part, it will be clear time that the two parts need to be integrated and that a poor grade will result from a an inaccurate understanding of theory application. Fifth the instructor will grade (with feedback) and return the values-ethical dilemma part of assignment within three days after it is due and require the theory application to be handed in one week after the first part is returned. Finally the overall assignment will be worth a higher proportion of the course grade.
In general we want to make the entire unit more unit more formal. Above it is clear that we will be more specific as to what is required of graded assignments and that we will explain more clearly how to apply the theory we assign .More will be expected and the grade will count more. In addition the whole unit will be explained, including the kind of classroom climate expected and the possible contradiction between loose, laissez faire discussions on one hand and serious theory application and rigorous grading criteria for written assignments on the other.
We see no need to major revisions in any of the other parts of the unit. There’s no reason to change part 1 of the unit, as it establishes the importance and relevance of ethics to the students’ lives. It also establishes an open climate to discuss the topic, as the climate validates that the idea that there are no (with only statements implying the possibility of violent acts as exceptions) wrong answers. Part 2 also generated values-related discussions, but it did not elicit intensity of discussion that part 1 elicited. We might change the specific to increase the complexity of the issues presented to students or to enhance the excitement lever of discussions. We will devote less time to both parts 1 and 2, in the graduate class, because there is less time available and because many of these students, especially those with work experience, probably have already been exposed to the issues.
Part 3 seemed more successful than expected, but improvements are possible. It will be introduced with more explanation as to what kinds of papers might and might not be acceptable and also with concrete examples either from past students or from the instructor’s life. We also plan to have a post assignment discussion focusing on the kinds of dilemmas students described in their papers. We think this will be valuable as students should get a sense of the kinds of issues others faced and how protagonists handled dilemmas. To prevent suppression of disclosure, topics will be presented by the instructor without ascription to the author and students can ask that their dilemma not be presented. One of the reasons why we will present dilemmas anonymously is we’ve already tried to have a post assignment discussion, with only limited success because only two of the class’s 13 students volunteered to share their experience.