Always Learning

Ethics in Technical Communication (Part of the Allyn & Bacon Series in Technical Communication)
Paul M. Dombrowski, University of Central Florida
Sam Dragga, Series Editor, Texas Tech University

ISBN-10: 0205274625
ISBN-13:  9780205274628

Publisher:  Longman
Copyright:  2000
Format:  Paper; 258 pp
Published:  11/11/1999
Status: Instock


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Description

This book deals with ethics and value systems as they relate to technical and scientific discourse. While it covers several traditional ethical theories from classical to contemporary times, it also emphasizes that ethics is a personal matter of judgment. The book shows students how to become involved with thinking about and applying these theories to their own discourse. The fact that there are no easy answers to ethical questions is emphasized.

Issues that are covered include how and why information is obtained and how it will be used; how the meaning of technical terms shift with the value perspectives behind them; and how science and technology can be used to put forth questionable values or to serve values not apparent in the discourse.


Features

  • Comprehensive coverage of the theory and history of ethics and how they are linked to rhetoric as communication.
  • Provides in-depth analysis and appraisal of four complex real world cases — the Challenger disaster, the tobacco industry, Nazi “scientific” research, and the overselling of Star Wars.
  • Writing topics and discussion questions at the end of each chapter provide opportunities for students to apply learned concepts and to place themselves in realistic ethical dilemmas.
  • Exercises engage students in realistic situations for group discussion and learning.
  • Discussion of ethics is in everyday terminology that is more accessible to a range of students.


Table of Contents

Most chapters conclude with “Conclusion,” “Recommended Websites,” and/or “Topics for Papers and Discussion.”

I.THEORY AND HISTORY.

1.Nature of Ethics.

Why Study Ethics?

What Is Ethics?

Our Expectations.

Assumptions.

Perspectives.

Scope.

Organization.

2.Ethics in Rhetoric as Communication.

Limitations of History.

Ethics and Rhetoric Linked.

3.The Ethics Tradition.

Introduction.

Aristotle.

Kant.

Utilitarianism.

Feminist and Care Perspectives.

Other Views.

II.APPLICATIONS: REAL CASES.

4.Nazi Records: The Origin and Use of Information.

Organization, Dissemination, and Use of Nazi Information.

Nazi Technical Memorandum.

Graphical Images.

Ethical Appraisal.

5.Challenger Disaster.

Two Governmental Reports.

Two Crucial Shifts in Meaning.

“Smoking Gun” Memorandum.

Graphical Images.

Ethical Appraisal.

6.Tobacco and Death: When Is a Cause Not a Cause.

Cause.

Documents.

A Single Word.

Graphical Images.

Ethical Appraisal.

7.Star Wars: Hope vs. Reality.

Context.

Overview of SDI.

Congressional Office of Technology Assessment.

Congressional Hearing.

SDI Documents, Pro & Con.

Star Wars Boycott Pledge.

Patriot: Small Scale SDI.

Technical Claims about Air Operations.

Ethical Appraisal.

III.APPLICATIONS: HYPOTHETICAL CASES.

8.Ethics Exercises.

Introduction.

Case One: Laser Glitches.

Case Two: Freedom.

Case Three: Confidentiality.

Case Four: Buried Information.

Case Five: Whistleblowing.

Case Six, Government Ethics.

Appraisals, Cases 1-6.



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This work is protected by local and international copyright laws and is provided solely for the use of instructors in teaching their courses and assessing student learning. Dissemination or sale of any part of this work (including on the World Wide Web) will destroy the integrity of the work and is not permitted. The work and materials from this site should never be made available to students except by instructors using the accompanying text in their classes. All recipients of this work are expected to abide by these restrictions and to honor the intended pedagogical purposes and the needs of other instructors who rely on these materials.

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Pearson Higher Education offers special pricing when you choose to package your text with other student resources. If you're interested in creating a cost-saving package for your students, browse our available packages below, or contact your Pearson Higher Education representative to create your own package.

Package ISBN-10: 0321254112 | ISBN-13: 9780321254115
©2001 | Instock (Additional assembly time required)
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