1500 to 2000 word paper
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wk_5_final_.docxFinal Paper
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. Please also utilize the assignment guidance and the outlined model provided.
Overview In the Week One Assignment, you formulated a concrete ethical question, took a position on that topic, and identified a reason supporting and a reason opposing that position. In the Week Three Assignment, you discussed either deontological or utilitarian theory, applied that theory to the question, 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 problem 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 formulation of the ethical question and introduction to the topic.
· Explain the kind of reasoning you think is the best way to approach this question, and how that reasoning supports the position you think is strongest.
· Raise an objection, and be able to respond to it.
Topic Chosen
· Responsibility to Animals (Week Two)
· • Raising animals in factory farm conditions
· • Raising animals in alternative farming conditions
· • Hunting animals for sport
· • Using animals for scientific research, testing cosmetics, etc.
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.
The paragraphs of your essay should conform to the following guidelines:
· Introduction Your first paragraph should begin with the topic question, suitably revised. It should be focused, concrete, and on a relevant moral problem. You should then introduce the topic in the way described by the Week One instructions, but reflecting the developed understanding and information you have gained about the topic and any necessary refinement of the scope. Follow this with a thesis statement that states your position, and a brief description of the primary reason(s) supporting your position. (See the handout on thesis statements provided). Finally, provide a brief preview of the overall aim and procedure of your paper.
· Explanation and Demonstration of Moral Reasoning This section of the Final Paper will explain and demonstrate what you believe to be the best way of reasoning about the question you have chosen, and showing how that reasoning supports the position you have taken on the question. You might explain the principles, rules, values, virtues, conceptions of purposes and ends, and other general ideas that you find persuasive, and show how they support concrete judgments. In the course of doing so, you must make reference to at least two of the approaches that we have examined in the course (such as deontological, utilitarian, or virtue-based), and utilize at least one resource off the provided list for each of the two approaches. One of these theories may be the theory you discussed in your Week Three Assignment, but your discussion here should be more refined. For example, you might find the reasoning associated with Aristotelian virtue ethics to be the most compelling, and reference Aristotle in the process of showing how that reasoning supports a certain conclusion. In the course of this, you could contrast that with a utilitarian approach, referencing Mill for instance.
· Objection and Response After explaining the ethical reasoning that supports your position, you should raise an objection and respond to it. An objection articulates a plausible reason why someone might find the argument weak or problematic. You should explain how it brings out this weakness, and do so in a way that would be acceptable to someone who disagrees with your own argument. Then, provide the best response you can to the objection, showing how it does not undermine your position. Your response should not simply restate your original position or argument, but should say something new in support of it.
· Conclusion Provide a conclusion that sums up what you presented in the paper and offers some final reflections.
Resource Requirement You must use at least four scholarly resources. Two of the resources must be drawn from the list of acceptable primary resources on each of the two theories you discuss. For example, if you discuss 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, or scholarly resources found in the Ashford University Library.
· The textbook may be cited, but it does not count toward the resource requirement. If you cite the textbook, you will still need to cite at least four more sources that fulfill the requirements stated above.
· 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.
· For sources to count toward the resources requirement, they must be cited within the text of your paper and on the reference page. Sources that are listed on the references page, but not cited within the paper, do not count toward fulfilling the resources requirement.
· For information regarding APA, including samples and tutorials, visit the Ashford Writing Center.
The Final Paper:
· Must be 1500 to 2000 words in length (excluding title and reference pages), and formatted according to APA style.
· Must include a title page with the following:
· Title of paper
· Student’s name
· Course name and number
· Instructor’s name
· Date submitted
· Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement and statement of procedure.
· Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
· Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.
· Must make meaningful reference to at least two of the ethical theories studied in the course.
· Must use at least four scholarly resources that fulfill the stated requirements.
· Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
· Must include a separate reference page, formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
Carefully review the Grading Rubric (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.
Description:
Total Possible Score: 15.00
Introduction
Total: 2.00
Distinguished - Begins with a focused, concrete, and relevant ethical question. Introduces the topic in a way that clearly establishes its scope, why it is significant, and provides any necessary context. Provides a precise, clear, and well-constructed statement of the position and the primary reasons supporting it and a brief preview of the aim and procedure of the paper.
Proficient - Begins with a mostly focused, concrete, and relevant ethical question that may be slightly broad, vague, or unclear. Introduces the topic in a way that mostly establishes its scope, why it is significant, and provides most of the necessary context. Provides a mostly precise, clear, and well-constructed statement of the position and the primary reasons supporting it and a brief preview of the aim and procedure of the paper.
Basic - Begins with a somewhat focused, concrete, and relevant ethical question that may be broad, vague or unclear. Introduces the topic in a way that vaguely establishes its scope, why it is significant, and provides some of the necessary context. Provides a statement of the position, but may lack a statement of the primary reasons supporting it. May provide only a vague preview of the aim and procedure of the paper.
Below Expectations - Introduction does not begin with a question and vaguely introduces the topic. Provides a vague statement of the position but does not include the reasons supporting it. Does not provide a preview of the aim and procedure of the paper, or provides one that is very vague or unclear.
Non-Performance - The introduction is either nonexistent or lacks the basic components described in the assignment.
Explanation and Demonstration of Moral Reasoning
Total: 6.00
Distinguished - Clearly and thoroughly explains and demonstrates the approach to moral reasoning deemed the strongest for this question and shows how that reasoning supports the position. Meaningfully refers to at least two of the major approaches examined in the course, and accurately explains the main features of each theory.
