A Research Project: A paper focusing on a clearly framed case study of the ethics of sustainable development will be given a maximum weight of 50 points. This includes (a) a topic proposal, which will be due immediately after spring break (details below), and (b) a final paper, which will be due during the final exam period.
The following are guidelines for researching, organizing and writing your final paper.
A. 4 subheadings, the paper should be organized and constructed as follows:
1. Introduction
A precise and concise introductory statement of the aim of the inquiry: e.g. the aim is to explore (a) case X, involving (b) organization Y, with a view to (c) sustainability ethics understood to be a type of modern practical ethics. Briefly explain what you see to be the main facts and features of the case. (Avoid excessive technical detail.)
2. Conceptual Review
A conceptual review and explanation of the aspects of sustainability ethics most pertinent to your case. Explain (a) whether their (1) global dimension (the 6 traditional ethics terms), and/or their (2) scientific dimension (the rationality-sensitivity ethics core, and the many disciplinary inputs), and/or their (3) pragmatic dimension (the ethics gradations) are primarily concerned; (b) the relevance of a particular SDG; and (c) whether (1) sectoral justice, (2) environmental justice or (3) earth justice is primarily concerned. (Utilize readings and lecture material wherever pertinent, citing appropriately.)
3. Detailed Exploration
A detailed exploration of the selected organization, indicating its objectives and/or agenda, and its involvement in the case under discussion. Scrutinize the organizations code of ethics, and its vision, mission and values statements, determining whether a values/actions gap is evident.
4. Thematic Discussion
A thematic discussion of the case as a whole. Explain how the case illustrates or elucidates sustainability ethics, including the challenges with which these meet and contend in the context of (1) extreme environmental damages and related human harms (climatological, chemical, ecological and biological damages and harms), (2) the excessive distance (temporal, spatial and situational) typically involved, and (3) the slowness of unsustainable human motivational and behavioral change despite the rapidity, by contrast, of unsustainable environmental bio-spherical change (resulting primarily from deglaciation, toxification, de-habitation and extinction).
B. Formatting details include the following:
1. The text should be a minimum of 3,500 words in length. (Important: The text excludes endnotes and bibliographysee #7 below).
2. The font size should be 11 or 12.
3. The left, right, top and bottom sides of each page should have a 1-inch margin.
4. Endnotes should be used (not footnotes or parenthetical notes) and should be situated sequentially (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.) on pages following the text.
5. Textual citations for endnotes should appear in Arabic, not Roman superscript form.
6. The bibliography should be situated on pages following the endnotes (i.e., the line-up should be: text with subheadings, any appendices, endnotes, bibliography).
7. The word count should be provided at the end of the text (and neither the endnotes nor the bibliography should be included in the word countsee #1 above).
8. Citations, endnotes and bibliography should be prepared in Chicago Style, using the guidelines provided at this link: https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide/citation-guide-1.html
9. Any images, photos, diagrams, models, graphs, tables, charts, etc. should be situated on pages titled Appendix, following the text (see #6 above).
10. All pages should be numbered, and the text should be double-spaced but not blocked.
11. Ensure that your name is on your paper, and preferably on each page in the header.
C. The research base should be constituted as follows:
1. Include a minimum of 20 sources.
2. Among them should be: (1) 5 scholarly books or book chapters, (2) 5 articles from different scholarly journals; (3) 5 ethics-based organizations (see syllabus web links); (4) 5 documentary sources (e.g., UN or government documents, including data bases; appropriate films/videos; news media investigative series; reports offered by relevant organizations).
3. At least 3 of the sources should be drawn from our course readings (including journal articles and relevant websites).
4. In the bibliography, the sources should be listed alphabetically, within the 4 categories indicated above (#2); and an asterisk should be placed by the sources drawn from our course readings.
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