Team Project Directions

This course includes a team project(s) to help you acquire the skills to understand how to create and operate effectively within a high performance team. Functioning effectively in a high performance team environment is an essential skill for success in the workforce and business world.

Objectives:

1). Learn to write collaboratively.

2). Learn to evaluate another’s work.

3). Learn to synthesize work into a single perspective.

Procedure:

The instructor will create teams of 4-6 people and a case will be assigned for this team project.  The team is responsible for further dividing into two sub-groups, A and B. Sub-group A will argue the Utilitarian perspective; the Sub-group B will argue the Kantian/Deontological perspective for the assigned case on a business issue.  

Step 1: Each sub-group writes a one to two page position paper accomplishing the following:

• identify the ethical issue(s) contained in this case;

• discuss how a utilitarian (sub group A) or a deontologist (sub group B) would view the ethical problem(s);

• discuss the impact on stakeholders of the situation;

• offer a viable solution a utilitarian (A) or a deontologist (B) might recommend for dealing with the dilemma; and

• describe the expected outcome of the solution and its impact on stakeholders.

• Both position papers are submitted to the instructor to ensure the teams are on track and to compare against the final submission.

• Complete the first Individual Project Reflection at the conclusion of Step 1 (date stipulated in Canvas).

Step 2: Sub-groups switch position papers and critically evaluate the validity of the arguments presented by the other sub-group.

• Each sub-group completes a one-page evaluation of the other sub-group's position paper. This one-page evaluation should clearly identify the strengths and weaknesses of the points made in the other sub-group’s position paper. 

• Feedback to team members should conform to the expectations of civility and mutual respect that exist for this course as a whole. Offer your suggestions in a supportive manner that is aimed at assisting your colleagues’ learning, never to demean their efforts.

• Complete the second individual project reflection at the conclusion of Step 2 (date stipulated in Canvas).

*You may use the regular case analysis rubric to aid in your evaluations.

Step 3: Position papers and evaluation papers are returned to the original sub-groups for review. Each sub-group reviews the critical evaluation of their position paper and makes any adjustments.

Step 4: The entire group collaborates to write a one to two-page synthesis paper, an overview of the pros and cons of each perspective, along with an overall solution to the dilemma.

• You will consider both sub-groups’ perspectives and create a single essay of one to two pages with an overall solution to the dilemma.

• One person submits the complete assignment for the team (see below).

• Complete the final individual Project Reflection at the conclusion of Step 4 (date stipulated in Canvas).

Submission details:

By the due date for the project, one person will submit the group’s two position papers, two evaluations and the final synthesized solution saved as a single Word document containing all 5 parts. 

• The entire paper will be graded on both the application of the ethical positions AND the clarity of writing, thus, the entire paper should be proofed and corrected for grammatical errors prior to submission. Identify the group members working on each element of the submission. All submissions should formatted using MLA and submitted on Canvas. 

This project is best completed over a period of four weeks. Consider dedicating 7 days for Step 1, another 7 days for Step 2, 4 days for Step 3 and 10 days for Step 4. Allow enough time to complete the entire project on time! 

Formatting tips:

• Use MLA formatting, including:

• No cover page (but do adhere to MLA formatting for page one)

• Use underlined titles for each separate component, i.e., Utilitarian Position, Deontological Position, Evaluation of Utilitarian Paper, Evaluation of Deontological Paper, Synthesis.

• Font must be 12-point, Times New Roman, Cambria or Calibri.

• Lines must be double-spaced

• The spacing between paragraphs should be the same as between lines – a double line space. 

• Indent to denote the beginning of new paragraphs

• Top/bottom margins may be no greater than 1”

• Left/right margins may be no greater than 1"