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My Coat of Arms Adapted from A. Tiatorio, Freedom and Equality: The Human Ethical Enigma Balancing freedom with group responsibility is a never-ending human ethical challenge. All humans have both self-regarding and other-regarding ethical urges and it is important for students to recognize this within themselves and in others. The following “Coat of Arms” strategy can be used to start a discussion of this dual human ethical nature. You will need poster board and markers for students to draw a conception of their family coat of arms. Allow a few minutes from several classes to complete the assignment after which each student will present and explain his or her Coat of Arms. Try to help the class analyze if the presenter is more inclined toward communalism or individualism in his or her basic ethical makeup. This will come through clearly in the way students answer the questions in the assignment. At the end present your own Coat of Arms and let the students analyze you. This strategy works well as a change of pace activity and can help solidify the class as a cooperative group and greatly improve the discussion of sensitive issues.
Student Handout: My Coat of Arms
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