Essay Question Workshop
Essay Question Workshop
The final assessment for this course requires you to write a short essay in which you will explore a question you have posed about an ethical dilemma by taking a particular theoretical position and arguing your case.
To start, think about a topic or problem you are interested in exploring and post your general idea
You can make your first post at any point from the start of semester until the end of week 5).
Next Steps
Once you have posted your idea, the course coordinator will reply with follow up questions/comments to help you think through how to refine your idea. Replies won't be immediate, but you should get a response within a week. This will start a conversational thread about your final essay question that will continue at least until you submit your essay plan (Assessment Task 2 - Essay Plan).
Your peers may also comment on your posts, and you on theirs,butif you are commenting on another student's post, remember that it is not your place to "fix" their ideas! You are welcome to ask questions of each other, share resources, or offer encouragement. You arenot requiredto comment on anyone else's thread.
Assessment Task 2 - Essay Plan
Essay Plan
Length approximately 800 words
Overview of Task
The final assessment for this course requires you to write a short essay in which you will explore a question you have posed about an ethical dilemma by taking a particular theoretical position and arguing your case. This assessment will prepare you for the final assessment.
Over the first 7 weeks of the semester you will have the opportunity to workshop and refine your final essay question with the course coordinator and your peers via posting in the Essay Question Workshop discussion board. Taking part in this process is part of the assessment criteria for your essay plan, and your first post must be made by 11:59pm Sunday 21 August.
Your essay plan will:
State the ethical dilemma question you will explore in your final essay;Discuss what makes this issue an ethical dilemma;Identify the two main opposing ethical frameworks you will use to explore the question in your final essay;State what position you will be arguing in your final essay;Identify two course readings and two independently sourced readings that you will be drawing upon to make your argument; and
Consider how the identified references will be used in your essay.
Assessment Criteria
You will be assessed on (scroll down for detailed rubric):
Workshopping of Essay Question
Participation in essay question workshop and development of essay question
Consideration of Ethical Dilemma
Understanding of ethical dilemma
Identification of two opposing ethical frameworks
Clear statement of your position
Essay Plan
Appropriate choice of literature (two course readings and two independently sourced readings)
Consideration of how literature will be used in essay
Written expression and referencing
Assessment Task 3 - Formal Essay
Formal Essay
Length - 2500 words +/- 10% (not including reference list)
Overview of Task
In the second assessment you will have developed an ethical question to explore in your final essay. Now, you will answer your question by taking a particular ethical position and arguing your case. Use the course materials to argue for your position on this ethical dilemma.
Your task is to explore how the ethical issue is understood through two or more of the ethical frameworks we have explored in the course, and make an argument for why the dilemma should be addressed through your favoured framework. This is not about you putting forward the 'right' position, but that you have reasoned through your position.
In this essay, you are not exploring this issue in a policy context, but rather be clear on the reasoned position of your own ethical stance.
Required References:
You must use a minimum of four (4) assigned readings from the course to argue your position. Additionally, you are required to undertake independent research and include a minimum of six (6) references from credible sources (media sources such as news articles and press releases do not count).
Assessment Criteria
You will be assessed on (scroll down for detailed rubric):
Structure - Do you organise your paper well, with an introduction that sets up your paper, body paragraphs that each make a specific contribution that clearly relate to your overarching task, and a conclusion that sums up the argument and ties the paper together?
Claims and Evidence - Are your interpretations credible and supported by appropriate evidence, including both course readings and independently researched sources?
Writing - Do you demonstrate a mastery of the conventions of formal professional writing?
Referencing - Do you use proper Harvard or APA citation and referencing conventions, including page numbers for all quotations, paraphrases, and other references to specific passages?
