Lifeboat Dilemma
roblem Details to be Solved in your Teamwork Discussion
Lifeboat Dilemma
A mysterious explosion destroys an ocean liner en route from Singapore to San Francisco. Only 12 passengers have managed to reach a lifeboat thrown clear of the blast. The boat is only a temporary save because it is damaged and leaking badly. Despite feverish bailing efforts and extensive efforts to repair the craft, it is obvious that in a matter of hours it will break apart, sending its passengers to a watery grave. Aboard the boat is an inflatable raft so small that it will support only five passengers. The captain suggested that the remaining passengers draw lots to determine who could leave on the life raft, but the passengers have unanimously overruled him. Which five of the following passengers should be saved? As a group, pick the five passengers to board the life raft.
1. Michael Oberhauser, age 62: a medical doctor with a long career, specializing in the treatment of cancer. He is reportedly on the verge of perfecting a cancer vaccine that would seek out and kill dormant cancer cells.
2. Issac Johnson, age 33: black militant minister who is a spiritual and political leader. He is due in San Francisco to appear in court to answer charges of illegally using federal funds to sponsor business ventures in struggling neighborhoods.
3. Regina Fosdick, age 32: successor to Betty Friedan as a spokesperson for the Equal Rights Movement. She is admired by many women. Her philosophical novel, The Season of Sex, has been highly praised by literary critics and has been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in literature.
4. Preston Cabot, age 43: Cabot is a successful banker from New Rochelle, New York. His record of community service is evident by his membership in Rotary Clubs, Elks, and Lions. He is chair of the local Jaycees and head of the New York Republican Party. He founded a treatment center for alcoholics in memory of his first wife who died of cirrhosis of the liver.
5. Clair Cabot, age 24: Third wife of Preston, pregnant (four months) and organizer of the New Rochelle Bridge Club for harried housewives. Somewhat frustrated in her role as homemaker, she has been fighting the temptation of afternoon martini get-togethers at the Country Club. Before her marriage, she graduated Phi Beta Kappa in child psychology.
6. Hans Kreitzer, age 72: His family’s only survivor of the Nazi Holocaust, he was born Fyodor Ivanovich Zukov, in the Ukraine, moved to Germany when he was very young. After outstanding achievements at several universities in Europe, he entered the field of nuclear physics. He fled Germany in 1933, went to England and then to the United States, where he is now considered to be one of the leading scientists in the field of nuclear fusion.
7. Michael Ward Armstrong III, age 22: Leader of Young Americans for Freedom, an ultraconservative group pledged to cleansing college campuses of liberals. He has been accepted at Harvard Law School and has the informal backing from a senator of his home state.
8. Steven Falcon, age 26: Former star pupil of Ralph, “the gun” Calpone, reputed Godfather of the New York crime syndicate. He is scheduled to testify before a Senate subcommittee investigating organized crime. What he knows, if made public, could put a serious dent in drug traffic. He is the only source of support for the invalid godfather.
9. Sam Carroway, age 36: Unbeknown to his fellow passengers, he has been recruited by the CIA for foreign surveillance activities, and is now going back home with vital information concerning Russia’s plans in the Middle East.
10. Luis Ariento, age 22: Cuban refugee, unofficially regarded as the most promising baseball player in the American League. Like the late Clemente, he thrills millions of fans with his technique at bat, his speed around the bases and in center field. He is beginning a tour of the USA and Philippines, urging youngsters to “just say no” to drugs.
11. Mimsy Star, age 24: a sometime hooker and heroin addict, she is now reformed and rehabilitated, and currently “sex goddess” of film and stage. She recently was recognized as the highest paid actress in the pornographic film industry.
12. Harold Goodman, age 21: graduated from Yale at the age of 20 with a B.A. and an M.A. in Political Science. He is the current leader and social director of the Youth International Party, and ultra-liberal group. His thesis was titled, “Anarchy of Else,” and it has been acclaimed as a political landmark by the New York Review of Books and designated as “must” reading by the National Review.
Now that you have completed the group discussion, you are expected to submit an individual essay, reflecting on the group discussion and addressing the following points in your individual essay:
Describe your role in facilitating the group discussion.
What viewpoints/ideas did you contribute to the group discussion?
How did you help create a constructive and productive group climate?
If there was a conflict or disagreement, what strategies did you use to keep the group productive and on task?
How did your group make sure that everyone got to express his/her opinion?
Was the group discussion useful for thinking through the problem? Why or why not?
What do you believe was the shared goal or purpose of discussing these questions as a group?
Your individual submission is a reflection of your discussion with your group. Essays will be graded on your ability to address all of the points noted above, as well as adhering to correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Although there is not a specific length requirement, most students should be able to address the assignment requirements in 2-3 pages.
Teamwork Reflective Essay
Criteria
Introduction
Responds to all prompts
Conclusion
Correct Grammar
Answer preview to Lifeboat Dilemma
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