The Critique of Cultural Relativism
PROMPT
- In class we discussed James Rachels’ critique of Cultural Relativism. Do you find his criticisms persuasive? Why or why not?
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
- Response paper should be submitted by using the submission link at the top of the page. Please attach as a Microsoft Word attachment. Do not attach in any alternative formats, PDF, RFT, etc.
- Save your paper with your name name in the title, for example, “Smith.Response Paper”.
EVALUATION GUIDELINES
- Evaluation guidelines are stated on the Paper Rubric, located below.
Rubric
Response Paper RubricResponse Paper RubricCriteriaRatingsPtsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThesis StatementStudent must provide a thesis statement that: (a) states positing that will be defended, (b) provides a brief overview as to how it will be defended.
- 5 to >4.0 pts Excellent Student provides thesis statement that provides reader a clear sense of what the paper will defend, and how it will be defended.
- 4 to >3.0 pts Good Student provides thesis statement that provides reader a clear sense of what the paper will defend, but lacks some details concerning how it will be defended.
- 3 to >0.0 pts Fair Student provides thesis statement, but it lacks specificity/is vague and fails to provide reader with clear direction of the paper’s purpose.
- 0 pts Poor Student provides no thesis statement.
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Engagement With Readings and LecturesStudent is graded on:
(1) level of detail
(2) level of accuracy.
- 30 to >28.0 pts Excellent Student engages with readings/lectures at a significant level of detail and contains no errors.
- 28 to >25.5 pts Good Student engages with readings/lectures at a suitable level of detail and is free of major errors.
- 25.5 to >21.0 pts Fair Student engages with readings/lectures some but (a) lacks sufficient detail, or (b) contains notable errors.
- 21 to >0 pts Poor Student: (a) fails to engage with reading/lectures, (b) engagement is very superficial, or (c) engagement contains significant errors.
30 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeArgumentationThe student’s paper must defend a position. The plausibility and cogency of argument with be graded.
- 20 to >19.0 pts Excellent The student makes a strong argument, for a clearly defined position, considers potential objections carefully, and has no obvious unargued assumptions/premises.
- 19 to >16.0 pts Good The student makes a reasonable argument, for a clearly defined position. Their argument may contain some weaknesses or unargued assumptions/premises.
- 16 to >14.0 pts Fair The student makes an attempt to offer argumentation for a position, but (a) their position is not clearly defined, or (b) their argument lacks persuasive force.
- 14 to >0 pts Poor The student: (a) makes no argument, or (b) establishes no clear position to be defended, (c) argument lacks any persuasive force.
20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeOrganization
- 20 to >19.0 pts Excellent The student’s paper has a clear organization, and adheres exactly to the required outline
- 19 to >16.0 pts Good The student’s paper has a clear organization and mostly adheres to the required organization.
- 16 to >14.0 pts Fair The student’s paper has a discernable organization and somewhat adheres to the required outline.
- 14 to >0 pts Poor The student’s paper is highly disorganized/does not follow the required outline.
20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWriting Style
- 20 to >19.0 pts Excellent The student’s writing displays a high level of sophistication, appropriate word use, and no awkward constructions.
- 19 to >16.0 pts Good The student’s writing displays an appropriate (college) level of sophistication, but may contain some awkward or vague constructions.
- 16 to >14.0 pts Fair The student’s writing displays average level of sophistication and some awkward/vague/obscure constructions.
- 14 to >0 pts Poor The student’s writing lacks sophistication, or contains numerous awkward constructions.
20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeGrammar
- 5 to >4.0 pts Excellent Student’s paper contains no grammatical errors.
- 4 to >3.0 pts Good Student’s paper contains few grammatical errors.
- 3 to >2.0 pts Fair The student’s paper contains notable grammatical errors.
- 2 to >0 pts Poor The student’s paper contains significant grammatical errors5 pts