts of capitalism and socialism in your chosen countries.
Compare and contrast capitalism and socialism in your chosen countries with supporting definitions, explanations, and examples.
Identify three pros and three cons for both capitalism and socialism in your chosen countries.
The specific course learning outcome associated with this assignment is:
Examine the role capitalism plays in corporate decision making.
Sources
1. William H. Shaw. 2014. Business Ethics: A Textbook with Cases. Wadsworth, Cengage Learning 9th edition textbook.
Download the Library Guide by clicking the following link:
Capitalism is an economic and political system in which a country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state. Socialism is a political and economic theory of social organization that advocates for the means of production, distribution, and exchange being owned or regulated by the community as a whole (1). Understanding the difference between capitalism and socialism will help you understand how these economic systems impact how resources are collected and distributed within society, which is connected to that society’s system of work. In this assignment, you will write an essay discussing how capitalism and socialism function in different countries.
Preparation
Choose one capitalist country and one socialist country from the following lists:
After choosing your countries, use the corresponding library guide to research your chosen countries and then write a one-page essay in which you do the following:
Explain the concepts of capitalism and socialism in your chosen countries.
Compare and contrast capitalism and socialism in your chosen countries with supporting definitions, explanations, and examples.
Identify three pros and three cons for both capitalism and socialism in your chosen countries.
The specific course learning outcome associated with this assignment is:
Examine the role capitalism plays in corporate decision making.
Sources
1. William H. Shaw. 2014. Business Ethics: A Textbook with Cases. Wadsworth, Cengage Learning 9th edition textbook.
Download the Library Guide by clicking the following link:
Complete the Examine Your Privilege interactive media piece and then write a 4-5 page essay in which you reflect on your experience within the social stratification system and your connections to others.
Introduction
To better understand the perspectives of others, it is important that we reflect on the role privilege plays in our society. When we think of privilege, we typically think of having money and nice “things,” but privilege is much more than that. Having privilege is not “good” or “bad.” It also does not mean that you have not worked hard or faced significant challenges in your life. Instead, it relates to our place in society’s stratification system and our access to resources and opportunities. Sociologists try to understand privilege and how it impacts our chances in life.
In the United States, we tend to emphasize the American Dream—the idea that if anyone works hard enough they can accomplish anything. Sociologists, however, argue that social mobility (our ability to move up or down in the stratification system) is not simply the result of hard work. Rather, our privilege plays a significant role in our capability for social mobility.
For this assessment, you will reflect on your privilege (or lack thereof) and how it has impacted your life changes. You will also analyze how your privilege is related to those around you and make connections to social mobility. Understanding our privilege in relation to others can help us solve problems and better interact with those around us.
Preparation
Review the suggested resources for this assessment. Note that Chapter 8 of the Sociology: The Essentials textbook provides useful background information, including information on social stratification and social mobility.
Complete the Examining Your Privilege interactive media piece. Please note that your responses will not be shared with your instructor or others.
Instructions
Considering your responses from the Examining Your Privilege interactive media piece, complete the following:
Explain the role privilege plays in social hierarchies and opportunities for social mobility. Use your own experiences or the experiences of those you know as examples.
How might your position in society’s stratification system have impacted the opportunities you have had or choices that you have made?
Explain how a sociological perspective on privilege, stratification, and social mobility may help with collaboration.
How might better understanding the experiences of those around you and their relationship with privilege help you to better work alongside them to accomplish goals?
Discuss how having a better understanding of personal privileges could support problem solving at work.
Describe the outcome after completing the Examining Your Privilege media.
What surprised you? What did you learn about yourself?
Be sure to write in a well-organized and concise manner that adheres to the rules of grammar, usage, and mechanics.
Additional Requirements
Your Word document submission should meet the following requirements:
Written communication: Written communication should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
Citations: Include both in-text citations and a references list of your sources. Review Evidence and APA for more information on how to cite your sources.
Number of References: Citing at least one course resource is required. Any additional sources are optional.
Length: 4–5 double-spaced pages of content in addition to the title page and reference page.
Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.
Review the assessment scoring guide for details on how your assessment will be graded.
Competencies Measured
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and scoring guide criteria:
Competency 1: Demonstrate how scientific methods or sociological principles are used to study society.
Explain the role privilege plays in social hierarchies and opportunities for social mobility.
Competency 2: Explain how collaboration is improved through the application of sociological concepts and principles.
Explain how a sociological perspective on privilege, stratification, and social mobility may help with collaboration.
Competency 3: Make decisions using a diverse and ethical perspective.
Discuss how having a better understanding of personal privileges could support problem solving at work.
Competency 4: Address assignment purpose in a well-organized manner, incorporating appropriate evidence and tone in grammatically sound sentences.
Describe the outcome after completing the Examining Your Privilege media.
Write in a well-organized and concise manner that adheres to the rules of grammar, usage, and mechanics.
