Intro Ethics Character Analysis

1
Introduction to Ethics: Character Analysis
75 points for paper; 25 points for discussion post/responses
Assignment: Choose a real person in a documentary, docuseries, or podcast that you have watched or
listened to (see topics on page 2). Write 2-3 pages explaining the ethical theory the person operates
under and how it influences his or her choices and relationships. You will not conduct research or read
other people’s opinions of the person. This is your analysis based on what you have learned so far in
this class.
Requirements:
• 2-3 pages
• MLA format
o Works Cited page with 1) show or podcast cite and 2) textbook
o In-text citations if directly quoting from show or textbook
• No research outside of textbook, class videos, or class PowerPoints
o This is only your analysis, not random internet sources’ opinions
Questions to Answer within Paper:
• Which ethical theory that we covered so far this term does the person operate under?
• Is the person consistent with his or her ethical theory, or does the person frequently change
theories?
• Which philosopher would most likely condone the person’s actions?
• Which philosopher would most likely condemn the person’s actions?
• If person is still alive: In five years, if the person continues under the particular theory, what will
likely happen?
Organization:
Introduction: Summarize the series (without spoilers) and tell just enough that your classmates who
haven’t seen or listened can understand it. By the end of intro, narrow to your specific character, and,
for a thesis, tell which theory the person follows.
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Body: Consider three specific stories/scenes that demonstrate the theory the person follows.
Incorporate the answers to the questions above.
Conclusion: Tell where that person will be in five years (if applicable) and/or what that person’s life
may have been like if she or he had followed a different theory.
Topic Options (you may choose one of the following or get approval for another):
OCCC Library Database Free Access Documentaries (1-2 hours long; use your OCCC log in, if needed):
• The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley (HBO)
• Decoding Watson (PBS)
• OCCC Library List of Other Documentaries (please get permission for these)
Docuseries on Paid Platforms (multiple episodesfor each; will take much longer to watch)
• Wild, Wild Country (Netflix)
• Lu La Rich (Amazon)
• Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez (Netflix)
• Naomi Osaka (Netflix)
• Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey (Netflix)
• Athlete A (Netflix)
Documentaries on Paid Platforms (1-2 hours long)
• Our Father (Netflix)
• FYRE: The Greatest Party that Never Happened (Netflix)
• LFG (HBO)
Free Podcasts (multiple episodes; search your phone or browser podcast app)
• The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill (Christianity Today)
• Dr. Death (Wondery)
• White Lies (NPR)
• Dirty John (Wondery)