Ethical Systems/Final Research Paper Using the written and lecture-based tools that have been supplied during the course of this grading period, you are to perform an ethical analysis on a topic of your choosing. My strong advice to you is to pick a subject in which there is no clear-cut answer to any debate you might pose. The issues can range from the exploration of intellectual property ownership, stem-cell cloning, abortion, euthanasia, etc. to more personal subjects such as the ethical nature of your individual five-year career plan or your break-up from a loved one. The ideal topic would allow you to use the systems of thought that we studied as tools to truly investigate an issue without necessarily coming to a simple conclusion. Important Due Dates 1. PAPER TOPIC due Friday, March 17. You only need to send a sentence or two via email, and your topic can be broad in scope. Be sure to send this to me by the due date or you will lose credit for this portion of the assignment. 2. RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS due Monday, April 10 through Wednesday, April 19. You will need to prepare a presentation of your research that will comprise 15% of the grade for your final research paper. Please note, you will NOT present your paper, but will present an annotated bibliography of your research to date. Your presentation should adhere to the following guidelines: a. Your presentation should be between 5 and 7 minutes long. You will be CUT OFF when the seven-minute mark is reached. b. Your presentation will include the list of sources that may come into play in your final draft. Because you are presenting an annotated bibliography, be sure to include a few sentences as to the relevancy, accuracy, and reasoning behind each source. c. You will need to include a working thesis in your presentation, though this can change in your final draft. d. If you are presenting video, it cannot be more than 1 minute long. e. Do not read from any slides or visual information that you may include in your presentation. Any visual information should be ancillary to your oral information. f. Be prepared to defend your choices as I will ask you pointed questions regarding your work. g. Be sure to submit via email your annotated bibliography and working thesis on the same day as your presentation. 3. FINAL DRAFT due Monday, April 24, 12:00 pm (afternoon). Please email your final research paper to me via MS Word attachment AND by cutting/pasting the entire document into the body of your email. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION EMAIL BACK, I DID NOT RECEIVE YOUR ESSAY AND YOU WILL LOSE ALL CREDIT FOR THIS REQUIREMENT. NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED... PERIOD! Your final draft should adhere to the following guidelines: a. Your paper cannot be less than 2,200 words long. This is not counting any headers/footers, works cited page, or the title. If your paper is even one word less than the length requirement, I will take 25% off your paper. b. You will need to use a minimum of three separate sources from the assigned readings (though as always, you are invited to use more if you like). You should demonstrate in your writing that you understand the nuances of the various theorists positions as they explicate their philosophic stances. Be sure to use M.L.A. methods of citation when quoting or paraphrasing their writing. c. You will need to use outside research to flesh out your debate. You should be able to demonstrate your ability to choose appropriate research materials that relate to your topic. Obviously you should avoid citing such sources as Wikipedia, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, and general encyclopedias and dictionaries (though all these sources can be useful places to begin your research). Your citation materials should show they were carefully selected for their academic nature, relevance to the subject matter, and level of depth. d. You will need to use M.L.A. citation methods. A.P.A. is not acceptable. Criteria for Evaluation of the Research Paper 1. EVIDENCE OF AN ORIGINAL ANALYSISMore than anything, I will be looking for evidence of your personal thought processes in your analysis of your topic. Be bold enough to disregard the professional and amateur pundits that may be included in your research. 2. PROFICIENT APPLICATION OF THE ASSIGNED ESSAYSThis item is one of the primary elements on which I will assess your essay. You will need to demonstrate through the use of effective quotation and synopsis that you understand the nuances of the writers ideas. When quoting a text successfully, you should provide greater context for the quotation by relating it to the essay as a whole and to the subject you are discussing. 3. EFFECTIVE WRITING SKILLSIn your essay, I will assess your ability to craft a successful argument that is cited correctly using M.L.A. format and free of spelling, grammar, and syntax errors. Your writing should follow an organized, well thought-out essay structure that includes a clearly stated thesis that is appropriately qualified. You should be able to state your argument in the beginning of your writing, subsequently lead your reader through logically presented supporting information, and end with an interesting conclusion that is distinct from the thesis. Things to avoid in your paper: 1. PERSONAL EXPERIENCES AND DECLARATIONS OF TASTEIn your essay, you should not include your own, unedited thought processes regarding any personal impressions of your topic. It takes some considerable skill in writing to effectively harness the first person I in an academic paper. Instead, provide your analysis using a neutral, academic tone. 2. YOUR BAD SPELLING AND GRAMMARI should not have to tell you this, but please proofread your papers before submitting them to me. Correct your spelling mistakes, improper grammar, sloppy syntax, poor word choice, and unorganized essay structure. i picked abortion