UR team debates cases, applying lessons from the classroom
STUDENT EXPERIENCE
Students competing in the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges Applied Ethics Bowl at the University of Richmond this past Friday listened closely, reasoned carefully, and defended their conclusions with respect.
The 26th annual competition brought 16 teams from across the state together to debate complex cases and put their classroom learning into practice. This was the second consecutive year the University of Richmond hosted the event.
“Taking part in the experience helps students think clearly about real-world cases, and apply what they’ve learned in their ethics, philosophy, and other classes,” said philosophy professor Brannon McDaniel, who has advised UR’s Ethics Bowl club for 15 years. “They can start to see how patterns of reasoning apply to cases they're likely to face on the job or in other circumstances.”
Teams presented their analyses on cases related to the theme of “Ethics in Business” to panels of judges from business, legal, and education professions. Students also had opportunities to network with the community leaders.
“Today really is a signature event, because what happens here and the type of thinking and respect and leadership and ethical decision making is a hallmark of the VFIC schools and students,” said Locke Ogens, VFIC president.
The UR team included sophomore journalism major Madisyn Carter, senior global studies and history major Nick Lewis, sophomore psychology major Peyton Noland, and senior Russian studies major Maximilian Weiss. They won two out of four rounds in the hard-fought competition against teams from across the Commonwealth.
“They did great. They got stronger as they went along. It was very close, and I was pleased with that,” said McDaniel, noting that the team was made up of all first-year participants.
Each side presented their thoughts on the path forward for a case, took turns asking questions of the other team, and delivered a final argument. The moderator allowed them two minutes to collaborate before each step.
“Professor McDaniel prepared us well for what it was going to look like when we came here, but it’s different being in the room with just your team and coach to having an audience and another team,” said Carter. “It was really exciting.”
Weiss appreciated the intellectual stimulation of the Ethics Bowl.
“I think the highlight of the day for me was being able to find myself in a context where I can actually quote the great Joseph de Maistre on his notes on the French Revolution in a way that actually was relevant to the discussion,” he said.
“Throughout the day, I heard from judges and moderators how impressed they were with the quality of presentations from students, and how well they were working together as teams,” said Dara Gocheski, chief of staff to the President. “I also heard how grateful they were to the University of Richmond for hosting the event for the second year in a row.”
Last year, the UR student team won the Applied Ethics Bowl championship, taking home the Batten Trophy. This year, the honor went to Bridgewater College.