Judgment Call Handout
Personal Account
Case Study: Hans
Name:
Date:
Needs an Apology, or No?
We are about to read through a historical fiction of a personal account of a real person. The account will describe their background and actions in some detail, and will focus on their reasoning behind their choices. Your job is to determine whether or not they need to apologize for any wrongdoing, and if they do, to what extent.
My name is Hans, and I am 30 years old. I am a hard worker, and have finished my college degree to become a doctor. My home is going through a lot right now. War is surrounding all of us, as people that we don’t know try to tell us how to live our lives. When I was a child, my home was almost completely destroyed by the way we were treated by outside invaders, and we’re just now starting to fight to try and make things right again. I believe that, with my medical background, I can be of service.
A new group started a few years back that is doing a lot of work around my home. They are passionate, and are really focused on helping the common folk rather than just people with a lot of money. At first, I wasn’t sure what to think of them, but they make a lot of compelling arguments about how to make things better, and I have decided to join in their fight. I am now working with some very famous doctors.
The work that I’ve been assigned isn’t what I originally anticipated, and I have been able to reject some of the tasks that I have found to be against my personal beliefs. I try to be kind to all people that are around me, and they generally appear grateful. I am not certain about what I should, or even if I should, do anything about the way that some of my co-workers behave. I do not know how my objections would be received.
Three years later….
I have been in prison for a year, and am now on trial because of what people have said about the group that I worked with. There are some kind people who have chosen to stand up in my defense, and my lawyer says that there is a good chance that I will be able to go home soon. I’m not entirely sure what I believe anymore.
Impression
Jot down initial thoughts about Hans.
Verdict & Reflection
1
Do you believe that this person needs to apologize for any wrongdoing? Circle your response.
a. Yes
b. No
c. There isn’t enough information
2
Why did you choose the answer that you did?
3
Do you think that Hans is a good person based on what you have read here?
a. Yes
b. No
c. There isn’t enough information
4
Why did you choose the answer that you did?
