Order Philosophy Course Assignment

Order Philosophy Course Assignment

(I suggest you review this frequently – especially before you submit your final draft)

PART 1 (20 pts.)
· There are at least FOUR entries in total within your bibliography [8 pts.]

· TWO articles were found using the library resources [2 pts.]

· Use standard citation guidelines (MLA, APA, or Chicago) for all entries [6 pts.]

· After every entry, briefly note which library resources were used and summarize the content of each source and why the sources should be considered legitimate authorities using CT Ch. 5 [4 pts.]

· I will give 1 pt. of extra credit for every additional article you list and annotate (maximum of 3 pts. extra credit possible).

Order Philosophy Course Assignment

PART 2 (20 pts.)
· Identify and present the main conclusions of the TWO arguments [4 pts.]

· Identify and present the basic premises of the TWO arguments [4 pts.]

· State any implicit premises that are necessary to make the arguments valid or strong

· Present the reasoning to the main conclusion neatly in standard form [6 pts.]

· Describe each argument using terms drawn from our reading, indicating any argument forms that are being used [6 pts.]

PART 3 (30 pts.)
· The essay is 2+ pages (500+ words) or 10 min. video [8 pts.]

· Present a clear, explicit, easy-to-spot thesis expressing your informed decision on the issue based on the evidence-at-hand [4 pts.]

· Your body paragraphs each focus on the basic premises and the reasons from which you arrived at your position (one reason per paragraph; use topic sentences) [8 pts.]

· Briefly consider an objection to your argument, one an informed person might make (you don’t have to be very thorough but try to be charitable; clarify any ambiguity using the guidelines from CT Ch. 3) [6 pts.]

· Your conclusion is merely a recapitulation of your thesis and the reasons for your thesis; do not elaborate any more on your argument [4 pts.]

DUE DATE:

· FINAL SUBMISSION (Part 1, 2, and 3): no later than Friday, July 1st by 11:59pm

LIST OF CONTEMPORARY MORAL ISSUES

Order Philosophy Course Assignment

The following are contentious moral issues that are regularly politicized. These issues are presented as questions so that the opposing sides are clear: one side would answer “yes” and the other “no.” [The position you take in your essay, though, may want to acknowledge nuance (“Yes, but…”, “No, but…”, “No, unless…”, etc.)]

· Is abortion immoral?

· Should human cloning be banned?

· Is genetic modification of human beings acceptable?

· Should drugs be legalized?

· Is gambling immoral?

· Is affirmative action fair?

· Should licensing for handguns be more restrictive?

· Should the death penalty be abolished?

· Is torture ever morally justified?

· Is war ever morally justified?

· Is physician-assisted suicide wrong?

· Does morality require vegetarianism?

Order Philosophy Course Assignment

· Should young adults pursue a college education despite the costs?

· Should we open our country’s borders?

There are many other issues you can tackle concerning different topics:

· Legal rights of transgender people (e.g., restroom policies)

· Encouraging environmental trends (e.g., electric cars, solar panels)

· Corporate social responsibility (e.g., pollution regulations, charity, tax breaks)

· The moral status of non-human animals (e.g., animal testing, veganism)

· Paternalistic health policies (e.g., food options in schools)

· Issues on the segregation or desegregation of genders

· Issues on divorce, incest, polygamy

· Issues of morality and religion

· [[ Email me if you choose from this latter list ]]

It’s best to choose a topic that you’re fascinated about or passionate about. Please contact me if you have any other ideas. I must approve any topic and corresponding issue not mentioned on the first list above . Also, if you have concerns or are confused about the issue you chose, you should see me in my office hours in order to get assistance.

· Justin K.