for prof maurice only

JUS 370 Cultural Diversity and Justice

Spring 2017

Paper #1

Instructions:

The following questions present two “intellectual puzzles” that will require you to revisit the debate between liberal universalism and cultural relativism. Choose ONE of the two questions below and write a 6-7 pgs. essay (double-spaced, with standard 12-pt font and margins). As a general guideline, be sure to:

1) Provide a clear thesis by the end of introduction to indicate your position and major argument.

2) Make pertinent use of readings and lectures in-depth to support your position and address counterarguments (hint: address key concepts and refer to specific arguments or examples – the more concrete and specific you are in your analysis and discussion, the stronger the paper will be).

3) Craft your writing to make your analysis clear and concise.

Note: when you quote an author, be sure to provide proper citation that includes the author’s last name and page number. E.g. (Donnelly, 305). However, you do not need a bibliography page for this paper.

Due date: February 9, 2017 (Thursday) by 3:00pm. Please save and upload your file in Word documents.

Questions:

1. Competing philosophical conceptions of justice often have a role to play in determining where one stands on multicultural issues when minorities demand recognition of their cultural values or distinct ways of life. Write an essay addressing whether the liberal universalist model or the cultural relativist model (or an integration of the two) better informs your position on each of the following two cases and why. For each case, pick THREE of the four philosophers/theorists we discussed in class – Rawls, Taylor, Addis, and Kukathas – in analyzing where each would stand on the issue at hand given their own key concepts and arguments. In the process, discuss whose views you would endorse and whose views you would refute in each case and why. (Note: in your thesis statement, be sure to identify which author(s)’s views better help inform and support your position on the two models as you decide on each case)

Case A: removing the word “God” from the Pledge of Allegiance and monetary currency

Case B: a congressional bill that promotes multilingual versions of the U.S. national

anthem

2. The right not to be subject to “Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment” is a major international human rights provision. Write an essay addressing whether you think the liberal universalist model or the cultural relativist model (or an integration of the two) better informs your approach to resolve each of the following two cases that concern the violation of this human right (or animal right when it is being applied to animals). In your response, draw upon the arguments made by Donnelly, Renteln, and An-Na’im to comment on these two cases on whether you think each practice constitutes a violation of this human right or animal right and should be abolished without question, or if you think we need to employ a cross-cultural approach to deepen our understanding of the practice in order to resolve the issue. (Note: in your thesis statement, be sure to identify which author(s)’s views better help inform and support your position on the two models as you decide on each case)

Case A: amputation of the right hand for theft according to Shari’a, the Islamic law

Case B: the Santeria’s religious ritual of public animal sacrifices that took place in

Florida (refer to class handout for the story; digital copy available on

Blackboard)