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RAAI Project: Philosophy Assignment

Researching, Analyzing, and Advocating Ideas (RAAI)

In addition to doing the research, this assignment entails three parts that you should complete in order and submit all together:

1. Research—finding articles that argue for/against a contentious issue
   1. Annotated Bibliography—listing and summarizing articles
   2. Argument Reconstruction—placing arguments in standard form
   3. Essay or Video Presentation—critically evaluating arguments

RESEARCH [Preparing for the assignment]

Choose a contentious issue from the list provided (on page 3) or get verification from the instructor on an issue of your choice. Use our library’s resources to find credible sources that present arguments on opposing sides of the issue you selected. You may have to skim abstracts, summaries, and introductions in order to find appropriate sources so give yourself ample time to do research and be patient. Two of your sources must be found using the university library’s resources: go to library.sfsu.edu or library.csun.edu and use the databases provided (OneSearch, the Library Catalog, the library’s extensive Article Databases). Follow the guidelines in CT Ch. 5 to ensure the authorities you appeal to (i.e., the authors) meet the appropriate criteria.

PART 1: ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

On a separate page or slide, construct a bibliography listing all the sources that you use [you should have at least FOUR (two independent sources for each opposing side of your issue)]. Use standard citation guidelines (i.e. choose either the MLA or APA and follow guidelines provided by their respective manuals). After each entry in the bibliography, briefly summarize the content of your sources and whatever arguments within (this is what makes it “annotated”). NOTE: If you use an online citation generator, you must proofread the citation; do not include an “n.d.” or “n.p.” unless you truly cannot find any date or publisher info for the source.

PART 2: ARGUMENT RECONSTRUCTION

On a separate page or slide, present TWO arguments―one from each opposing position on the issue. That is, once you have understood the arguments—distinguishing the apparent essential information from extraneous material and unsupported opinions—resolve the main conclusion and basic premises (state any implicit premises). Write the argument in standard form (line-by-line)—perhaps in a standard argument form as presented in the textbook. Then, use terms from CT Ch. 1-7 or the “Deductive Logic” PDF to briefly describe each argument (Are the arguments meant to be deductive or inductive? If deductive, do they use one or more of the valid argument forms? If inductive, what kind are they?). If you do well in this part of the assignment, Part 3 should be much, much easier.

PART 3: ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY OR VIDEO PRESENTATION

In a 2-page essay (500+ words double-spaced) or 10 min. video (with accompanying slideshow or handout), critically evaluate the contentious issue and the arguments on both sides. Consider the merits of each argument presented in Part 2 and decide which argument is stronger using criteria and critical questions presented in the reading. The THESIS of this essay should be a specific answer to one of the questions at the end of this document.

RUBRIC

PART 1 (20 pts.) 

• There are at least FOUR entries in total within your bibliography [8]
• TWO articles were found using the library resources [2]
• Use standard citation guidelines (MLA, APA, or Chicago) for all entries [6]
• After every entry, briefly note which library resources were used and summarize the content of each source and why the sources should be considered legitimate authorities using CT Ch. 5 [4]
  • I will give 1 of extra credit for every additional article you list and annotate (maximum of 3 pts. extra credit possible).

PART 2 (20 pts.) 

• Identify and present the main conclusions of the TWO arguments [4]
• Identify and present the basic premises of the TWO arguments [4]
  • State any implicit premises that are necessary to make the arguments valid or strong
• Present the reasoning to the main conclusion neatly in standard form [6]
• Describe each argument using terms drawn from our reading, indicating any argument forms that are being used [6 pts.]

PART 3 (30 pts.)

• The essay is 2+ pages (500+ words) or 10 min. video [8]
• Present a clear, explicit, easy-to-spot thesis expressing your informed decision on the issue based on the evidence-at-hand [4]
• Your body paragraphs each focus on the basic premises and the reasons from which you arrived at your position (one reason per paragraph; use topic sentences) [8]
• Briefly consider an objection to your argument, one an informed person might make (you don’t have to be very thorough but try to be charitable; clarify any ambiguity using the guidelines from CT Ch. 3) [6]
• Your conclusion is merely a recapitulation of your thesis and the reasons for your thesis; do not elaborate any more on your argument [4]

LIST OF CONTEMPORARY MORAL ISSUES

The following are contentious moral issues that are regularly politicized. These issues are presented as questions so that the opposing sides are clear: one side would answer “yes” and the other “no.” [The position you take in your essay, though, may want to acknowledge nuance (“Yes, but…”, “No, but…”, “No, unless…”, etc.)]

• Is abortion immoral?
• Should human cloning be banned?
• Is genetic modification of human beings acceptable?
• Should drugs be legalized?
• Is gambling immoral?
• Is affirmative action fair?
• Should licensing for handguns be more restrictive?
• Should the death penalty be abolished?
• Is torture ever morally justified?
• Is war ever morally justified?
• Is physician-assisted suicide wrong?
• Does morality require vegetarianism?
• Should young adults pursue a college education despite the costs?
• Should we open our country’s borders?

There are many other issues you can tackle concerning different topics:

• Legal rights of transgender people (e.g., restroom policies)
• Encouraging environmental trends (e.g., electric cars, solar panels)
• Corporate social responsibility (e.g., pollution regulations, charity, tax breaks)
• The moral status of non-human animals (e.g., animal testing, veganism)
• Paternalistic health policies (e.g., food options in schools)
• Issues on the segregation or desegregation of genders
• Issues on divorce, incest, polygamy
• Issues of morality and religion