RYLA Ethical Leadership (Rising 9th-12th)
How do you know how to make a good decision? Learning the basics of ethics and how to put that into practice through ethical decision making can put you on a life-long path to make good decisions. In this course we will introduce you to ethics and give you a step-by-step guide to making ethical decision. Students will get the opportunity to compete in an ethics case competition and put their ethical skills to the test against their fellow class mates. And since service is a big part of ethical leadership, we are also sure to include a field trip to help out those who need it.
Day One: Intro to Ethics
Morning
Students will begin their study of ethics with one of the most well-known ethical quandaries, the Trolley Car Problem. After a discussion on the Trolley Car Problem, we will define ethics and breakdown some of the most common theories and vocabulary in ethics education. Students will then learn to identify values that mean the most to them to begin understanding what ethics means in their own lives.
Afternoon
The afternoon will shift from general ethics to ethical decision-making. We will introduce the STAR Decision-Making Model, created by Clemson University faculty for our students. We will use the model to work through the Trolley Car Problem and practice with other common ethical dilemmas.
Day Two: Ethical Decision Making
Morning
The morning will start with students compiling a list of ethical dilemmas they have faced at home or in school. Groups will then perform skits resolving an issue identified. The audience will analyze their skits and discuss.
Afternoon
The afternoon begins our introduction to case competitions. A Clemson graduate assistant will run a case competition workshop to familiarize students with the contents and process of a case competition. We will introduce the ethical dilemma students will create their case around and split the class into two to three-person teams for the competition.
Day Three: Ethics Case Competition Part 1
Morning
The morning will be devoted to research for the case competition. Teams will be able to begin to formulate their plan for the competition.
Afternoon
Field Trip- The class will head into Greenville for a field trip related to our case. If students pay close attention, they may be able to use some of what we hear today in their case. Students will also be involved in a service activity during our field trip.
Day Four: Ethics Case Competition Part 2
Morning
Students will have time to complete their research, create presentation, and practice their presentations for the competition.
Afternoon
It is competition time! Students will present their presentation to a panel of judges. All students will receive value feedback about their presentation and the research into their case. We will end the day announcing and celebrating the winners.
Day Five: Life Boat Challenge
Morning
We end the week with another fun challenge. During the case competition, students worked in pairs or on teams, but for this activity the students must bring together everything they’ve learned during the week and convince the class they deserve a spot on the life boat. We will hand out role assignments and students will prepare arguments and state their cases in the morning.
Afternoon
After lunch, it is time to vote. The class will vote on who should get the last spot in the life boat and a prize will be awarded. We will end the day with a debrief of the week.
Course Leader: Dr. William McCoy
This is a collaboration between Clemson University Rutland Institute for Ethics and Rotary Youth Leadership Award Programs.
