Ethical Argument (100 points):
Over the last several weeks, we’ve read a wide variety of short essays addressing various moral concerns. This final essay assignment will require you to write an argument of your own defending a moral position against reasonable objections. Use the essays we’ve read as models for your own thinking and writing. You must incorporate 3-5 research sources into your paper accurately and effectively according to MLA guidelines (8/9th ed.). This includes both in-text citations as well as a Works Cited page.
Your essay must be 6-8 pages (including your Works Cited page), typed double-spaced, with normal 1″ margins and size 12 font. Format your essay according to MLA guidelines.
Due Dates
No late essays will be accepted without prior approval.
*If you want to participate in peer review, you must submit your first draft on time. Late first drafts will not be reviewed. Please see the syllabus policy regarding the importance of peer review and the penalty for not participating fully in the peer-review process.
Options – Choose one of the following assignments:
1. Begin with a question raised directly in one of the essays in Modern Ethics in 77 Arguments. You might start with an essay title (such as “How Should We Respond to ‘Evil?'”) or a question raised in the body of an essay (such as “…when, if ever, is it right to vote simply for the sake of your own self-interest?”). Write an essay addressing the moral question by arguing a position of your own. Research the topic and incorporate 3-4 credible sources (the essay in which the question is raised may be used as a source) to provide accurate information and reliable argumentative support.
2. The editors of Modern Ethics in 77 Arguments organize essays according to the subject matter (e.g. religion, government, violence, race, eating, etc. — see Table of Contents). Choose one of these subjects to explore in-depth. Write an essay incorporating three of the essays in that category. On your own, formulate a central ethical question related to your reading of the three essays. For example, you might read a selection of essays on “race” in our book and write an essay addressing the question, “Does the U.S. have a moral obligation to provide reparations to descendants of American slaves?” Incorporate the authors’ viewpoints into your essay and defend a position of your own. The three essays will satisfy your research requirement, but you can conduct additional research if necessary.
3. Using the essays in Modern Ethics in 77 Arguments as a model for your own thinking and writing, research a contemporary ethical issue and present an ethical argument of your own. Begin with a question: Are vaccine mandates ethical during a global pandemic? Does the United States have a moral responsibility to support Ukraine? etc. Write an essay incorporating 4-5 research sources that represent varying viewpoints and defend a position of your own. *Before starting your research, email your question to me for approval.
Remember, these are complex issues. Don’t settle for easy answers and feeble arguments. Use your critical thinking skills to probe the topic and challenge your audience. Always assume that your reader is intelligent, educated, and skeptical. Be sure to address any objections that such a reader might raise. Present credible evidence and sound reasoning to support your claims.
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