Midterm Paper (Due in 13 hours)

Excellent Above Average Average Below Average Unacceptable Points 5 4 2 1 0 Understanding and Evaluating Ethical Choices

Student thoroughly discusses at least two sides of an ethical choice to be made.

Student thoroughly discusses one side and partially describes another side of an ethical choice to be made.

Student partially explains two sides of an ethical choice to be made.

Student attempts to explain only one side of an ethical choice to be made.

Student is unable to articulate an ethical choice to be made.

Making and Justifying Ethical Choices

Student states a position on the issue with more detailed explanation and/or resons for the position and addresses objections to their position.

Student states a poition on the issue with more detailed explanation and/or resons for the position.

Student states a position on the issue, but only provides limited explanation and/or reasons for the position.

Student states a position on the isse without providing any reasons for the position.

Student does not take a clear ethical position on the issue.

Consequences Student identifies consequences and demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the scope, complexity, and/or magnitude of the consequences.

Student identifies consequences and demonstrates a moderate understanding of the scope, complexity, and/or magnitude of the consequences.

Student identifies consequences of the choices, but demonstrates a limited understanding of the scope, complexity, and/or magnitude of the consequences.

Student identifies the obvious consequences of each choice.

Student does not identify any consequences of the choices available.

Philosophical Engagement

The student makes significant reference to at least two thinkers disucessed in the course so far in their paper.

The student makes significant reference to at least one thinker and limited reference to another thinker discussed in the course so far.

The student makes limited reference to two thinkers discussed in the course so far or significant reference to a single thinker.

The student makes limited reference to one thinker discussed in the course.

The student makes no reference to any thinkers discussed in the course so far.

Structure and Clarity

The paper is clearly structured, with an introduction, several body paragraphs, and a clear conclusion. Paragraph breaks make sense and use transitions. All sentences are complete and grammatical. All words are used correctly. Paper has been spell- checked and proofread, and has no errors.

The paper is clearly structured, with an introduction, several body paragraphs, and a clear conclusion. Paragraph breaks make sense and use transitions. All sentences are complete and grammatical. All words are used correctly. Paper has been spell- checked and proofread, and has no errors.

There is a clear introduction and conclusion, but few paragraph breaks in the body and little use of transitions. Sentences are mostly complete and grammatical. Most words are used correctly. Paper has been spell-checked and proofread, and has very few minor errors.

The paper lacks either an introduction or a conclusion, or the body is a single paragraph. Several sentences are incomplete and/or ungrammatical. Many words are used incorrectly. Paper has several spelling errors.

There is no structure. The paper is a single paragraph. Many sentences are incomplete and/or ungrammatical. Paper has many spelling errors. Many words are used incorrectly. Reading is difficult due to lack of proper grammar and syntax.

Prof. Norwood's Midterm Paper Rubric