http://brambless.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] brambless.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2005-10-14 09:09 pm
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Ethics class, 8-10am Friday morning

Tara leans against her desk, smiling as she watches the students come in. Some of the faces she recognises, and gives a nod. The room is filled with soft, comfortable chairs, which are positioned in a circle. Each chair has a wooden insert in one arm, to lean on while writing, and each wooden insert has a blank piece of paper on it.

When everyone has taken their seats, Tara begins.

"The first rule of ethics class is that you do not talk about things that happen inside of ethics class. The second rule of ethics class is that you do not talk about things that happen inside of ethics class. Allow me to clarify: you may discuss your revelations, challenge your friends and mock the teacher all you like. But if anything said inside this class is ever used against another member of it, it will mean instant detention. You will, however, have the opportunity to explain yourself before I drag you before Principal Connor. This class cannot function if people are afraid to speak."

She looks around the classroom, stopping briefly on each face. "This school is very unusual. Yes, obviously the squid is a bit odd, but what's more interesting to me is that there are individuals sitting in this room" she nods to Angelus, "who identify themselves as evil. That, ladies and gentlemen, is what the first section of the course will be discussing. Evil, good, and what makes the difference between the two. Your evil classmates have perspectives you need to think about and consider. Don't ignore them in a mistaken belief that they have no ethics."

"Each class runs for two hours. Ordinarily this will be broken up into two sections: discussion and debate - today, however, there will be two discussion sections instead. The majority of your assessment will come through your involvement in class discussions. Every student is expected to participate every week. If you are painfully shy, write your thoughts down and hand them in to me. If I don't know what you're thinking, you don't get credit for it. After this week a formal debate will be held once a week. For those of you unfamiliar with debating, this means two teams of three students taking opposing sides on an issue determined by me. You will each be expected to debate three times during the term, with a week's notice to prepare for each one. At the end of semester a practical exam will be held. This will assess not what you choose to do, but how accurately you have come to an understanding of your own ethical code. I expect you to be honest with yourselves.

Friday and Monday classes are identical. Please feel free to switch between them if you have commitments that interfere with your regular attendance."

"I will want two teacher's assistants for this course, whose function it is to prompt discussion and challenge your thinking. These students will be expected to attend both Monday and Friday classes. Today's discussion will serve as your audition. If you are interested, please say so on your paper, or see me after class."

She smiles. "Alright, enough from me. Here's your first challenge: I want you to identify something you have done in the course of your life that another person might consider to be evil. I want you to explain to me why you did it, and whether you would make the same choices again if placed into a similar situation. You do not have to share this with your fellow students. Throw ideas around, talk about what different people consider evil, but write your final answers down on your piece of paper."

(Second challenge will be posted in the comments below. Discussion will be closed Thursday next week, for those who need to slowplay.)
sensethevisions: (Default)

Re: Second Hour

[personal profile] sensethevisions 2005-10-14 01:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Phoebe thinks about this for a long moment.

"It would take a lot to get me to kill someone. I don't know if I could kill in my own defense...but I certainly would to protect those I love."
sensethevisions: (Default)

Re: Second Hour

[personal profile] sensethevisions 2005-10-14 01:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Phoebe chewed on her bottom lip. "Is it a kill or be killed moment for me, or is it directed at one of my sisters?"
sensethevisions: (Default)

Re: Second Hour

[personal profile] sensethevisions 2005-10-14 01:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Phoebe looks Tara in the eye. "If he's about to kill one of my sisters? I'd put myself directly in the line of fire. Focusing his aggression on me gives my sister the chance to escape and get help, and maybe gives me a chance to live." She swallowed. "However, even if I knew they'd never get help to me in time, I would do it..." she looks steadily at Paige. "For ALL of my sisters."

Re: Second Hour

[identity profile] the4thsister.livejournal.com 2005-10-14 02:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Paige looks at Phoebe while says this and nods, "I'd do the same, without a seconhd a thought."
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Re: Second Hour

[personal profile] sensethevisions 2005-10-14 02:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Phoebe smiles. "I know you would. We're family." She grins. "I have this absurd image of us fighting over who gets to be in the path of the bullet and who goes to safety."

Re: Second Hour

[identity profile] the4thsister.livejournal.com 2005-10-14 02:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Paige laughs, "Guess we could just line up? I mean I have the whole orbing thing, but I won't just leave you or Piper if there was trouble."

Re: Second Hour

[identity profile] notstakedyet.livejournal.com 2005-10-14 06:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Angelus listens to the conversation with bemusement. He can't help but add, "And this is why good guys die and evil ones take over the world."

Re: Second Hour

[identity profile] valentine-tart.livejournal.com 2005-10-14 08:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Since last night's conversation with Bel, Beka's been keeping an eye, and an ear on Phoebe. She overhears Angelus, and can't help but weigh in with: "Not all of the good guys wear lily-white. Black leather hides bloodstains."

Re: Second Hour

[identity profile] notstakedyet.livejournal.com 2005-10-14 11:13 pm (UTC)(link)
"It's also very slimming," Angelus agreed.

Re: Second Hour

[identity profile] valentine-tart.livejournal.com 2005-10-14 11:29 pm (UTC)(link)
"Never goes out of style, either."
sensethevisions: (Default)

Re: Second Hour

[personal profile] sensethevisions 2005-10-14 10:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Phoebe looks at him. "I'd kill or I'd die for the ones I love."

Re: Second Hour

[identity profile] notstakedyet.livejournal.com 2005-10-14 11:15 pm (UTC)(link)
"Me too," Angelus said. "No argument there. I'm just saying that all too often the so-called good guys busy themselves with saving their nearest and dearest while the rest of the world goes up in flames. And hey - " he shrugged " - nothing wrong with saving your nearest and dearest. I just don't think it earns anybody the Nobel Peace Prize is all."