Personal Ethics Statement for Public Sector Ethics Course Reflection

This assignment requires the student to compose a personal ethics statement within the context of a public sector ethics course. The student must select five value-laden concepts (e.g., respect, integrity) and discuss each in a substantive paragraph, supported by in-text citations from course readings. The student then crafts a 2-5 sentence personal statement incorporating all five chosen concepts. The assignment emphasizes clear communication, application of course material, and understanding of ethical obligations in the public sector. The student is instructed to use the course readings and include a reference list. This assignment aims to help the student understand the unique ethical obligations, responsibilities, culture, and values associated with service in the public sector. The assignment is assessed based on concept selection, text support, length of discussion and personal statement, and overall quality of writing and reflection.

Personal Ethics Statement
Introduction
At several points throughout the course you will compose an entry in a Reflection Journal. These
assignments provide you an opportunity to analyze course readings in a way that is meaningful to your
personal academic journey. Your submissions will only be seen by you and the instructor. Since learning
about ethics is, to a large degree, a personal experience, the reflection journal is an appropriate tool to
support the learning objectives of this course.
Upon successful completion of this assignment you will be able to:
1. Develop clearly written communication through analyzing course readings.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the unique ethical obligations, responsibilities, culture,
and values associated with service in the public sector.
Resources
 Ebook: The ethics primer for public administrators in government and nonprofit organizations
Instructions
1. Based on the course material and discussions to date, think about your own conclusions
regarding ethics. In your Journal, you will compose a unique, personal statement of what ethics
means for you.
2. Guidelines:
a. Select five (5) value-laden one-word concepts. Examples include concepts such as
respect, competence, reliability, integrity, honesty, loyalty, accountability, self-restraint,
justice, equity, fairness, courage, humility, caring, duty, honor, confidentiality, and
common good. These are suggestions only. You are encouraged to use terms not on
this list. Discuss each concept in light of our readings. Demonstrate that your analysis is
informed by course readings by referencing them and using in-text references as
appropriate throughout your submission. Compose one substantive and insightful
paragraph with in-text citations from course readings for each concept.
b. Compose your personal statement of what ethical leadership in the public sector means
for you. This should consist of 2-5 sentences. Be sure to include all of the five (5) value-
laden concepts you chose. Show these in BOLD text.
3. Include a reference list at the end of the journal entry for all sources cited in the submission.
4. Post your entry using the Journal tool on the course toolbar by the end of the workshop.
Assessment Criteria
Criteria 25-30 Points 19-24 Points 13-18 Points 0-13 Points
Overall Content Follows all
instructions.
Writing is
Follows most of the
instructions.
Writing is generally
Follows some of the
instructions.
Writing fails to
Follows few or none
of the requirements
of the assignment.

professional, clear,
logical, and concise.
Writing
demonstrates a solid
understanding of
course readings, as
evidenced by in-text
citations.
Displays critical
thinking and
analytical skills.
Content is effectively
organized.
clear, logical, and
concise.
Writing
demonstrates a
basic understanding
of course readings,
as evidenced by in-
text citations.
Displays some
critical thinking and
analytical skills.
demonstrate a solid
understanding of
course readings, as
evidenced by a lack
of in-text citations.
Submission includes
too much or not
enough information
to adequately
address the
assignment
instructions.
Writing is often
unclear and/or
difficult to follow.
Does not clearly
demonstrate critical
thinking and
analytical skills.
Writing fails to
demonstrate a solid
understanding of
course readings, as
evidenced by the
absence of or a lack
of in-text citations.
Writing is generally
difficult to follow
and/or unclear.
Provides weak or no
evidence of critical
analysis.
Content is not
effectively
organized.
Criteria 11-20 Points 0-10 Points
Selection of
Concepts
All five (5) concepts are included and are
well-chosen. They are appropriate and
applicable to public sector ethics.
All five (5) concepts are not included or
some are questionable because they are
inappropriate and/or do not clearly relate
to public sector ethics.
Criteria 8-10 Points 5-7 Points 3-4 Points 0-2 Points
Personal Statement
Personal statement
is well-organized,
professional,
appropriate, and
clearly written.
Personal statement
is included and
acceptable, but
could be improved in
terms of structure,
organization,
professionalism,
appropriateness,
and/or clarity.
Personal statement
is missing or lacking
in terms of structure,
organization,
professionalism,
appropriateness,
and/or clarity.
Personal statement
is missing or
severely lacking in
terms of structure,
organization,
professionalism,
appropriateness,
and/or clarity.
Criteria 10-15 Points 0-9 Points
Text Support
Appropriate, objective, and relevant text
support is evidenced by in-text citations
throughout submission.
Text support is weak or missing.
Inappropriate sources are used that are
not acceptable in graduate work.
Criteria 6-10 Points 0-5 Points
Length Discussion: Each of the five (5) concepts
presented is discussed in one (1)
substantive and insightful paragraph
supported by in-text citations.
Personal Statement: Personal statement
consists of 2-5 sentences and includes all
five (5) concepts.
The submission fails in one or both
areas:
 Discussion: Each of the five (5)
concepts presented is discussed
in one (1) substantive and
insightful paragraph supported by

in-text citations.
 Personal Statement: Personal
statement consists of 2-5
sentences and includes all five (5)
concepts.
Criteria 8-10 Points 5-7 Points 3-4 Points 0-2 Points
Grammar and
Mechanics
No errors or only
very minor errors
noted in mechanics,
usage, grammar, or
spelling.
All standards of
Academic Writing
are followed.
Required sections of
paper are clearly
written, logical, and
reasonable.
Only minor errors in
mechanics, usage,
grammar or spelling
were noted.
Most standards of
Academic Writing
are followed.
Most required
elements of the
assignment are met.
Weaknesses noted
in clarity, logic,
grammar,
organization,
continuity and/or
reason.
Modest errors in
mechanics, usage,
grammar or spelling
were noted.
Only some required
elements of the
assignment are met.
Some standards of
Academic Writing
are followed.
Significant
weaknesses noted in
clarity, logic,
grammar,
organization,
continuity and/or
reason.
Significant errors in
mechanics, usage,
grammar or spelling.
Few required
elements of the
assignment are met.
Few standards of
Academic Writing
are followed.
Paper sections do
not meet the
standards of
graduate-level
writing.
Disorderliness of
paper makes it
difficult to read.
Criteria 5 Points 4 Points 3 Points 0-2 Points
APA Format
Correct use of APA
formatting.
In-text citations and
references correctly
used.
Facts are either in
the writer’s words or
else are correctly
cited.
Only minor APA
formatting noted.
In-text citations and
references generally
used correctly.
Facts are either in
the writer’s words or
else are correctly
cited.
APA format is
inconsistent and
inadequate.
In-text citations are
severely lacking or
missing
Reference page is
inconsistent with
APA format.
APA formatting is
not used or
significant APA
formatting issues
were noted.
Reference page is
missing.
In-text citations are