Film Abstract Instructions and Sample

Questions and points to consider (asterisk indicates required questions/items):

Instructions: View 5 films – one abstract for each film; upload one document to “assignments” in Canvas by the due date noted in syllabus.

  • Does an ethical problem(s) exist? How do you know? (must be included for each film)
  • What responsibility does the individual(s) have to respond to this ethical problem? (must be included for each film)
  • State the ethical problem clearly; how do we separate the ethical problem from other non-ethical components? They are often entangled in real-life in various ways, from company policies to types of relationships (marriage, friendship, co-worker, boss, etc.) in which you are involved, your role in an organization, etc. (must be included for each film)
  • How do we begin to resolve the ethical issues? You need to be able to justify your choices; explain why they work or do not work. (can include this for each film – or a version of this…)
  • What are the choices you can make – are you free to choose to act or not to act? To what/to whom are your responsibilities? (can include this for each film – or a version of this…)
  • What are the primary duties and/or obligations? (can include this for each film – or a version of this…)
    • Consider: Are you willing to pursue the “good” in order to conform to the good? (…such as the values of an organization such as your employer) For example: courage is the willingness to make your behavior conform to the good, even with it is dangerous to do so.
      • “Good” needs to be defined.
  • What is/are the lesson(s) to be learned from this film? (must be included for each film)