Transformative Education

Introduction to Academic Writing

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introducing the academic writing course

Overview

Life has some hard choices. 

  • Be truthful or be tactful? 
  • Keep a promise to stay or leave for something better? 
  • Treat everyone equally or give more to those we care about? 

What’s the right choice? 

Let’s make an exercise of choosing. There are two characters: Keri and Milo. They advise people who have hard choices. Decide what Keri and Milo would say based on their beliefs.

In the process you will learn the concepts and principles of values-based decision-making. You will apply sets of values to resolve a wide rages of dilemmas. And you’ll have an opportunity to sort out which principles are of guiding value to you.

This is a course for making right choices. 

At least ‘right’ according to the principles of duty and utility. Keri is Kant. Milo is Mill. Immanuel Kant. John Stewart Mill. Two names associated with duty and utility. 

We are simplifying their ideas and adding a bit of rhythm and rhyme to keep it light. So Keri and Milo are the easy Kant and Mill and this course is a game-like introduction to the ethics of duty and utility. 

Keri is a big fan of reason and duty. 

In Keri’s book, people deserve respect because we’re able to reason. That means human life is worthy of respect. Animal life, less so. Since we are all worthy of respect, we are equal. Equal in worth and in what we are are free to do. When harm is done, punish the guilty out of respect for the victim.

Milo is more goal- and utility-oriented.

What gets you where you want to go is good and the ultimate goal is what’s best for everybody. Or at least produces the most happiness. We’re all in this together, including the animals, although some may need extra help. So reform the wrong-doer to be a better citizen. And don’t paddle backward!

Model

Let’s try it out on a wintry scenario.

It’s freezing cold outside the door. The snow is falling fast. The sky is dark and silvery, this snowfall’s going to last.

A wintry blanket was foretold, but maybe more I fear. My shovel will be cursed upon, before the driveway’s clear. 

The pups are curled on comfy beds. I’ve cocoa in my mug. Should I go out and shovel now? My sweetheart gives a shrug.

So we play with jigsaw puzzle, watching flakes swirl and blow. Song fills the house with melody, but outside is the show.

Suppose you must choose: 

  • go shovel the driveway 
  • stay warm inside while it snows 
  • hire a snow-removal service 
  • wait someone else to clear the driveway

What would Keri & Milo advise?

Keri: stay warm inside while it snows. This fits my rule to do it if everyone can do it without conflict. You don’t have a duty to shovel. It isn’t a public sidewalk, for instance. The choice is yours and staying inside sounds more pleasant.

Milo: I don’t always agree with Keri, but in this case I do. Stay in where it’s warm. This fits my rule to do what you please as long nobody’s harmed. Stay put. Everybody is snug and warm and would rather have you here. The clean-up can wait.

Now, what would you choose? ❄️

Materials

Print and trim Reference Cards on key concepts and principles ( alt-click or option-click to download ). These cards detail Keri’s and Milo’s rules, which are used in every lesson.

Lessons

  1. Approval
  2. Dignity
  3. Enterprise
  4. Life
  5. Liberty
  6. Purpose
  7. Safety

Goals

For the learner to have the opportunity to critically . . .

  • Identify the principles and concepts associated with Kant / duty and Mill / utility
  • Apply the principles to identify which option best applies in a variety of scenarios
  • Assess which course of action you would take in response any given scenario
  • Evolve your own set of principles into a consistent, coherent code of conduct

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