RH 5. Ethics requires the use of appropriate moral theories, ethical principles, or professional standards to weigh alternatives and determine a proper professional course of action.

Criterion A1. Explain important ethical obligations associated with your discipline.

Primary Traits: A passing submission for this criterion must:

1. Explain at least one major ethical obligation.

2. Explain how the obligation applies to professional action.

3. Give several specific examples of professional activities where the ethical obligation applies.

Potential documents: Documents appropriate for this criterion include (but are not limited to): Paper or assignment from bioethics (VA304), professional practice (CHE409), MG463, or other appropriate essay.

Additional information:

1. None

Criterion B1. Apply a systematic ethical framework to an ethical issue or situation in a disciplinary context.

Primary Traits: A passing submission for this criterion must:

1. Clearly explain the issue or situation to be analyzed.

2. Show which professional duties apply to the issue or situation by citing a relevant code of ethics.

3. Resolve any conflicts among the applicable duties through a reasoned analysis.

4. Show how an appropriate stance on the issue or situation follows from the analysis.

Additional information:

1. None

Criterion C1. Analyze a complex situation involving multiple conflicting ethical interests or principles to support an appropriate course of action.

Primary Traits: A passing submission for this criterion must:

1. Clearly explain the facts relevant to an ethical evaluation of the situation.

2. Show what competing interests are at work in the situation.

3. Resolve disputes among the competing interests using a systematic ethical framework and/or professional standards.

4. Justify an appropriate course of action and explain why it is the best among the available alternatives.

Additional information:

1. None

Revision History:

May 6, 2008 by the HSS Department

April 7, 2008 by CASO