750 word essay

HUM110HM—Assignment 2

Directions: After watching the "Water Parks" episode of Malcolm in the Middle, write an

essay that answers the following questions.

1. Integrity is an extremely interesting concept. When we use it to refer to a building or

a bridge, we are referring to structural issues: the building or bridge's ability to

withstand not only normal uses but also extreme circumstances: storms,

earthquakes, and floods, for example. When we use this term to describe people, we

can mean their ability to maintain their moral standards even in the face of

temptation. What is your definition of integrity?

2. Using your definition of integrity, analyze the following parts of the episode:

a) Hal and Lois's decision to procure a babysitter--any babysitter--for Dewey so that

they can have fun at the park.

b) Hal's decision to smuggle a pint of rum into the park.

c) Hal and Lois's decision to ignore their two sons and concentrate on each other.

d) The behavior of the attendant at the top (entry point) of the monster water ride.

e) The decision by Francis and Spangler to deliberately lose each game of pool that

they play against each other.

f) The fact that after the elderly babysitter is taken away via ambulance, both the

emergency medical technicians and the neighbors fail to realize that Dewey has

been left home alone.

Guidelines: Use the following guidelines for this assignment

1. Use a minimum of 700 words

2. The essay must be typed, double-spaced, and follow MLA format

3. Proofread carefully

4. The material included in the Perspective and Interaction sections of each module is

intended to provide you information and to give you issues to think about. These

overviews are not intended to be used to help you complete your essay. In other

words, please use the ideas from the overviews, but do not use their language. As

well, do not use any outside research or information when completing this

assignment. I am interested in what you have to say.

Submit your assignment to the appropriate course Dropbox no later than Sunday,

11:59 PM EST/EDT. (This Dropbox basket is linked to Turnitin.)

HUM110HM—Assignment 2

Grading Rubric

Components Missing Level I Level II Level III Critical Thinking Elements

Points Possible

0 Points Possible 1-5 Points Possible 6-8 Points Possible 9-10

Purpose Is the thesis of the essay clear?

Identification of purpose is vague and/or does not elaborate/exemplify the purpose. ( ____ points)

Clearly identifies the purpose of the writing, with only limited elaboration /exemplification. ( ____ points)

Clearly identifies the purpose of the writing using elaboration/exemplification and/or the vocabulary of the discipline (as appropriate). ( ____ points)

Question at Issue What is the right thing for the characters to do in featured situations?

Question is not stated or is not defined. An attempt to elaborate/exemplify is vaguely outlined. Question is not informed by the vocabulary of the discipline. ( ____ points)

Clarifies the question through limited elaboration/ exemplification. ( ____ points)

Clarifies the question through elaboration/ exemplification. Question incorporates the language of the discipline (as appropriate). ( ____ points)

Assumptions How much is fun worth in terms of risk and actual cost?

States assumptions without analysis. Relies on questionable assumptions ( ____ points)

Writing explicitly acknowledges the assumptions of the work, and grounds these assumptions in a larger context (e.g., cultural background, gender)

( ____ points)

Writing explicitly addresses the assumptions of the work and grounds these assumptions in a larger context (e.g., cultural background, gender). Includes in-depth analysis of the assumptions based on the discipline ( ____ points)

Implications and Consequences Does anyone in Malcolm's family actually think through the long- range consequences of their actions?

Identification of implications and/or consequences are vague and do not show ( ____ points)

Identifies the implications of the position taken in the writing assignment and extends this to identify potential consequences of these implications ( ____ points)

Identifies the implications of the position taken in the assignment, extends this to identify potential consequences of these implications, and assesses the likelihood of various consequences ( ____ points)

Concepts Thoroughly define the concepts used in your essay.

Concepts are identified, but not clearly defined. No attempt to elaborate/ exemplify. ( ____ points)

Some concepts are clearly defined using elaboration/ exemplification. ( ____ points)

All relevant concepts are clearly defined using elaboration/ exemplification. ( ____ points)

Conclusions and Interpretations What is your final sense of what you have watched in this episode?

Conclusions and interpretations are stated, but are not linked to information and/or may be based on bias or prejudice. ( ____ points)

Conclusions are stated in recognition of information, assumptions, and consequences. ( ____ points)

Conclusions are stated in recognition of information, assumptions, and consequences. Conclusions and interpretations are identified and distinctions are made between information and interpretations of information. ( ____ points)

Points of View Can you conceive of a reasonable point of view that conflicts with yours?

Acknowledges existence of more than one point of view, but considers only one. ( ____ points)

More than one point of view is explained, including the point(s) of view of the discipline. ( ____ points)

More than one point of view is explained, including the point(s) of view of the discipline. Points of view are evaluated for relevance to this particular assignment. ( ____ points)

Core Values Integrity

Core value(s) implied but not specifically addressed in the writing. ( ____ points)

Core value(s) are specifically addressed with relevance stated, but not integrated throughout the critical thinking elements. ( ____ points)

Core value(s) are specifically addressed with relevance stated, and are integrated throughout the critical thinking elements. ( ____ points)

Decision Making Have any good judgments been made by the characters during this episode?

The decision made is based only on some of the information presented. ( ____ points)

The decision made is based on the culmination of most steps to critical thinking and addresses the core values. ( ____ points)

The decision made is based on the culmination of all the steps to critical thinking and explicitly addresses the role of core values and the values of the discipline, as appropriate. ( ____ points)

Total Points Earned: ____________