Ashford 6: - Week 5 - Final Paper

 

Applied Ethics
 

Please read these assignment instructions before writing your paper, and re-read them often during and after the writing process to make sure that you are fulfilling all of the instructions.
 

Overview
In the Week One Assignment, you chose a concrete moral question, identified three ethically significant issues that pertain to that question, and constructed a thesis statement that articulated your position on that question. In the Week Three Assignment, you discussed either deontological or utilitarian theory, applied that theory to the topic, and raised a relevant objection.
 

By engaging with the course material, you now have had a chance to refine your thinking and broaden your understanding of the issue by approaching it from the perspective of multiple ethical theories.
 

In this paper, you will demonstrate what you have learned by writing an essay in which you

  • Present a revised thesis statement on the question you      are discussing.
  • Identify, explain, and apply the core principles of at      least two ethical theories to draw specific moral conclusions about the      question you are discussing.
  • Present your own reasoning on the question you are      discussing and explain which of the ethical theories best supports your own      view on the issue.

 Instructions
Write an essay that conforms to the requirements below. The paper must be 1500 to 2000 words in length (excluding the title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
 

The paragraphs of your essay should conform to the following guidelines:

  1. Introduction (150 to 200      words): 
    • Your first paragraph should introduce the topic by       briefly and precisely discussing the concrete problem or question that       you will be addressing, including a brief preview of the ethically       significant issues that make this question important. This should draw       upon your work in the Week One Assignment, but should be more succinct       and reflect the development of your understanding of those ideas throughout       the course.
    • Conclude your introductory paragraph with the revised       statement of your thesis, and a brief description of the primary       reason(s) supporting your position. (If you changed topics, you will need       to repeat the exercises from the Week One Assignment, including using the       Thesis Generator from the Ashford Writing Center. Please see the notes       and guidelines for more on this).
       
  2. Application of Two Ethical      Theories (1000 to 1200 words):
         This section of the Final Paper consists in explaining and applying the      core principles of two ethical theories to the question or problem you      have chosen. One of these theories may be the theory you used in your Week      Three Assignment, but your discussion here should be more refined and must      identify the specific moral conclusions(s) that result when the theory is      applied to the question or problem you are addressing.

         For each of the theories you are considering, you should 
    1. Explain       the core principles or features of the theory and the general account of       moral behavior it provides.
    2. Explain       how these principles or features apply to the problem or question under       consideration and identify the specific moral conclusion that results       when these theories are applied to that problem or question. 
      • A specific moral conclusion is a statement that takes        a moral stance on the issue at hand. For example, if you’re discussing        the question, “Is the death penalty moral?” a discussion that identifies        and applies the core principles of utilitarian theory might yield the        specific conclusion that the death penalty is moral because it ensures        the greatest good for the greatest number. Applying virtue ethics might        conclude that the death penalty exhibits the vice of cruelty, or a        deontological theory might worry that it fails to treat the criminal as        an end-in-itself. (Note: These are just examples; you may not write on        the death penalty, nor is it necessarily the case that each theory would        lead to the conclusion mentioned).
      • For purpose of this assignment, it’s best if you        explain its core principles and moral conclusion(s) and apply one theory        first and then turn to the second theory. This section of the paper        should be approximately 1000 to 1200 words (500 to 600 words for each        theory application).
         
  3. Evaluation (150 to 300 words):
         In this section of the paper, you should explain which ethical theory you      think presents the most persuasive moral argument on this question and      why. Then briefly address a common objection to that argument that you      have not yet considered in the main part of your paper, and provide a      concise response to that objection. 
    • For example, if you were writing on capital       punishment, you might think that a utilitarian argument that defends       position X is most persuasive. You would then raise an objection against       a utilitarian defense of position X, and defend that view against the       objection.
       
  4. Conclusion (150 to 300 words):
         Provide a conclusion that sums up what you presented in the paper and      offer some final reflections, including a revised statement of the thesis      (do not simply repeat your thesis, but rephrase it in light of the      discussion you just presented).

 Resource Requirement:
You must use at least four resources. Two of the resources must be drawn from the list of acceptable resources on each of the two theories you discuss. For example, if you write on deontology and virtue ethics, you would need at least one resource under the “Deontology” list, and at least one resource under the “Virtue Ethics” list. The other two may be from either the Required or Recommended Resources lists, or from the Ashford University Library.

  • If you need help with finding additional resources, or      are unsure about whether a particular resource will count toward the      requirement, please contact your instructor.
  • The textbook does not count toward the resource      requirement.
  • Cite your sources within the text of your paper and on      the reference page. For information regarding APA, including samples and      tutorials, visit the Ashford Writing Center, located within the Learning      Resources tab on the left navigation toolbar.

 The Ashford Writing Center (AWC)  has two kinds of tutoring available to you.

  • Live Chat – If you have writing-related questions about a topic      before you draft a discussion post or submit a written assignment, you      will now be able to chat live with a tutor for a short (up to 20 minute)      conversation. Live Chat will be available Monday through Friday from      10:00-11:00 am and 4:00-5:00 pm (PST). AWC Live Chat
  • Email Paper Review – If you have a draft, partial draft, or even if      you’re having trouble getting started, you can complete a submission form      and email your paper to the AWC for review. 
    • Writing Tutors will do their best to return your paper       with their comments within 48 hours, not including Saturdays and Sundays.       Please plan accordingly if you would like to receive feedback before an       assignment due date. AWC Email Paper Review 

 Writing the Final Paper
The Final Paper:

  1. Must be 1500 to 2000 words in length (excluding title      and reference pages), and formatted according to APA style as outlined in      the Ashford Writing Center.
  2. Must include a title page with the following: 
    1. Title of paper
    2. Student’s name
    3. Course name and number
    4. Instructor’s name
    5. Date submitted
  3. Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a      succinct thesis statement.
  4. Must address the topic of the paper with critical      thought.
  5. Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.
  6. Must use at least four resources.
  7. Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in      the Ashford Writing Center.
  8. Must include a separate reference page, formatted      according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

 Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.
 

Late Policy: Written assignments (essays, journals, presentations) are due on the specified days in the course. Written assignments will be subject to a late penalty of up to 10% per day up to three days late. If written assignments are submitted after 72 hours past the due date, instructors can give a penalty up to and including a grade of 0 for the assignment.

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