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Masterson Ethics Competition Guidelines

Guidelines and Requirements
for the Case Analysis and Personal Statement
[Click HERE for same guidelines in MS Word document]

 

To participate in the Thomas J. Masterson (TJM) Ethics Essay Competition, you must submit both (A) an analysis of a short case, and (B) a personal statement. 


The case analysis must have the following components:
- identify key issues of fact and provide a clear statement of the ethical dilemma
- a description of a few alternative courses of action (for the individual(s) struggling with the ethical dilemma) and a statement of likely consequences for each alternative
- your recommendation (that is, the best alternative course of action) for resolving the dilemma and the reasoning that supports your recommendation
- be sure to discuss what the consequences of your recommendation will be for the main actor (and applicable others) in the case

In addition to proper word choice, grammar, and spelling, contest judges also will consider your adherence to the directions (as stated in both this document and the writing instructions), your writing skills, and the overall organization of your written arguments.  

The personal statement should recount and discuss an occasion in your life when you faced an ethical dilemma and what you learned from it. An ethical dilemma typically involves a "right or wrong" situation or decision in which someone benefits in some way and someone else is harmed, or in which someone'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 an ethics-oriented choice, made a decision, and acted - and then learned something; e.g., a valuable lesson about right and wrong. The example can be drawn from any time in your life 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.

Please make sure you follow these guidelines:

  • This is individual work. It must be done on your own (i.e., without any help from anyone) and pledged by the James Madison University Honor Code. Type your name and the date completed on the cover sheet (which includes your honor pledge. Attaching the cover page (with your name and a date) along with your essay and personal statement is an electronic statement (i.e., your electronic signature) that you have completed this work alone and abide by the JMU Honor Code.
  • Word limit for case analysis: 900. For the case analysis, you are limited to 900 total words (Note: to easily check the total number of words in an MS Word document, go to Tools > Word Count).
  • Word limit for personal statement: none - write as much as you need to in order to convey your ethical situation and what you learned from it. 
  • Use 12 point font; double-space the entire paper; indent each paragraph 5 spaces; use one-inch margins (top, bottom, and sides); do not use any headers or footers; and do not put page numbers on the pages.
  • Send your cover sheet (see below), your case analysis, and your personal statement all in the same file. Separate each by page breaks (Insert > Break > Page Break).
  • Scoring criteria. The case analysis will be scored by several COB faculty members based on the following criteria: Clearly identified the ethical problem; Identified and discussed all salient issues surrounding the problem; Discussed various alternative courses of action that may bring resolution to the issue; also, clearly identified the best (i.e., recommended) strategy; Provided a clear understanding of the salient consequences (benefits / harms) of the recommended course of action; Used quality, effective writing skills free of spelling and grammatical errors; and Followed directions. Note: there are no scoring criteria for the personal statement.
  • Follow all instructions. Failure to follow instructions, and failure to include requisite cover sheets, one for the essay and one for the personal statement, may disqualify your submission from consideration.

Start with the following "Cover Sheet" (below), which will serve as the first page of electronic document:

Cover Sheet for the

College of Business Thomas J. Masterson Ethics Essay Competition

Honor Code Agreement
 

Your name (type): __________________________________

Date submitted (type): ____________________


On my honor, I have neither given nor received help from anyone on this assignment:

 

____________________________________________.

Signature (type your name again here)

 

NOTE: Your typed name included with this electronic document serves as your signature; therefore, by typing your name in this document you certify that you abided by the JMU Honor Code in performing this work entirely by yourself - with no help from anyone.