Decision-making and Philosophy Part II: Philosophy and the Community

Whereas Part I focused on how you as an individual are impacted by a particular decision, Part II focuses on the individual as a member of a community. Thus, you will write an eight- to ten-page research paper based upon a current event/pressing social issue that is relevant to your community. You should address the following points in your analysis:

1) Identify a social issue
2) Identify news articles that present at least two different points-of-view on the issue
3) Explain why the issue is relevant to your community
4) Explain the nature of religious belief and identify the social norms and religious values/beliefs that inform the various perspectives on the issue
5) Explain a relevant ethical theory
6) Explain a relevant political theory
Analyze how the chosen theories might approach the issue, including the relevant considerations and the ultimate conclusion reached. You will be expected to explain the relevant theories with support from the course texts (with particular emphasis placed on the primary texts) and from pre-approved secondary sources (including, but not limited to, the course text, online lectures, and a list of suggested online resources).

Submit your assignment in the W5: Assignment 2 Dropbox by Tuesday, February 3, 2015.

Assignment 2 Grading Criteria
Maximum Points
Identified a current event/pressing social issue that is relevant to their community
10
Identified authoritative scholarly articles and news articles that present at least two different points-of-view on the issue
10
Explained the nature of religious belief and identified the social norms and religious beliefs/values that inform the various perspectives on the issue
30
Explained a relevant ethical theory with support from primary texts and authoritative secondary sources.
50
Explained a relevant political theory with support from primary texts and authoritative secondary sources.
50
Analyzed how the chosen theories might approach the decision
90
Used correct grammar and spelling.
5
Conformed to APA citation and page length guidelines (8-10 pages).
5
Total: