Get ready to test your ethical boundaries. Find six print ads you feel are "ethically questionable."

• Write up a one-page critique of each ad. Explain why you feel it is ethically questionable--focusing on the ad and not the product itself (i.e., not "drinking is bad and shouldn't be advertised," but "ads promoting alcohol should not target minors . . ."). Focus your comments on the target, placement, content, and so forth.
• Next, write a short survey. Poll 10 people from various backgrounds on the ads you found ethically questionable, but add in two neutral ads (ads that are not "ethically questionable").
• Write a summary of the results. Begin with a quantitative summary. Move onto to a commentary considering the following questions: Did the people you polled feel like you? Did you notice any demographic (age, ethnicity, gender, or income) patterns? What did you find that was surprising? End with a short reflection asking yourself: What kind of socially responsible person do I want to be? What is the advertising industry's responsibility? What would I do if I was asked to work on something I felt was ethically wrong or simply bad for society at large?

Adapted from an exercise shared by Kimberly Selber, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Texas-Pan American.