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Ethics in Computer Games and Cinema

Ethics Paper #2 Guidelines and Questions

Due via D2L DropBox by: Saturday, July 18th at 11:00 P.M.

For this assignment, you will be writing a 5-6-page paper on any ONE ethical topic discussed in the last five lectures, and then you will relate that topic to a game article (or set of game articles) and a film brought up in this class. Afterwards, you will provide your own philosophical opinion on the topic. More specifically, I would like you to write your paper based on the following list of guidelines (in a series of steps). For each step, I have also included a page length specific to that step. Based on these specific guidelines, the finished paper should end up being about 5-6 pages. Here the directions may seem somewhat vague, but I want you to use this to your advantage and be creative with how you choose to write your paper, focusing on the ideas presented in the article(s) and film that you find to be morally interesting and worth writing about.

STEP 1: 1 Page

Introduce/explain the topic you will be writing about. Afterwards, briefly introduce the video game article(s) and film you will be discussing. Explain the main idea behind the article(s) as well as a short plot synopsis for the film.

STEP 2: 1 Page

Exposit the main points made in the video game article(s) that have ethical significance to your topic.

STEP 3: 1 Page

Exposit the main points made throughout the film that have ethical significance to your topic.

STEP 4: 1 Page

What is your opinion on the topic insofar as it applies to the video game article(s)?

STEP 5: 1 Page

What is your opinion on the topic insofar as it applies to the film?

STEP 6: ½ Page

Conclude your paper by neatly summarizing what you discussed and then explain your opinion on the topic in general.

Topics

The topics to write on are as follows (remember, you’re only picking ONE of these topics, and then you are choosing a film and game article (or set of game articles) to write on)…

TOPIC #1: How Movies and Games Depict Morality

Movies to choose from (Pick ONE): Minority Report, Dear Zachary

Game Articles to choose from (Pick ONE): Zagal Article, Moore Article

TOPIC #2: Moral Responsibility of Media Authors

Movies to choose from (Pick ONE): Pulp Fiction, Taxi Driver

Game Articles to choose from (Pick ONE): GTA San Andreas Article, Hatred Articles

TOPIC #3: Should Movies and Games be Censored/Rated?

Movie: This Film is Not Yet Rated

Game Article: Game Ratings Articles

Additional Information

Your overall paper will be graded based on clarity and the strength of your arguments.

For clarity, I will be grading based on how well you’re able to explain the ideas necessary to answer each of the questions listed above. Please be prepared to answer the question in its entirety. Any part of the question you don’t answer will cause you to lose points.

Also, don’t forget to explain philosophical ideas in YOUR OWN WORDS. Try to do this as much as you can and avoid using lengthy direct quotes from the article(s) and film.

For strength of arguments, I will be grading based on how well an argument you’re able to form. Clearly introduce your claims and then provide main points to back them up. Devote your paper to fair and reasonable arguments so as to avoid personal bias.

Citing and Formatting

I expect you to cite from the game article(s). You can also use your notes, since some of the information I’ve gone over might not have come directly from the article(s).

As far as citations go, you do have to cite. However, since I already know the game articles, you don’t need a works cited page (unless you are using additional sources to make further points). You also don’t have to cite the movie.

You can use any citation format you want, just be consistent with it. Personally I like to use MLA (Zagal 3).

DO NOT Plagiarize. If you do, I will have to send your paper to the college and the punishment will end up being quite severe. Just don’t cheat and you’ll be fine.

For information about what constitutes plagiarism, see syllabus.

Make sure your paper adheres to the following requirements: Times new roman, 12-point font, double-spaced, one inch margins. Also, be sure to include page numbers.

This paper will be worth a total of 75 Points: 12 points for each step, plus additional points for spelling/grammar/neatness/etc.

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