First, describe a time you used rhetoric or it was used on you. In your description, include details about the tactics or rhetorical devices (i.e., ethos, pathos, hyperbole) used.
Next, define logical argument in comparison to rhetoric. Is rhetoric always bad? Why, or why not? Give two examples to illustrate your thinking.
Your journal entry must be at least 400 words in length. No references or citations are necessary but must be in APA Style formatting if used.
First, describe a time you used rhetoric or it was used on you. In your description, include details about the tactics or rhetorical devices (i.e., ethos, pathos, hyperbole) used.
Next, define logical argument in comparison to rhetoric. Is rhetoric always bad? Why, or why not? Give two examples to illustrate your thinking.
Your journal entry must be at least 400 words in length. No references or citations are necessary but must be in APA Style formatting if used.
Scholarly Book Review For this assignment, you must cite at least five peer-reviewed articles, not books, in your review. Your scholarly book review
must be between 2,250 to 2,700 words APA Format. For this assignment, you need to do more than merely provide merely provide a synopsis of the book. Rather, provide a scholarly analysis of the book and explain what, if anything, it contributes to our understanding of serial murder.
Keep in mind, this is much more than merely a book review. You will be discussing terms
from the course and applying these to the book. There must be a sophisticated integration of
the material.
Book to be used for Review: Jensen, Bill. (2024). Killers Amidst Killers: Hunting Serial Killers Operating Under the Cloak of America’s Opioid Epidemic.
Choose 2 discussion questions from the list of prompts below and use content from the lectures and readings to answer them. Also, include evidence from at least two of the videos on the to support your answers.
b. Write one to two paragraphs in response to each discussion question that you select. Provide examples of research findings, legal cases, or other evidence to support your responses. Each paragraph should have at least 4 to 5 sentences.
VIDEOS:
Requirements: 4 Paragraphs total
Immigration is an important social factor in the study of crime. Demographically it influences population turnover in geographic area. The economics of immigration are well known. They are extremely poor, disproportionately so, and in search of work and jobs. Immigration also serves as a stereotype. Movement from abroad increases fears that newcomers are taking jobs, engaging in crime and increasing welfare rolls.
Throughout this course, my understanding of ethics within the law enforcement profession has deepened significantly. I entered this field with a foundational belief in the necessity of upholding the law and maintaining social responsibility. However, my perspectives on these concepts have become more enhanced as I explored the complexities of ethics, particularly in relation to leadership and authority.
In law enforcement, ethical behavior is not merely a guideline; it is a cornerstone that ensures public trust and integrity. I have learned that social responsibility encompasses not only the obligation to uphold the law but also the imperative to engage positively with the community. This is essential for community policing efforts, where building relationships with citizens fosters cooperation and trust. It’s about recognizing that our actions as officers resonate beyond the badgeimpacting the lives of those we serve. While my definition of social responsibility and ethics has largely remained intact, the course has expanded my awareness of additional ethical principles and frameworks that inform decision-making in law enforcement (Pollock, 2022). I now appreciate the importance of the various factors that can influence ethical behavior, including organizational culture and leadership styles.
Leadership plays a critical role in shaping the ethical landscape of any organization, especially in law enforcement. Leaders must embody ethical standards and set the tone for acceptable behavior. Their authority carries significant weight; it is essential that they not only model ethical conduct but also empower their officers to do the same. This can involve creating an environment that encourages open discussions about ethical dilemmas and supports officer well-being.
I have gained a greater understanding of the themes of authority, power, force, and discretion in criminal justice ethics. Authority in law enforcement is derived from the role officers play within the community, but it must be exercised responsibly. The power that comes with this authority can be used to protect and serve, or lead to abuse if not kept in check. This is where discretion comes into play officers often have to make quick decisions in the field, and ethical considerations must guide their choices. Ethical training can help officers navigate these complex situations, ensuring that they act in a manner that upholds both their oath and the community’s trust.
This class has not only reinforced my commitment to ethical behavior in law enforcement but also challenged me to think critically about the various factors that influence our actions. It is now clear that effective leadership and a strong ethical framework are vital in fostering a responsible law enforcement agency that prioritizes social responsibility and accountability.
Reference
Pollock, J. M. (2022). Ethical dilemmas and decisions in criminal justice (11th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Definition of Social Responsibility and Ethics
I define social responsibility as the obligation of individuals and organizations to act in ways that benefit society at large, promoting justice, fairness, and the well-being of all community members. Ethics, in this context, refer to the moral principles that guide individuals’ behavior, ensuring actions align with societal values and standards of right and wrong.
At the start of this course, my understanding of social responsibility and ethics was somewhat limited to personal morality and legal compliance. Now, I recognize that ethics in criminal justice extend beyond mere adherence to laws; they involve proactive moral judgment, accountability, and a commitment to uphold human dignity, even when faced with complex dilemmas. This course has deepened my appreciation for the nuanced nature of ethical decision-making within the justice system.
Themes of Authority, Power, Force, and Discretion
Authority, power, force, and discretion are central themes that influence ethical behavior in criminal justice. Authority grants officials the legitimacy to enforce laws, but it also imposes a responsibility to wield that power judiciously. Power, if misused, can lead to abuses or unjust practices, highlighting the importance of ethical restraint. Force is sometimes necessary to maintain order, but its application must be carefully balanced against the moral obligation to respect individuals’ rights. Discretion allows officers and officials to make judgment calls; however, without proper ethical guidance, discretion can lead to biased or unfair outcomes.
