Center for Studies of Ethics

Case Studies

Faculty in the Ethics Across the Curriculum Program write a minimum of four case studies per year. Faculty are to ask disciplinary advisory groups to submit case studies as well.
Faculty yearly present one case study during the summer seminar. The scholar-in-residence and seminar participants analyze and discuss the case with the presenter.
Most cases are one page followed with questions for analysis for the students.

Case One by Grant, faculty advisor:

The student newspaper is concerned about a rash of suicides that have been taking place among the student body. They believe it is necessary to tell the names of the last four students who have recently taken their lives as a means of preventing future suicides. Traditionally, the cause of death for a suicide victim is not listed as such. The student editors decide to run the story stating the names and pertinent details of the deaths. In the story they also cite national trends and give solutions for students considering suicide. In a two page argument answer the following questions:

Is it acceptable for the student newspaper to print the names and pertinent details of the deaths?
How can printing of the story prevent future suicides?
What harms are caused by printing the story?
Should the student newspaper be reprimanded or shut down for improper use of press freedoms?

Case Prepared by Jerry, a Graphic Arts student

I was asked by my boss to prepare some government reports about how we dispose of waste products--specifically, how we discard paper and the used oil from our presses. I was told that we recycled our paper and that we had the oil picked up by a truck. I knew that wasn't true. The boss doesn't like to discuss anything, especially something like that. I did some asking around and found out that we used to do proper disposal, but it cost $714 to have the truck come and get the oil and grease, and that the person responsible before I got the job had decided it wasn't worth it because we had to pay the inspector $220 to come out and look at what we did, so he was taking the oil to the dump himself. I decided that I should ask the boss about it. It was an awful meeting. He told me that it was my responsibility to get rid of it, and I could either take it myself or take the money out of my salary. I knew that his decision wasn't a good decision, but I didn't want to lose my job. I decided to talk about it in one of our ethics discussions at College. The class was divided on whether I should blow the whistle on the boss; if I should haul the waste myself; or if I should fill out the papers as I had been told. After a lot of thought, I decided to haul it to a recycle place myself. It only took one Saturday morning every four months or so, but I think it isn't part of my responsibility. The company is still in business, which is the most good for the most people, and I am thinking right now that is the best decision. At least the oil is getting to the right place, and I do have my job. Before this class I probably would have just lied on the report. In a two page argument answer the following questions:

What are the ethical responsibilities of the company? What harms are being caused by the company?
What are the ethical responsibilities of Jerry's boss? What harms are being caused by Jerry's boss?
What are Jerry's ethical responsibilities?

Jerry selects a utilitarian argument with this case. Explain how this is an appropriate or inappropriate ethics justification.

Further Example Case Studies: