Honor Code in Class
AP English 11
Spring 2010
In this quarter I have used the following pieces of writing to raise issues of honesty,
integrity, and moral action in my class.
1. From Machiavelli’s The Prince, “The Way Princes Should Keep Their Word.”
We discussed Machiavelli’s notion that honesty is a good thing insofar as it is
practical, a luxury that the effective ruler cannot always afford. We discussed the idea
in relation to current politics considering expediency, effectiveness, and integrity.
2. Stephen Carter’s “The Insufficiency of Honesty.”
We discussed the difference between honesty and integrity since Carter’s focus is on
motive. In short, honesty is not enough. We debated some examples.
3. Stephanie Ericsson’s “The Ways We Lie.”
We focused on types, motives, and purposes of lies. The conclusion was a discussion
of judicious choice in dishonesty.
4. Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
We discussed Huck’s lying, types and degrees. We focused on the social commentary
made by Twain’s pointing out that Huck must often lie in the cause of virtue. Huck
represents the Fugitive Good in a corrupt world. We made contemporary applications.