Demonstrate the appropriate application of ethics to
legal matters

Barbara earned a good salary as an internal communications representative for a
privately held company.

She was responsible for communicating the firm’s financial data to all the
employees.

"I was aware something wasn't quite right with the numbers," said Barbara. "But I
was so young and naive-I never thought they could be wrong.“

After asking her coworkers, she realized that they all knew the numbers were
inflated.



The inflated numbers became a part of the corporate culture.
"Everyone was just enjoying the ride and didn't want it to end," said Barbara.
"Venture capitalists were practically throwing money at our company and we were
spending it.”
“I was new at the company, was making great money, and had great benefits—why
would I jeopardize all of that?" said Barbara.
By: Jessica Silliman. Source: Santa Clara University
Markulla Center for Applied Ethics
http://www.scu.edu/ethics/dialogue/candc/cases/infl
ated-numbers.html
1.
2.
3.
4.
Describe the ethical dilemma that Barbara
faces.
List other ways that the situation might have
been handled and the likely outcomes of
those approaches.
What are Barbara’s possible choices to make
in this situation? Which of these would
be good or right choices, and why?
For each alternative approach, who benefits
(gains) and loses (is harmed) as a result?
4.
Evaluate the options by asking the following
questions:
a.
Which option will produce the most good and do the
least harm? (The Utilitarian Approach)
b. Which option best respects the rights of all who have a
stake? (The Rights Approach)
c. Which option treats people equally or proportionately?
(The Justice Approach)
d. Which option best serves the community as a whole,
not just some members?
(The Common Good Approach)
e. Which option leads me to act as the sort of person I
want to be? (The Virtue Approach)
Clarity

Student elaborates on the application of the appropriate ethical
principles to solve the ethics case study
Accuracy

Student is accurate in the selection of the correct principle to apply in
solving the ethics case study
Relevance

Student provides analysis that is relevant to the solution of the ethics
case study
Depth

Student is able to grasp and discuss the complexities and difficulties
of the ethics case study
Class
Assessment 2012 Assignment 2013
Net Gain
Law 1
37%
75%
38%
Law 2
85%
-
-
Law 10
76%
86%
10%
Law 11
74%
91%
17%
Law 12
85%
86%
1%
Law 13
75%
77%
75%
Law 16
85%
91%
6%
Law 17
80%
89%
9%
Law 18
76%
82%
6%
Law 19
81%
90%
9%
Law 20
82%
96%
14%
Law 34
88%
91%
3%
Summary
79%
87%
+8%
New Course Materials Added on Legal Argumentation:



The Uses of Argument – Toulmin model
Analytic Thinking
Argumentation Theory
Materials on Ethics

Character counts – Six Pillars of Character

Why Students Plagiarize - Penn State
**special thanks to Jason Bordbar, Business Law Adjunct and Pat Flood,
SLO Coordinator for their excellent organization and presentation skills


Due to the infusion of the law program with
concepts and principles of ethics and critical
thinking, the 2013 Assessment showed an 8%
increase from 79 % to 87% compared to the 2012
assessment.
Results also underscored the importance of
clarity of directions.
Ethics handouts
above presentation located under David Jordan at
http://lamission.edu/directories