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This website features work from the completion of Phase 1 of the SCALES Project.

We are currently seeking partnerships for Phase 2.

Ethical Decision-Making

  • Problem Set 1

    In this problem set you will prepare for and analyze your performance in a negotiation case called Patriot National Insurance versus Byrnes, Byrnes, and Townsend. Part 1 of the assignment takes you through the preparation phase. You will receive the remainder of the assignment once you’ve completed the negotiation.

    Read more: Problem Set 1

  • Week 6: Reading Guide

    Each week’s readings will be accompanied by a set of guiding questions. As you read the materials, take notes about key messages as well as questions you have. Class discussions will center around these.

    Read more: Week 6: Reading Guide

  • Week 5: Reading Guide

    Each week’s readings will be accompanied by a set of guiding questions. As you read the materials, take notes about key messages as well as questions you have. Class discussions will center around these.

    Read more: Week 5: Reading Guide

  • Week 3 Reading Guide: The Nuclear Freeze Campaign and the role of organizers

    We start the first day with a brief discussion of Gusterson’s second article, building on the previous long discussion of the first one. The second part of this discussion is based largely on television interviews of two activist leaders of the campaign for nuclear disarmament. We conclude with Beckwith’s chapter and its relevance to current events at MIT.

    Read more: Week 3 Reading Guide: The Nuclear Freeze Campaign and the role of organizers

  • Week 2: Reading Guide

    Each week’s readings will be accompanied by a set of guiding questions. As you read the materials, take notes about key messages as well as questions you have. Class discussions will center around these.

    Read more: Week 2: Reading Guide

  • Week 1: Reading Guide

    Each week’s readings will be accompanied by a set of guiding questions. As you read the materials, take notes about key messages as well as questions you have. Class discussions will center around these.

    Read more: Week 1: Reading Guide

  • Final Communication Project

    Media Option: Students who choose this option will create a pamphlet, lesson plan, wiki, blog or webpage in which they (a) introduce a moral question concerning food choices or food policy, (b) provide material that presents arguments on different sides of the issue, (c) outline the arguments on each side in their strongest (most plausible) form and (d) give a brief evaluation of the arguments and draws conclusions, where possible. (If a lesson plan, the product should also include an activity that will prompt reflection or discussion.) The product should also provide information about where to find more information on the topic.

    Read more: Final Communication Project

  • Final paper

    Option A: Option A: Expansion of paper 2. Based on feedback on paper 2, you will develop your argument in paper 3 (2500 words (10 pages)).

    Option B: Option B: New paper. You will write on a topic that you pose. Please use the same topic proposal form that was distributed for paper 2. 1250 words (5 pages).

    Read more: Final paper

  • Paper 2

    Paper 2 (1250 words (5 pages)): You have a choice of writing on topics distributed in class or on a topic you pose (original paper topics must be approved in advance). 

    Read more: Paper 2

  • Paper 1

    Write a 5-page (1250 word) argumentative essay on one of the following topics. Note that your paper must articulate a thesis in response to the topic and defend the thesis with argument(s). At the top of the first page of your paper – above your title (if you have one) and your first paragraph – please state your thesis in bold. This is the claim that you are arguing for in the rest of your paper. (You should also state the thesis in the body of your text.)

    Read more: Paper 1

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