Ethics Essay Contest

 

The College of Business Annual Thomas J. Masterson Ethics Essay Competition, now in its seventh year, is sponsored by Rich Masterson, A JMU College of Business alum and successful entrepreneur.  It's named in memory of Rich's father.

The competition is open to all business majors, including MBA and MSA students. First and second place winners are selected to receive scholarship awards and are recognized during the annual College of Business Awards Banquet in the spring. Winners graduating spring or fall 2008, or spring 2009 may apply their scholarship award to future graduate work at JMU.

The competition opens Monday, March 17.  The deadline for submission is 9:00pm, Sunday, April 20.  Materials are to be submitted as hard copy to any of the following faculty who are also the contact people for questions and clarification.  Submissions must also be made electronically as email attachments to Dr. Ken Williamson at williamsonkn@gmail.com.

Dr. Bob Kolodinsky, ZSH 644, 568.3014, kolodirw@jmu.edu

Dr. Susan Kruck, ZSH 226, 568.3016, kruckse@jmu.edu

Prof. Bob McMillen, ZSH 446, 568.3213, mcmillrm@jmu.edu

Dr. Ken Williamson, ZSH 235, 568.3222, williakc@jmu.edu


 
Participant Instructions

   

To participate in the TJM competition, you must submit both a personal statement and an analysis of a case. The personal statement should recount and discuss an occasion in your life when you faced an ethical dilemma. An ethical dilemma typically involves a situation or decision in which someone benefits in some way and someone else is harmed, or in which someone's rights are exercised and someone else's rights are denied. This need not be an occasion when you behaved well, though it could be. But it must be an occasion when you faced a choice, made a decision, and acted--and then learned something (either at the time or later, upon reflection) about right and wrong. The example can be drawn from any time in your life; e.g., childhood or adulthood, and from any part of your life, e.g., from school, work, sports, church, a romance, or time spent with friends. In the discussion, be sure to make it clear why this was an important event in your life and what you learned from it.

The case analysis must identify key issues of fact and provide a clear statement of the ethical dilemma. It must set forth your strategy for resolving the dilemma and the reasoning that supports your strategy. Be sure to discuss what the consequences of your recommendation will be for the main actor and others in the case. In evaluating both the personal statement and the case analysis, judges will consider your adherence to the directions (as stated in both this document and the writing instructions) and your writing skills. In addition to proper word choice, grammar, and spelling, they will look for a clearly stated purpose, organization, balanced logical argumentation, and content that maintains reader interest.

 

Requirements for the personal statement and analysis of the case 

  • This is individual work. It must be done on your own and pledged by the James Madison University Honor Code. Include a cover sheet with your name, date submitted, and your honor pledge.

  • For the analysis of the case, you are limited to 900 words or three pages, which ever is shorter. (Cover sheet does not count.) There is not a page limit for the personal statement.

  • Use 12 point Garamond font; print only on one side of the paper; double-space entire paper; indent paragraph 5 spaces; exactly one inch margins (top, bottom, and sides); use left margin justification only (do not justify the right margin); do not use any headers or footers; and do not put page numbers on the pages.

  • Follow all instructions. Failure to follow instructions, and failure to include requisite cover sheets, one for the essay and one for the personal statement, disqualifies your submission from consideration.

Download the 2008 cover sheet for the ethics essay statement

Download the 2008 ethics case