These themes underscore the importance of ethical standards to prevent abuse of power and ensure justice is administered fairly and responsibly. Ethical decision-making requires awareness of how authority and discretion are exercised and the potential impacts on individuals and communities.
Method to Resolve Ethical Dilemmas
One effective method I would employ to resolve ethical dilemmas in my professional work is the Ethical Decision-Making Model, which involves:
1. Identifying the ethical issue clearly.
2. Gathering all relevant facts and perspectives.
3. Considering the applicable laws, policies, and ethical standards.
4. Exploring possible courses of action and their consequences.
5. Consulting with colleagues or ethical committees when necessary.
6. Making a decision that aligns with moral principles and professional standards.
7. Reflecting on the outcome to learn and improve future ethical considerations.
This systematic approach encourages thoughtful deliberation, accountability, and consistency in resolving dilemmas ethically.
Question
How do you believe the themes of authority and discretion can be better regulated or supervised within the criminal justice system to minimize unethical behavior and promote social responsibility?
References
Boyd, R. (2017). Criminal justice ethics: Theory and practice. Routledge.
Reiman, J., & Leighton, P. (2019). The rich get richer and the poor get prison: Ideology, class, and social control. Routledge.
Write an initial post in which you:
Read your colleagues posts.
Respond to at least two of your colleagues by either answering their questions or adding to their explanation of authority, power, force, and discretion.
Return to this forum to follow up on responses.
Week 1
Understanding Social Responsibility and Ethical Decision-Making
Rebecca Eubank
Doctor of Philosophy
CRJS 8140: Social Responsibility and Ethics
Dr. Hardin
November 26, 2025
Understanding Social Responsibility and Ethical Decision-Making
Social responsibility is the duty of individuals not to be harmful to the society and the surrounding environment. Ethics is described as moral principles that determine an individual behavior and decision-making processes in both personal and professional life on a day-to-day basis. Besides individual benefits, social responsibility goes further and involves more than just the personal and the communities and other stakeholders concerned on a particular occasion. Values influence the priorities of people in situations involving multiple outcomes when moral thinking and careful consideration should be paid. The knowledge of these ideas is relevant to guiding people in difficult circumstances in which several competing interests and obligations should be struck with a balance.
One of the ethical dilemmas that I had a hard time with was learning that a colleague whom I worked with openly was falsifying petty expense reports at work. I had alternatives in reporting the behavior to the management, in the meantime, speaking with my colleague personally about his/her actions. I might also decide to simply fend the issue off and deny that I was present when any form of wrongdoing was committed. The alternative was approaching the human resources privately to know what to do rather than mentioning how a particular person was involved. Both options had their own implications on relations, working morality, and my personal moral responsibility in general.
I decided to talk to my colleague individually before blowing out of proportion and reporting to the management or authorities. This choice was arrived at as it weighed my upholding of organization integrity and sympathy to the situation of my colleague. This discretion also enabled me to empathize with them at the same time as fulfilling my obligation of leadership by organizational integrity and honesty (Ballangrud & Aas, 2022). My colleague had financial difficulties with the medical bills hence the reason, but not the excuse to act unethically. The discussion gave them the chance to make amends on their own will and eliminate the formal corrective actions that appeared to be disproportionate. This was a decision that had a direct implication on my fellow coworker, the relationship of trust in our team and my integrity, realistically. Furthermore, it touched on the financial accuracy of the organization, as well as my supervisor, who believed that the employees could uphold ethical standards.
There was a clear prohibition of the falsification of expenses within the company policy and accounting regulations and the situation became strategically and ethically problematic in all aspects. My employment agreement depicted obligations of reporting financial irregularities, and this posed a conflict between personal loyalty and professional responsibility. Nonetheless, there was no particular legislation that required instant reporting without any room to resolve the issue internally by means of dialogue and correction. Ethics standards of the organization were focused on accountability as well as on different levels of proportional responses to misconducts determined by the involved degrees of misconduct (Bilderback, 2024). My question remains whether the need to focus on personal relationship rather than on immediate reporting was against my professional obligations, though the net good may be positive. Was my decision an act of supererogatory kindness that went beyond required duties, or did it compromise ethics? Could there have been a better way to balance my imperfect duties to both my colleague and organization?
References
Ballangrud, B. O. B., & Aas, M. (2022). Ethical thinking and decision-making in the leadership of professional learning communities. Educational Research, 64(2), 176-190.
Bilderback, S. (2024). Ethical boundaries in employee relationships: addressing workplace affairs in the health-care industry. International Journal of Ethics and Systems.
You are now a Cold Case Detective and have been selected to look into the Scottsboro Case on behalf of Haywood Pattersons grandchildren. Abigail Patterson and her cousins are contemplating suing the state of Alabama for wrongful imprisonment and discrimination. The family believes that their now deceased relative did not receive a fair trial, and that the State of Alabama is liable for the time that Haywood spent in prison and as a fugitive from the State of Alabama.
Follow the link below to the PBS documentary and other related resource, and also read the attached pdf file for more information. You will report your findings to Abigail Patterson
PBS Video and Other Resources-
Famous American Trials-http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/scottsboro/scottsb.htm
Overview of Case-http://www.blackpast.org/?q=aah/scottsboro-boys-trial-and-defense-campaign-1931-1937
Scottsboro Book-http://www.amazon.com/Scottsboro-American-Dan-T-Carter/dp/0807104981
Scottsboro, Alabama City Website-http://www.cityofscottsboro.com/
Attached Files (PDF/DOCX): scottsboro.pdf
Note: Content extraction from these files is restricted, please review them manually.
you can provide any sources You feel necessary 3 preferred