Thesis Statement AND OUTLINE

hybrid cars Moral and Ethical Considerations: Consider quality of life, human rights, codes of ethics, privacy, accountability, corporate responsibility government responsibility, individual responsibility (e.g., ways of dying and rights of dying). What ethical values are expressed implicitly or explicitly by this technology? Pride (being the first-to-get-to-the moon kind of thing)? Greed? Power? Fraud? Theft? Deception? Lies? Whose rights are violated? Whose rights are honored? Consumer rights? The rights of the general public? Freedom? Authority? Control? What are the major moral concerns associated with the creation and adoption of this technology? Remember the e-Waste example in the reading I gave you—the disposal of dangerous toxins in “poorer” countries, the not-in-my-backyard phenomenon. What do religious groups have to say (this group thing may fit better in the sociology section)? For example, contraceptives generally prevent pregnancy but for some this technology violates what they call “natural law” and their religious belief in God’s command to “be fruitful and multiply.” Look at corporate code of ethics, professional codes of ethics (IEEE, etc.) available through websites such as Illinois Institute of Technology’s and Case Western Reserve University’s (compilation) or ethicsonline.org. Look at the companies developing the technology and check out their “codes of ethics” to determine whether the technology they are developing is in keeping with their mission and values. Who is responsible if something goes wrong or if critical information is withheld from the public? Example: asbestos and cigarettes

Thesis Statement:

Each outline assignment should begin with a thesis statement. This thesis sentence presents the central idea of the paper. It must always be a complete, grammatical sentence, specific and brief, which expresses the point of view you are taking towards the subject. (You will need to collaborate with your group on the perspective of the thesis.) This thesis statement will be included in the introduction of your final report and the opening of your presentation.

Detailed Outline:

In the outline, each heading and subheading is given in single words or brief phrases. To subdivide a heading into subheadings, there must be at least two subsections. Use numbers and letters to indicate the level of your headings, for example:

I.               Description of the Technology

a.     Science that drove the technology

b.     Applications of the technology

II.              History of the Technology

a.     A brief timeline

b.     An analysis of social factors that drove the technology

Be consistent with your choice of phrases, making sure they are grammatically parallel (where possible).

Each member of the team is to take responsibility for sections of this report. Indicate the assigned sections by placing the student’s name next to each section. When assigning the research try and match up personal strengths or interests. Once again, the required elements are:

·       A brief description of the technology and an explanation of the associated science

·       The historical development and context of the technology

·       Political and legal influences

·       Economic questions and considerations

·       Psychological considerations and sociological effects

·       The technology in its cultural context, media influence

·       Implications for the environment

·       Moral and ethical implications

The finished assignment should be 2 – 3 pages in length, not counting the title page. Although this assignment will result in a group grade, each person is required to submit a copy to the dropbox by the due date. The Team Leader will distribute the finished product to each team member, whereupon each team member will submit the same assignment to the dropbox.