Proficient - Explains and demonstrates the approach to moral reasoning deemed the strongest for this question and shows how that reasoning supports the position. The explanation and/or demonstration may be slightly vague or underdeveloped. Refers to at least two of the major approaches examined in the course, and explains the main features of each theory with some minor inaccuracies or ambiguity.
Basic - Explains and demonstrates the approach to moral reasoning deemed the strongest for this question and shows how that reasoning supports the position. The explanation and/or demonstration may be highly vague or underdeveloped. Refers to at least two of the major approaches examined in the course, and partially explains the main features of at least one theory with some significant inaccuracies or ambiguity.
Below Expectations - Attempts to explain and demonstrate the approach to moral reasoning deemed the strongest for this question and show how that reasoning supports the position; however, the explanation and/or demonstration may be significantly vague or underdeveloped. Refers to one or none of the major approaches examined in the course, but does not accurately explain the main features of any theory.
Non-Performance - The demonstration of the approach to moral reasoning is either nonexistent or lack the basic components described in the assignment instructions.
Objection and Response
Total: 2.00
Distinguished - Raises a plausible objection to the argument offered in the previous section, and provides a thorough, detailed response. The objection and response are strong and clear.
Proficient - Raises a plausible objection to the argument offered in the previous section, and provides a response. The objection and/or response may be slightly weak or unclear.
Basic - Raises a somewhat plausible objection to the argument offered in the previous section, and provides a vague response. The objection and/or response may be weak or unclear.
Below Expectations - Attempts to raise a plausible objection to the argument offered in the previous section; however, the objection and/or response are significantly weak or unclear, or the response is missing.
Non-Performance - The objection and response are either nonexistent or lacks the basic components described in the assignment instructions.
Conclusion
Total: 1.00
Distinguished - Provides a well-developed and clear conclusion that concisely summarizes the paper and presents a rephrased statement of the thesis.
Proficient - Provides a conclusion that summarizes the paper and presents a rephrased statement of the thesis, but one of these is slightly unclear or underdeveloped.
Basic - Provides a conclusion that partially summarizes the paper and presents a limited rephrased statement of the thesis. One of these is unclear and/or underdeveloped.
Below Expectations - Attempts to provide a conclusion; however, does not provide a summary of the paper and does not present a rephrased statement of the thesis. Both are significantly unclear and underdeveloped.
Non-Performance - The conclusion is either nonexistent or lacks the basic components described in the assignment instructions.
Resources Requirement
Total: 2.00
Distinguished - Cites at least two of the readings from the list of acceptable resources, one for each of the two theories, and two more resources either from the required or recommended material or scholarly resources found in the Ashford University Library. The sources are pertinent and effectively used.
Proficient - Cites at least one of the readings from the list of acceptable resources pertaining to the theories, and three more resources either from the required or recommended material or scholarly sources found in the Ashford University Library. One or two of the resources may be only somewhat pertinent and effectively used.
Basic - Cites at least one of the readings from the list of acceptable resources pertaining to the theories, and one or two sources either from the required or recommended material or scholarly sources found in the Ashford University Library. Or cites at least four scholarly sources, but does not include one of the readings from the list of acceptable resources pertaining to the theories.
Below Expectations - Includes sources, but fulfills only one or none of the resource requirements. Resources are not scholarly or representative of those required by the instructions and/or the resources are not used to properly support the positions in the paper.
Non-Performance - The use of resources is either nonexistent or lacks the basic components described in the assignment instructions.
Organization
Total: 0.50
Distinguished - The paper displays coherent organization.
Proficient - The paper is mostly well organized but has some minor problem areas, such as unnecessary tangents, lack of transitions between a few paragraphs, or a slightly incoherent structure.
Basic - The paper is somewhat well organized but has one or two significant problem areas, such as unnecessary tangents of substantial length, disjointed paragraphs, or a very incoherent structure.
Below Expectations - The paper is largely disorganized, and has many problem areas such as unnecessary tangents of substantial length, disjointed paragraphs, and a very incoherent structure.
Non-Performance - The paper does not show any signs of having been thoughtfully crafted, and lacks the basic elements of a coherent essay.
Written Communication: Control of Syntax and Mechanics
Total: 0.50
Distinguished - Displays meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains no errors and is very easy to understand.
Proficient - Displays comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains only a few minor errors and is mostly easy to understand.
Basic - Displays basic comprehension of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains a few errors which may slightly distract the reader.
Below Expectations - Fails to display basic comprehension of syntax or mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains major errors which distract the reader.
Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.
Written Communication: APA Formatting
Total: 0.50
Distinguished - Accurately uses APA formatting consistently throughout the paper, title page, and reference page.
Proficient - Exhibits APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout contains a few minor errors.
Basic - Exhibits limited knowledge of APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout does not meet all APA requirements.
Below Expectations - Fails to exhibit basic knowledge of APA formatting. There are frequent errors, making the layout difficult to distinguish as APA.
Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.
Written Communication: Word Requirement
Total: 0.50
Distinguished - The length of the paper is equivalent to the required number of words.
Proficient - The length of the paper is nearly equivalent to the required number of words.
Basic - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least three quarters of the required number of words.
Below Expectations - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least one half of the required number of words.
Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.
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