D773 explores where ethical thinking meets technological change. WGU's guidebook describes a foundational introduction to ethical frameworks that is applied to emerging trends such as artificial intelligence, social media and other digital media, with attention to how technology shapes our understanding of ourselves and our roles in a globalized society.
The course has no prerequisites and appears across several WGU programs, so classmates come from nursing to computing to teaching. Students tend to find that the hard part is not the technology but the argument: moving from "this feels wrong" to a reasoned position that names a framework, weighs consequences and considers who is affected.
Course at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| University | Western Governors University |
| Code | D773 (WGU's master's guidebooks label this title D842; confirm yours on your degree plan) |
| Level | Appears in undergraduate and graduate teacher preparation programs |
| Size | 3 competency units in the dual licensure bachelor's guidebook; 2 in the master's guidebooks |
| Prerequisites | None |
What D773 Covers
| Competency (WGU wording, summarized) | What it means |
|---|---|
| Analyses privacy ethics and identity as related to emerging technologies | Data collection, consent, digital identity and surveillance |
| Applies ethical concepts to emerging technology as it relates to society | Weighing benefits and harms for different groups |
| Describes ethical decision-making frameworks as applied to technology | Using named frameworks to reach and justify a decision |
Key Concepts Explained
Three Common Lenses
| Lens | Core question | Typical technology question |
|---|---|---|
| Consequences (utilitarian) | Which choice produces the best overall outcome? | Does recommendation software benefit most users, and at whose expense? |
| Duties and rights (deontological) | Which rules or rights must be respected? | Is collecting data without clear consent acceptable even if useful? |
| Character (virtue) | What would a person of good character do? | What does honest design look like for an app? |
Your course resources define the frameworks you must use. Use their terms and definitions.
A Worked Example on Privacy
Scenario: A school adopts software that tracks student typing patterns to detect cheating.
Consequences lens: may deter cheating but could cause stress and false accusations. Rights lens: students have a claim to privacy and to know what is collected. Conclusion: adopt only with clear notice, a human review of any flag and limits on how long data is kept.
Identity and Society
Online identity can be shaped by algorithms and by what we share. Consider how that affects groups differently, for example people with fewer resources or less digital access.
Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them
| Assignment type | What it tests | How to approach it |
|---|---|---|
| Case analysis | Applying a framework to a scenario | Describe the case, apply the framework, conclude |
| Privacy and identity discussion | Understanding data ethics | Name the data, who holds it, and the risks |
| Decision-making reflection | Justifying a position | Present at least two views before choosing one |
Planning Your Paper
- Pick one technology and one clear ethical question.
- Choose the framework your rubric names.
- List stakeholders and what each gains or risks.
- Decide, then test the decision against an opposing view.
A Second Worked Scenario
Practicing on a second case builds confidence with the frameworks. Consider a company using AI to screen job applications.
| Lens | Analysis |
|---|---|
| Consequences | Faster hiring, but a biased model could exclude qualified candidates at scale |
| Duties and rights | Applicants have a claim to fair treatment and to know how decisions are made |
| Character | An honest employer would audit the tool and allow human review |
| Recommendation | Use only with bias testing, disclosure to applicants and a human appeal route |
Notice that the recommendation draws on all three lenses. That integration is what higher-scoring analyses tend to show.
Matching Evidence to Each Competency
The three competencies suggest a clear structure for a longer response.
| Competency | Section to write |
|---|---|
| Privacy ethics and identity | What data is involved, who controls it, and what risks follow for the individual |
| Ethical concepts and society | How the technology affects groups differently and what values conflict |
| Decision-making frameworks | The framework you used and the decision it supports |
Headings like these let the reader see immediately that each part of the rubric is met.
Where Students Get Stuck
- Opinion without framework. Name the framework and use it.
- Describing technology at length. Keep explanation short and analysis long.
- Ignoring other viewpoints. Consider those who disagree.
- Weak conclusions. State a decision and its limits.
Study Tips for D773
- Practice one scenario through all three lenses.
- Keep a short glossary of ethics terms from your resources.
- Choose current, concrete examples such as AI recommendations or data brokers.
- Match your headings to the rubric.
How We Help with D773
Send the instructions, rubric and your notes. We explain frameworks, prepare worked analyses or review your draft. For a course that applies ethical judgment in a health setting, see D776 Healthcare Leadership and Community Engagement.
GradeEssays is independent of Western Governors University. Our work is a study and reference aid: use it to understand the method, then write and submit your own work under WGU's academic integrity policy.
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Make Your Ethics Analysis Airtight
Share the prompt and your draft. We prepare a worked analysis or give feedback against the rubric.
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Frequently Asked Questions
WGU's guidebooks say the course has no prerequisites.
The description names artificial intelligence, social media and other forms of digital media.
Use those in your course materials and rubric. Common ones include consequences, duties and rights, and virtue approaches.
The master's guidebooks label this title D842. D773 may be a different version for other programs. Check your degree plan.
3 in the dual licensure bachelor's guidebook and 2 in the master's guidebooks.
No. We tutor, prepare custom analyses and give feedback. You submit your own work.