fandomhigh | Philosophy classroom: Ethics class #3, Monday, 2-4pm

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ethics

Philosophy classroom: Ethics class #3, Monday, 2-4pm

Two boxes sit on Tara's desk. One is filled with homemade cookies, with a small placard labelled 'To all those who attempted the assignment - help yourselves!'. The other is a bin to return the Master/slave badges at the end of the class.

Tara smiles as the students settle down.

"I told you last week that part of the point of this assignment was to separate out the issues of slavery and abuse. There are many, many issues with slavery, even without abusive elements attached, and I want to tell you how proud I am of all of you for attempting the assignment - especially those of you who were uncomfortable with it. I have a lot I want to say, but I'm going to bite my tongue and let you all speak, first. Tell me about your experiences with the assignment - what was challenging for you? What was easier than you thought it would be? Do you have any insights you would like to share?"

[ooc: If you would provide linkage to any RPed assignment bits and pieces, I would be forever grateful when it comes time for grading. Also, those of you who made icons? I adore you, and worship your icon-fu.]

"I would not ask anything of you that I am unwilling to do myself - including act as a slave. Anyone who completed the assignment is eligible to 'win' me as a slave, under the same terms of the assignment as you performed. I realise many of you are probably glad that this is over, but if you are interested, or want revenge, please put your name down on the sheet provided. I will post this as a voting list, and the involved parties will decide as a class who is to Master me, and what is to be done with me."

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Any details or conversations before class. Help yourself to the cookies.

Discussing the assignment, as above.

"Okay, this is all good stuff. Now let's take it back to a discussion topic.

Much of the issues arising about slavery are bound up in the violation of another's free will. In parts of Africa, the word for slave is the same as the word for child - as many of you may have found, the basic responsibilities for a Master are not unlike those of a parent, and the power dynamic allows equal opportunity for abuse, though thankfully one that is seized upon much less often.

So today I'd like you to think about the 'helpless' - those people in society, including children and the mentally disabled, who are unable to care for themselves. Obviously, it is someone's responsibility to care for them. What are they expected to do for themselves, or contribute to society? At what age or level of competence are they allowed to have sex, drive a car, raise a family? Does denying the helpless the right to choose any of these things for themselves have any relation to slavery?"

50% of your partner's mark comes from your evaluation of them. Please take a moment to explain how you think they did.

Put your name down here if you want ~~revenge on Tara~~ to give Tara the experience of slavery.

Should you be in need of it.

Snark, feedback and commentary welcome.

Evelyn shows up and sits in one of the chairs, looking around the room with interest.

Not fond of sweets, Shane has opted to pass on the cookie, but her Ethics Master badge sits on the desk in front of her. She had honestly thought that she would be glad to be rid of the thing by the time the next class came, but... she had been given a great deal to think about.

"Chloe was... incredible. (http://www.livejournal.com/community/fandomtownies/251202.html) Amazing. I totally couldn't have gotten through the assignment without her. (http://www.livejournal.com/community/fandomtownies/252206.html?thread=10045486#t10045486) She -- she was so ... just so graceful (http://www.livejournal.com/community/fandomtownies/252206.html?thread=10075182#t10075182) and together (http://www.livejournal.com/community/fandomtownies/256334.html?thread=10225998#t10225998) and ... she made the entire assignment so much easier, just being who she is. She made me want to work harder, to take care of her in the best way I could."

Shane's smile is small and bashful but genuine. "I guess it kinda helps that she and I knew each other a little bit already, but... even if I hadn't, I think things probably would have gone the same way... because of her. She was just so incredible. I guess I just hope that I was even half as good as a Master as she was as my partner. Chloe's a very special person and ... I'm really lucky to have her as my friend and was just crazy-wicked lucky to have been assigned to her as her partner."

Angela didn't do the assignment, so she doesn't take a cookie.

She couldn't eat, anyhow.

Her wings are not the most comfortable thing to sit in a desk chair while wearing.

Tara quirks an eyebrow at Angela's wings, and smothers a grin. "Still Halloween," she observes quietly.

[ooc: which means I get to use my own spiffy Halloween icon again. Because it's so perdy.]

Angela manages a weak smile. "I kind of didn't make it to the ball last night, so no one saw my costume, and ... I feel like being someone else for the day, you know?"

[OOC: It is! Excellent manip.]

"It's a wonderful costume," Tara smiles back, encouragingly. She bites her lip, and adds "'come as you aren't'" quietly. "So, angel-girl, who do you want to be today?"

Angela blushes. "I guess ... I like the idea of being completely good and innocent but extremely powerful at the same time, you know? I know there's a bunch of corny angel stuff, but the idea itself doesn't seem corny." Angela realizes how serious her answer sounds and switches her tone, embarassed. "Or maybe I just wanted to walk around with wings and long hair for a day."

*Lindsey walks up to Tara, looking slightly nervous.*

Ma'am? I think my partner may have dropped the class and nobody told me. I never saw her last week or heard from her. I probably should've mentioned that earlier...sorry. I'd be happy to do something else as a make-up assignment or whatever. What would like me to do?

Tara's eyes are soft as she replies, "It's not corny, Angela. Being the light without the shadow..." she smiles a little, closing her eyes for a moment. "What a lovely thing to be, even for a day."

Tara nods. "I left a message (http://www.livejournal.com/users/wannabelawyer/570.html?thread=13370#t13370) on your voicemail, Lindsey, but when I didn't hear back from you I figured I had the wrong number. You can either do a research project on slavery, or I can give you an assignment for a topic later in the semester. Which would you prefer?"

I must've missed the message. I apologize for that.
If it's alright, I'd like to do something later on in the semester.

[ooc:Didn't get a comment notification from that and missed it. Note to self: check voicemail post a little more often.]

"That's fine, Lindsey." Tara grins, a little mischieviously. "I'll spring something on you as appropriate."

[ooc: 'Sokay. Never even occured to me to check mine, I just rely on the comment notification. And I'm sure you're not heartbroken about missing out on the M/s assignment. *grin*]

"You look beautiful, Angela," Shane says, her tone both appreciative and reassuring as she smiles. She pulls her oft-chewed pen from her pocket and taps it idly on the desktop as she slouches in her seat .

Right. Sounds like a plan then. Thank you.

[ooc: I'll never get over the disappointment. Or not. ;)]

After class, Shane stares down at the sheet of paper for several long beats, her hands stuffed into the back pockets of her jeans, lips twisted into a pensive frown. Hesitating for a few moments more, she pulls her hands out of her pockets and reaches up into the inside breast pocket of her jacket, pulling out her pen.

Bending over the desk, she writes down her name. She doesn't want revenge and she'd do anything to keep anyone else from exacting any on Tara, even if it means another uncomfortable week of her acting as a Master.

Putting the cap back on her pen, Shane fits the pen into the corner of her mouth, chewing on the cap rather purposefully as she stares at her name written on the page, a perturbed crease between her brows. Heaving a noiseless sigh, she stuffs her hands back into her pockets and goes to wait for Tara so that she can be escorted off-campus again.

"Thank you," Angela says to both Tara and Shane.

Angelus comes in dressed per his usual. He gives Tara a wink when he sees her. "Nice costume, teach."

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Philosophy classroom: Ethics class #3, Monday, 2-4pm

Before class starts

First Hour

Second Hour

Partner Evaluation

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Emo Closet

OOC

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