Ethical Issues
Ms. Portman

This assignment asks you to explore the strength of your affiliation with some of the communities to which you belong.

Mark with a "1" the five communities with which you feel most closely affiliated; and mark with a "4" the five with which you feel least affiliated. Use "2" and "3" to record the gradations of your affiliation with the remaining communities. Feel free to add types of communities to the list which may be important to you.

Friends
Clubs/interests
Economic class
Family
Age
National heritage
Neighborhood
Team
Species (biological)
Generation
Town
Secondary school
Elementary school
Gender
Sexual Orientation
Religion
Place of Worship
Race/ Ethnicity
Hemisphere
Continent
Nation
State

Review the ranking you made on the Community Handout and choose two different communities to think about in terms of the following questions. Write down some notes and be prepared to discuss your responses in class.
1. How did you gain membership of that community? Was it given or did you choose it?
2. How is this community different from other communities?
3. What ethical obligations follow from your membership to your community?
4. Is your community "in trouble"?