Join the OpenSeminar in Research Ethics (OSRE) online community now. Instructions are below. It is possible to complete this course without joining. However, we strongly recommend that you participate in the virtual community because our members will help you maximize your chances of achieving the course objectives. We also recommend that you take this course with an instructor at your university. Face-to-face instruction is invaluable in negotiating obstacles and connecting with peers and mentors.

To learn how to join, look left and click on "Comstock: Join OSRE." After enrolling, complete the following steps.

1. Search for a member whose profile interests you.

2. Send that person a "request to be peer mentor."

3. Once you have established online contact with a peer mentor, perform the following research together.

4. Find one COMMON rule in your field's professional code likely to be found in other codes. And find a second, DISCIPLINE-SPECIFIC, rule not likely to be found in other codes

5. Explain in 2-3 sentences how an egoist might justify the common rule, and how a contractarian might justify the discipline-specific rule.

Let us take stock. By now you should have: a) Joined the OSRE online community; b) Found an online peer mentor, and c) Discussed with them the grounds professional rules find in ethical theories. If you have completed these three assignments, go on to the next screen.