Oklahoma Ethics Bowls
Oklahoma High Schools |
Oklahoma Colleges |
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Since 2016 Oklahoma high schools have been forming teams of students to complete in Regional and National Ethics Bowls.
Find out how your school can join the growing number of state high schools that are encouraging students to engage in this vital conversation: 
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Colleges and universities across the nation and in Oklahoma are taking part in the INTERCOLLEGIATE ETHICS BOWL competition.
For information about forming competitive teams follow this link: 
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WHAT IS AN ETHICS BOWL?
An Ethics Bowl is a collaborative yet competitive event in which teams analyze a series of wide-ranging ethical dilemmas. Responses are judged according to the quality of a team’s reasoning and how well team members:
WHAT TYPES OF TOPICS ARE DISCUSSED?
High school ethics bowls typically utilize case studies most obviously relevant to young students, such as questions concerning cheating, plagiarism, peer pressure, use and abuse of social media, privacy, relationship responsibilities, and the like. However, political and social issues — free speech, gun control, and eco-tourism — and bioethical issues, such as cloning, parental consent, and stem cell research, are also of great interest to teenagers, and are sometimes included.
HOW COMPETITIVE IS AN ETHICS BOWL?
Although the event is competitive, it is intended to promote collaboration. Teams do not have to take pro/con positions; in fact, they can agree with each other. They are not required to refute each other’s' points, but rather are asked to offer commentary on one another's arguments. Teams are coached to not think in terms of “beating” the other team by out-arguing their opponents, or to try to score points through rhetorical or semantic fine points. Rather, they are encouraged to arrive at whatever seems to be the best answer together, through informed, civil dialogue.
In addition, many bowls award not only the winners, but also first- and second-place runners up, as well as several honorable mention awards for such areas as teamwork, best responses during the “commentary” portion of the round, and best responses to judges’ questions.
HOW DOES INVOLVEMENT IN ETHIC BOWL COMPETITION IMPROVE SCHOOL CULTURE?
High schools and colleges that seek to develop cultures of good character will benefit from encouraging student dialogue concerning ethics. That type of dialogue is what preparation for and involvement in an Ethics Bowl is all about.
DOES ETHICS BOWL COMPETITION HELP IN ROUTE TO BECOMING A STATE AND NATIONAL SCHOOL OF CHARACTER?
No single program or event defines a School of Character, however the formation and presence of Ethics Bowl teams can definitely help a high school to develop the type of campus culture found in Oklahoma and National Schools of Character. Here are three specific areas where the 11 Principles of Effective Character Development align with Ethic Bowl competition:
3.1 - The school provides opportunities for students to develop their moral reasoning through discussions of ethical issues in their content areas.
7.3 - Teachers and students can point to and explain the policies and procedures that support academic integrity, establishing clear guidelines around owning work and acceptable levels of collaboration.
9.3 - Students are taught leadership skills and are offered developmentally appropriate ways to demonstrate responsibility and respect for one another in school activities and programs.
- Organize and present their case
- Attend to and analyze the morally relevant features of the case
- Anticipate and preemptively respond to commentary and questions
WHAT TYPES OF TOPICS ARE DISCUSSED?
High school ethics bowls typically utilize case studies most obviously relevant to young students, such as questions concerning cheating, plagiarism, peer pressure, use and abuse of social media, privacy, relationship responsibilities, and the like. However, political and social issues — free speech, gun control, and eco-tourism — and bioethical issues, such as cloning, parental consent, and stem cell research, are also of great interest to teenagers, and are sometimes included.
HOW COMPETITIVE IS AN ETHICS BOWL?
Although the event is competitive, it is intended to promote collaboration. Teams do not have to take pro/con positions; in fact, they can agree with each other. They are not required to refute each other’s' points, but rather are asked to offer commentary on one another's arguments. Teams are coached to not think in terms of “beating” the other team by out-arguing their opponents, or to try to score points through rhetorical or semantic fine points. Rather, they are encouraged to arrive at whatever seems to be the best answer together, through informed, civil dialogue.
In addition, many bowls award not only the winners, but also first- and second-place runners up, as well as several honorable mention awards for such areas as teamwork, best responses during the “commentary” portion of the round, and best responses to judges’ questions.
HOW DOES INVOLVEMENT IN ETHIC BOWL COMPETITION IMPROVE SCHOOL CULTURE?
High schools and colleges that seek to develop cultures of good character will benefit from encouraging student dialogue concerning ethics. That type of dialogue is what preparation for and involvement in an Ethics Bowl is all about.
DOES ETHICS BOWL COMPETITION HELP IN ROUTE TO BECOMING A STATE AND NATIONAL SCHOOL OF CHARACTER?
No single program or event defines a School of Character, however the formation and presence of Ethics Bowl teams can definitely help a high school to develop the type of campus culture found in Oklahoma and National Schools of Character. Here are three specific areas where the 11 Principles of Effective Character Development align with Ethic Bowl competition:
3.1 - The school provides opportunities for students to develop their moral reasoning through discussions of ethical issues in their content areas.
7.3 - Teachers and students can point to and explain the policies and procedures that support academic integrity, establishing clear guidelines around owning work and acceptable levels of collaboration.
9.3 - Students are taught leadership skills and are offered developmentally appropriate ways to demonstrate responsibility and respect for one another in school activities and programs.
