Ashford 4: – Week 3 – Assignment

Applying an Ethical Theory
 

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.
 

Overview
The following short essay assignment is designed to help prepare you for an important part of the Final Paper. In this essay, you will do the following: Choose either utilitarian or deontological ethical      theory to apply it to an ethical question. Explain the core principles of that theory. Demonstrate how the principles of the theory support a      certain position on that question. Articulate a relevant objection to the theory on the      basis of that argument.

 Instructions
Write a five paragraph essay that conforms to the requirements below. The paper must be 600 to 900 words in length (excluding title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. The paragraphs of your essay should conform to the following guidelines: Introduction
     The introduction should be one paragraph, no more than 120 words. This      should clearly delimit the ethical problem or question under      consideration, and define the essential issues. The last sentence of the      introduction should briefly summarize the conclusion or position on this      issue that you think is best supported by this theory, and succinctly      state what the objection will be. Remember that your essay will not be      concerned with your own position on this issue, but what someone defending      the chosen theory would conclude.
  Body Paragraphs
     Each paragraph in the body should start with a topic sentence that clearly      identifies the main idea of the paragraph. Each paragraph should have at      least four sentences.  Theory explanation:
      This should be approximately 150 to 200 words explaining the core       principles or features of the deontological or utilitarian theory and the       general account of moral behavior it provides.  You must quote from at least one required resource        that defends or represents that theory. Please view this list of acceptable resources. Application:
      This should be approximately 150 to 200 words addressing how these       principles or features of the deontological or utilitarian theory apply       to the problem or question under consideration and identify the specific       moral conclusion that results when these theories are applied to that       problem or question.  Your application should clearly show how the        conclusion follows from the main tenets of the theory as addressed in        the previous paragraph. Please see the associated guidance for help in        fulfilling this requirement. Objection:
      This should be approximately 150 to 200 words raising a relevant       objection to the argument expressed in part “b”. A relevant       objection is one that exposes a weakness in the theory as it applies to       your problem, and so you should explain how it brings out this weakness.  Note that this does not necessarily mean that the        objection succeeds, or that the conclusion the theory supports is wrong.        It may be an obstacle that any adequate defense of the conclusion would        have to overcome, and it may be the case that the theory has the        resources to overcome that obstacle. Your task here is simply to raise        the objection or present the “obstacle”.
  Conclusion
     The conclusion should be one paragraph, no more than 150 words. The      conclusion should very briefly summarize the main points of your essay and      must contain a paraphrased restatement of your thesis.

 Resources Requirements: You must use at least two resources to support your      claims. At least one of the resources should directly represent      the theory you have chosen. Please view this list of acceptable resources. The other source should pertain to the particular issue      you are writing about, and should be drawn from the Required or      Recommended Readings in the course or found in the Ashford University      Library. You are encouraged to use additional resources, so long      as at least two conform to the requirements above. The textbook does not count toward satisfying the      resources requirement. To count toward satisfying the requirement, resources      must be cited within the body of your paper and on the reference page and      formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing      Center.

 The Ashford Writing Center (AWC)  has two kinds of tutoring available to you. Live Chat – If you have writing-related questions about a topic      before you draft a discussion post or submit a written assignment, you      will now be able to chat live with a tutor for a short (up to 20 minute)      conversation. Live Chat will be available Monday through Friday from      10:00-11:00 am and 4:00-5:00 pm (PST). AWC Live Chat Email Paper Review – If you have a draft, partial draft, or even if      you’re having trouble getting started, you can complete a submission form      and email your paper to the AWC for review.  Writing Tutors will do their best to return your paper       with their comments within 48 hours, not including Saturdays and Sundays.       Please plan accordingly if you would like to receive feedback before an       assignment due date. AWC Email Paper Review 

 Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.
 

Late Policy: Written assignments (essays, journals, presentations) are due on the specified days in the course. Written assignments will be subject to a late penalty of up to 10% per day up to three days late. If written assignments are submitted after 72 hours past the due date, instructors can give a penalty up to and including a grade of 0 for the assignment.