ETHICAL ISSUES AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
We learned to decide for ourselves what is right about our community and our world and what is wrong. We learned what we can do to change the things we think needs changing. Finally, we had the chance to do just that: Change the world. Throughout the Winter Term, we expanded this idea as the class discussed how communities fall apart, what parts of community are essential, and if communities truly are a benefit to society or not. It gave me a stronger sense of my place within the community, and what I both give and receive as a member of this society
As a class we participated in several thesis based debates regarding the literature we were studying as it related to our theme of community building. We were given a multi-sided question, with the assignment of defending both sides. Upon arrival in class on the day of the debates, we received our official position and presented it to for rebuttal and defense. This media helped me open up my own ways of thinking as I explored how either side of an argument could be true, and then decide the implications of both on society.
This also was of great assistance as we entered the winter term and participated in many more group discussions. These were less structured, but more informative in that instead of having two sides to defend, each person had their own opinion, and a personal drive to defend that stance. I thought these were wonderful in deciding how to best contribute to the community, decide who has done their part correctly in the past, and what we can learn from that history to positively influence the future.
As means of implementing the ideas learned here in class, I chose a way in which I could proactively participate in the community. It is a project in which the student was allowed to choose the issue, the organization, and the manner that he could make a difference. It was a culmination of several aspects of the University Studies program. We researched the issues and problems surrounding them, as well as their impact on society. We also looked into what has been done in the past to address the issue, and what programs are being implemented currently, with or without success. This information is provided in the presentation essay of the project, along with my action plan as it relates to the institution and community.
In a collaborative class project, we assisted in Our United Villages' assessment of the Boise community in east Portland. It was a key element to balance the pursuance of information and the respect for people living in the community. In this capacity, it was not our place to render judgment as to the status or effective building of the community, and for this we were required to remain objective. In our groups tabulation of the demographics existent in the neighborhood, we tried to present the evolution of the community as a comparison of census reports from 1990 and 2000. Several theories are presented as to the effects of such fluctuations in population base, however no definitive action is suggested. This is up to the community to decide their priorities and act upon them.