Ethics and Development

Assignment:

Please analyze and comparisons two writer of the ideas and the content of the authors’ arguments from a single week; or if that is not possible, you can compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of their arguments while putting forward your own perspective with regard to whether you agree or disagree with one or the other or neither. The the only reason I highlight some in yellow in the syllabus is to focus your attention on them for our class discussions.

Make sure you have a thesis statement somewhere at the beginning of your paper. Typically it is good to have it in the first paragraph. An example is this: “In this paper, I wish to explore the limits and challenges of applying Nickel’s eight responses to the relativist while arguing that the ideas of Barry can be used to question the notion that rights can be realized universally in every culture and at all times.” The thesis statement is not what the paper is about (or not only what it is exploring) but what argument you intend to make. What action, perspective, or position will you take beyond summarizing what the authors are saying? For example, this is not a thesis statement: “I will analyze Nickel’s book, Making Sense of Human Rights.” (Keep in mind that Nickel’s book is not assigned in this class. It is just an example.) Another simple example is this scenario.

The paper should be 5-6 double-spaced pages. DO NOT go over 6 double-spaced pages. There are a lot of students in the class and limited time for me to provide comments, and I like to give as many comments in track changes as possible so it can help you in terms of future writing and research. I will explain to you how much work goes into providing comments on your papers: they are for your short and long-term benefits. Your grade will be assessed by the following criteria:

· Strength, power, and clarity of your thesis statement and what it intends to argue

· Ability to critically analyze the readings and demonstrate an understanding of its basic concepts by putting them in your own words and not just repeating the technical jargon or well-known statements/phrases of the authors

· Strength of reasoning and logic to critically question the ideas and assumptions of the authors and not just summarize their main ideas

· Organization of the paper- proper introduction, main body, and conclusion

· Transitional flow of the paper from one section to another- the aim is to explore one topic and one argument in-depth and not try to write superficially on several different, disconnected topics within the same paper

· Ability to dissect the complexity of the ideas you are reading and to offer your perspectives and interpretations of the complexity of ethics, rights, and development, even beyond what the authors have said

· Proper citation according to the APA—summarizing in your own words and quoting phrases from the readings. Sample citation- Sen (2009) argues that “X +Y= Z” (p. 280). See this link for the rule- https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/02/

· Truly creative insights you may have that the authors in the readings did not express or articulate regarding ethics, human rights, and development issues, beyond your explanations of the gaps and limits of the authors’ ideas and arguments

· Separation of your own ideas and words/voice from that of the authors, or trying to develop your own thoughts independently from the authors with your own style of persuasion

· Overall ability to impress an intelligent and informed reader of the power of your argument, the strength of your ideas, the clarity of your writing, and the significance of your insights and conclusions