PHIL347N 2020 November Week 1 Course Project Latest

PHIL347N Critical Reasoning

Week 1 Course Project  

Topic Selection

Required Resources

Read/review the following resources for this activity:

Textbook: Chapter 1, 2, 3

Lesson

Introduction

Over the eight weeks of the course, you will work on a paper that addresses a current controversial issue. This paper is to be in the form of an argument. You will select a topic, choose an issue related to that topic, thoroughly research both sides of the issue, and then write a paper that supports one side or the other of the issue. Your paper must define the issue, present evidence on both sides of the issue, and then argue that one side is stronger and more persuasive than the other. Your paper must address at least three relevant aspects of the issue. More specific directions for each part of the paper will be found within the specific assignment in the weekly modules.

Here is a brief breakdown of the project so that you can plan your time in the course:

Week

Task

Week 1

Topic Selection

Week 3

Issue Review (both sides)

Week 5

Thesis & Annotated Bibliography (both sides)

Week 7

Argumentative Paper

Instructions

This week, you will choose one of the following topics for your project:

Immigration

Gene therapy

Single-payer health care

Free college for everyone

Cancel student-loan indebtedness

Capital punishment

Universal basic income

Artificial intelligence

Care of the aging

Legalization of prostitution

Euthanasia

If you want to propose a different topic, you must have the consent of your instructor. When you choose a topic, think of specific issues under that topic that you will explore. Click on the following link for an example:

Link: Immigration Topic Example

For the assignment this week, address the following:

State the topic chosen from the list or topic approved by instructor.

State the specific issue you will explore.

This must be stated either as a question ("Should prostitution be legalized?") or a whether-or-not statement ("Whether prostitution should be legalized").

For the stated issue, state three (3) aspects of the issue that you think you will likely develop in your paper. Briefly state why you have chosen each aspect.

You are not confined to three aspects only, but you must develop at least three. As you develop your paper, you may find other aspects that you deem more relevant, and may add or substitute those.

Example: For the topic of prostitution, you might examine the aspect of personal autonomy, public health aspects, and law enforcement aspects, at a minimum.

Example: For the topic of free healthcare for undocumented persons, you might address economic aspects, ethical aspects, and public health aspects, at a minimum.

Writing Requirements (APA format)

Length: 1-1.5 pages (not including title page or references page)

1-inch margins

Double spaced

12-point Times New Roman font

Title page

References page