Analyzing Ethical Theories through Pop-Culture Heroes and Villains

Task:

This midterm powerpoint presentation gives you the opportunity to rehearse, analyze and deepen your understanding of all of the prominent, ethical theories we have explored in the course. This activity aligns with module outcomes 2 and 3. Content Requirements: Choose one pop-culture hero, superhero or villain, and identify one ethical issue this figure typically has to tackle. Then explain how your pop figure might solve the same ethical issue from at least 6 different ethical theories we have covered thus far. Make sure your ethical issue or problem is complicated enough for you to apply each ethical theory and to allow enough detailed analysis of the issue.

Be sure to draw upon six of the nine theories we have covered thus far: Relativism Virtue Ethics Utilitarianism (Consequentialism, Teleology) Kantian Ethics (Deontology) Feminist Ethics Care Ethics Egoism Nihilism Postmodernism Imagine and include what might be the actions, thoughts, or words the superhero could perform or utter from each particular ethical stance. Every slide should have a specific quote from the hero/heroine and an explanation of how this relates to the corresponding theory. What might be the consequences or aftermath of acting from each particular stance for your chosen pop figure? Don’t forget to include this, along with a variety of unique and colorful graphics for each slide. Citations and References: You should have citations on every slide (Author, Date) for the definition of each theory, for your quotes, and also a reference slide at the end. For example, you might choose the topic of whether a superwomen should kill villains. We had discussed in Module 2 how most superheroes/heroines are deontologists, and almost never opt to break their moral code, regardless of the consequences. In the comic book story of Wonder Woman, although she is usually a deontologist, she does kill the villain Max Lord, essentially undermining the classic superhero/heroine approach of merely apprehending a villain. You would then identify 6 different ethical theories and analyze how the issue of killing villains would play out given each theory. Writing and Presentation Reminders:

Create a minimum of a ten-slide PowerPoint with colorful graphics and easy-to-read font on each slide. Logically organize your ideas (you should first identify how the figure typically responds to the issue and what ethical theory typically dominates this figure’s reactions. Ensure that the analysis and description of each of the various ethical theories are accurate. Include one direct, substantial quotation from each our readings for each of the different ethical theories you’re explaining. Be sure to include an APA reference page at the end. This course uses the American Psychological Association (APA) format for scholarly writing. References and citations must adhere to the proper format for all written work presented including essays, discussion postings, and essay exams. Online tips for using APA style may be found at the Perdue Online Writing Lab (Links to an external site.).

To assist you in your research, the library has the following tutorials and links for you to use: Getting Started with Your Research (Links to an external site.) Frequently Asked Questions (Links to an external site.) Research Databases (Links to an external site.) Submit your essay in a PowerPoint document (freeware found at Open Office (Links to an external site.)) and place it in the appropriate assignment dropbox. The assignment must be submitted in the proper module assignment dropbox. Do not submit assignments via email or virtual office. Be sure to proofread your essay for spelling and grammar before submitting it. SmartThinking is available to assist you with your writing. Students may access SmartThinking (Links to an external site.) assistance by selecting the "Free Tutoring" link on the course's left navigation bar. Compose your work in a .doc or .docx file type using a word processor (such as Microsoft Word, etc.) and save it frequently to your computer. For those assignments that are not written essays and require uploading images or PowerPoint slides, please follow uploading guidelines provided by your instructor. Check your work and correct any spelling or grammatical errors. When you are ready to submit your work, click “Upload Submission.” Enter the submission title and then click on “Select a file to upload.” Browse your computer, and select your file. Click “Open” and verify the correct file name has appeared next to Submission File. Click on “Continue.” Confirm submission is correct and then click on “Accept Submission & Save.” Turnitin® This course has Turnitin® fully integrated into the course dropbox.