Reflection Paper 3
You will select a social enterprise operating outside of the U.S. — a social entrepreneuring firm, a public service nonprofit, or an NGO (non-governmental organization). The work of your selected entity depends on some technology in a substantive way, [It is okay if the entity is headquartered in the U.S., just so long as its substantive work is outside of the U.S.]
Your selected entity benefits a discernible population, or, a social group. In other words, your selected entity will not simply offer a good product into a general market … since in this case the consumers may bear no relation to one another beyond having also bought the product. In order to examine the values infrastructure that connects the social enterprise to those benefiting, and to comment on the ethical qualities, the entity that is benefited needs to be a discernible social group.
For example, the NGO Resolve (Resolve.ngo) develops and installs cameras with onboard AI technology (TrailGuard AI) to protect critical animal populations in national preserves — detecting and aiding in the capture and prosecution of poachers. This enhances the ecosystem and benefits communities near the preserves. In addition, by hardening and lowering the cost of its technology, Resolve is helping many such preserves (and various species) and so communities. Protecting these threatened species, and their ecosystems, is a service to the nations involved — and one could argue, to the world as a whole.
In general you might examine a social enterprise that benefits: a kind of community; a collection of communities in a region; everyone who is somehow connected (through interest, livelihood, proximity) to an ecosystem; or perhaps a population that suffers some hardship and that is aware of itself (e.g., the very poor in a region who lack medical care).
PROMPT Select a social entrepreneuring enterprise, public service nonprofit, or NGO, whose work depends on technology in a substantive way. They may have invented the technology, or just adapted an existing technology for the given purpose.
[1] Describe the overall context: your selected benefiting entity, the entity that receives the benefit (a discernible population, or actors in a durable social formation), and any other important participants.
[2] Describe the technology – primary assumptions (e.g., conception of ‘the problem’) and functionality. Also describe how it is deployed into practice – how it enters into relevant technosocial routines. Document any changes in the social order for the benefited entity – new or altered power, interests, authority, etc. by some benefiting from the technology.
[3] Analyze the composite values infrastructure. Specifically, describe primary values of the benefiting entity, values of the entity receiving the aid/benefits, and how the two sets of values fit with one another. This may be conceptual in the sense that we say some actors have ‘shared values,’ or it may be about a vision for the future, or about some new conditions and ways of practicing and being in those new conditions.
[4] The benefiting entity is intervening on the conditions of the benefited entity – they are making a change, or making a change possible, for (and with!) the benefited entity. This intervention is about changing the conditions and practices of the benefited entity, and in some manner it depends on technology. Describe values that guide the intervention –values that shape technology invention or selection/adaptation, or, values that shape how technology is deployed into practice. I.e., why this technology, in this way and at this time, rather than another technology, another way, another time, or no intervention at all?
[5] Evaluate the intervention ethically. First, for the change that is introduced, contrast the benefited entity’s conditions pre-intervention versus post-intervention. Then show how at least one of the 12 ethical qualities (Vallor’s “technomoral virtues”) is central to the change. You are making an argument that the benefit delivered by the intervention is an exhibit of the selected virtue and its role in creating flourishing. Perhaps an anti-flourishing condition is removed by the intervention, or perhaps the intervention makes a kind of flourishing possible, and you can identify this change with one or more virtues.
[6] Describe how these ideas may inform your career — e.g., the work you choose to do, who you work with, how you will work and standards you will strive for, what you won’t do, or whatever seems striking to you. Show for your future career as you imagine it the role of at least one of: value-laden technology, values infrastructures and value alignment, ethics as qualities of virtue that (if made part of practice) promote flourishing social forms.
GRADING
750 words, at least 2 references (may include lectures; if so cite the recording as a web link type of reference).
Write an essay that addresses the questions above. When you respond to these questions, you should be specific and cite specific details from the readings, class lectures, and your own research. You may provide references from your own research, but only in addition to material provided by the course. Also, you MUST make sure to cite your sources in your response and include a reference list at the end of your essay. Citations must be from reputable sources. Sites like Wikipedia, about.com, etc. are NOT considered acceptable sources, but citing class lectures is acceptable.
Higher credit will be given for responses that show evidence of a systematic and comprehensive understanding of the topics involved.
Correct use of English is a fundamental requirement for your papers to be graded. If errors in English make it difficult for a grader to understand your sentences, or excessively slow down the grader to mark your technical errors, your paper will be returned to you for further work on its English, and your grade for the paper will be deferred until it is resubmitted with corrected English. If your assignment is returned for an excessive number of grammatical errors, you will be allowed to rewrite and resubmit it within two weeks of the original return date. If not resubmitted by the date set by your instructor, you will receive a zero (0) for the writing assignment.
USE OF AI You may not incorporate any AI-generated content, period.
You may not submit the assignment prompt and, say, ask for topics or an outline – your own thinking must be the necessary starting point ... not “hey Claude, what do you think?” :)
Asking to fix your grammar, make the work more professional, or allowing sentence auto-completes will likely led to the introduction of content – so use the Writing Center instead
You may use AI as a thought partner = a way of helping you become reflective about and critical about YOUR understanding … a thought partner is the opposite of an ‘answer machine’
Legitimate use: treat the AI as a general tutor, e.g., “what are the key commitments of a virtue-based theory of ethics?” or “explain the virtue of magnanimity”
See the syllabus for additional guidance.
FORMATTING Standard font. MLA, APA, or any other format is acceptable provided that it is consistent through the entire paper. Please, no cover sheets. Upload in .pdf format.
Rubric
Reflection Paper 3
AND PART 2 WRITE WHAT YOU LEARNED IN THIS CLASS IN ORDER TO DO IT YOU HAVE TO GO OVER THE SLIDES PLS
then write a brief and careful reflection: a paragraph or two addressing what you have learned and that you will take with you. If you wish, I would also value thoughts on what you found interesting or important, and, thoughts on what I might do differently/better
| Criteria | Ratings | Pts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeActors/Participantsdescribe the social entrepreneuring or NGO (creator of technology), the population that receives the benefit, and any other important participants (e.g., government) |
| 15 pts | |||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeTechnology and UptakeTechnology is described, along with its introduction into practice (routines that change), and noting any change in how recipient actors relate to one another (e.g., power) |
| 15 pts | |||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeValues Infrastructuresdescribe values of the innovators, the intended users, and the relationship/value infrastructure -- the ways the primary party's values are well-fitting, or any gaps or clashes between the values of the principals |
| 15 pts | |||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeHow is value "built in" to the technologyDiscuss any ways that the technology itself is a carrier of designer values -- in the problem selected, or in specifics of use (allowed or disallowed) that could have been different, and so reflect innovator choices based on innovator values |
| 15 pts | |||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeEthical AnalysisContrast the recipient (benefited) population's state or conditions pre- versus post-uptake of the technology, and show that at least one of the technomoral virtues is manifest in the change |
| 15 pts | |||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeImplications for CareerThoughts on how the ideas of values infrastructures, value as embodied in technology, and ethical technology creation and uptake may inform one's career |
| 15 pts | |||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeMechanicsIntroduction and conclusion, quality of grammar, use of quotation/citation/references, MLA formatting, sufficient words |
| 10 pts | |||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeGE V ALO4Appraise how the study of creative works of human expression from outside the United States shapes one’s own understanding of cultural experiences and practices. threshold: 3.0 pts |
| -- | |||||
Total Points: 100 |