Ethics and Professional Communication

[syllabus] [calendar]

The purpose of this activity is to explore the ethical implications of your written documents. In particular, you will be looking at how the documents that you create for the Digital Copyright Case affect
others.

Before Class

• In PWOnline read about Ethics and Professional Communication, at the bottom of the node also read Basic Precepts of Ethics, Copyright, Plagiarism, and Fair Use of Others' Writing, Representing Gender (think about how this applies to ethnicity and race as well), and the Ethics Editing Checklist. Read links about Representing Data Visually
• Also read the Wired article about the use of peer-to-peer technology on the medical profession.
• Write the Rhetorical Situation Memo. Send this in the body of an email to the instructor before class; cc yourself so you have a copy to revise for the portfolio.

During Class

• Work with your DCC groups.

• Start by sharing your rhetorical emails with each other and getting a sense of the context your peers are creating for themselves.
• Discuss ways you and your peers may be able to develop their rhetorical situation.

Questions

Address the following question in a MS Word document (I recommend using a horizontal orientation for this activity).

1. Articulate four principles of ethics that professional writers must consider.
   
   
2. Develop a grid (Insert--> Table), in the first vertical column pose three different possible responses that you can give to the displeased client. In the first horizontal row, list as many people (or groups of people) who will be affected by any changes that PPParty.com makes in their policies; think broadly.
   
   
3. Fill in the grid by articulating the effect that each decision might have on the people (or groups of people) involved.
   
   
4. As a group, either 1) modify (or add details) to each response so that you are doing the most good for the most people, or 2) develop an ethical justification for the current plan of action.