Research & Summaries Question

INTRODUCTION TO SIGNATURE ASSIGNMENT

The Signature assignment is a critical essay due the last day of class. This assignment is introduced here to get students thinking about it–NO WORK RELATED TO THE SIGNATURE ASSIGNMENT IS DUE THIS WEEK.

In the SIGNATURE ASSIGNMENT students will demonstrate their critical thinking skills, and practice written communication and information literacy skills, by addressing a problem/issue directly relevant to the current legislative policy and political debate. The goal of the Signature Assignment is to achieve a critically informed position on an issue of contemporary importance that will serve as a foundation for civic engagement and informed participation in democratic processes. Therefore, the Signature Assignment involves applying critical thinking in what is known as ‘civic learning’.

WHAT IS CIVC LEARNING?

Civic learning can be generally defined, borrowing from the language of A Crucible Moment, published by the Association of American Colleges and Universities, as learning that promotes a “more informed, engaged, and socially responsible citizenry.” In this exercise students will develop knowledge and exercise skills that will contribute to the growth of civic learning. It is hoped that students will carry on with this kind of learning, in all its aspects, in their future personal and professional lives.

WHAT SHOULD THE SIGNATURE ASSIGNMENT LOOK LIKE? WHAT ARE THE INSTRUCTIONS?

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE SIGNATURE ASSIGNMENT

Students will be required to take a position “YES” or “NO” on ONE specific issue and provide substantive arguments supporting their position that are evidence based. Also, in the problem students will be required to consider objections to their position and arguments, and to respond to their objections.

GATHERING EVIDENCE AND INFORMATION WILL REQUIRE SOME RESEARCH.

Fair-mindedness should be practiced. Relevant questions and issue should be identified and researched. And, students should avoid fallacies, or be aware when one argues using a fallacy. This is a problem solving exercise, not a persuasive essay per sealthough persuasion is relevant.

In the last three Sessions we will cover approaches to solving this problembringing together all the material covered in the class.

• THE ESSAY SHOULD BE A MINIMUM OF 1500 (ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO WORD LIMIT)
• QUOTES MUST HAVE QUOTATION MARKS AND REFERENCES.
• USE MLA OR APA FORMAT.
• THE ESSAY MUST BE SUBMITTED TO BOTH THE TURNITIN ASSIGNMENT BOX AND THE REGULAR ASSIGNMENT BOX IN THE LAST WEEK
• THE ESSAY IS DUE THE LAST DAY OF CLASS.

WHAT THE SIGNATURE ASSIGNMENT SHOULD LOOK LIKE

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH (100-300 words minimum)

The introductory paragraph should present the following:

• State the problem and the hypothesis or proposed solution to the problem: FOR EXAMPLE, “In this essay I will argue that the terms of Proposition 64 on the California 2016, November ballot should be enacted nationally.” Or, “In this essay I will argue that Marijuana should be legalized for recreational use nationally.” Or, “In this essay I will argue that Marijuana should not be legalized for recreational use.”
• Explain or describe your general position, and any general qualifications to the proposed solutions. This will require some description of Prop. 64.

BODY OF ESSAY (PRESENTATION OF ARGUMENTS AND EVIDENCE AND RESPONSES TO OBJECTIONS)

• AT LEAST THREE ARGUMENTS FOR YOUR POSITION. There is no one way to present arguments and evidence, of course. This problem will require addressing positions on issues, issues (those issues deemed most important to the election and why). Outline the arguments for your position first. Identify the most important evidence and explain how that evidence supports your position. In stating opinions and claims, students should consider the reasons or grounds for their opinions and claims. Students should identify those key opinions and claims that support the argument and provide evidence and arguments for these claims. Opinions or claims lacking evidence and argument do not offer support for the position presented.
• EXPLAINING AND REFUTING SEVERAL OBJECTION OR COUNTER-ARGUMENT: Identify the strongest criticismS of not merely your proposed solution, but also of your argument for you solution–the arguments and evidence presented. Explain these objections, and then respond to them.

CONCLUDING REMARKS (100-300 words minimum)

In your concluding remarks you may do a variety of things: 1) summarize your position. 2) express final thoughts, convictions, or reservations 3) reflect on what additional evidence might change your way of looking at the problem 4) express your overall degree of confidence in the solution.

STEP ONE: SELECTING A TOPIC AND AN ISSUE

As it is stated above, it is recommended to address ONE of the following topics and issues.

RECOMMENDED TOPICS AND ISSUES/PROBLEMS (STUDENTS ARE ONLY REQUIRED TO RESPOND TO ONE)

TOPIC 1: The Legalization of Marijuana. ISSUE: Should Marijuana be legalized nationally according to the terms of California Prop. 64? OR, “Should Marijuana be legalized for recreational use?”

TOPIC 2: The Death Penalty: ISSUE: Should the death penalty be banned? If so, why? If not, why not?

WHAT IF I WANT TO ADDRESS ANOTHER TOPIC AND ISSUE?

It is recommended that students prepare an essay on ONE of these two issues, according to the instructions on the individual Topic page. But, if a student strongly desires to write on another topic/issue that is relevant to contemporary policy and political debate, the instructor will consider granting permission and providing guidance. The student should be able to identify a specific issue or problem, frame the issue, and construct arguments supporting their position according to the instructions.

To gain an overview of many important issues facing the citizenry in the United States the following video is recommended:

THE VIDEO IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR THE VIEWS EXPRESSED, BUT ONLY AS A RESOURCE TO GAIN AN OVERVIEW OF KEY ISSUES AND PROBLEMS IN AMERICAN POLITICS.

BILL MAHER INTERVIEW WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA

Play Video

REMEMBER, IF YOU WISH TO WRITE A CRITICAL ESSAY ABOUT A TOPIC OTHER THAN THE RECOMMENDED TOPICS, PLEASE ASK THE INSTRUCTOR FOR GUIDANCE ON HOW TO PROCEED.

OTHER POSSIBLE ISSUES/PROBLEMS FOR SIGNATURE ASSIGNMENT (PLEASE ASK THE INSTRUCTOR FOR GUIDANCE ON HOW TO BEGIN TO ADDRESS ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TOPICS):

Religion and Politics

There are many issues that could be identified. Here is one issue related to religion that has been raised and contested in the current election cycle:

Should the Federal government force Catholic institutions to offer health care plans that pay for contraception and/or elective abortion?

(Political and social issues related to religion may evoke strong reactions and emotions–if you would like to write on a topic related to religion and politics, please remember that observing and applying the Rules For Critical Living will be crucial to developing cogent arguments on the issue–to constructing strong counter-arguments, and to refuting those counter-arguments.)

Agriculture and Politics

Should GMOs be banned?

(This topic will require some scientific background knowledge as well as the analysis of scientific studies. Please do not request permission to write on this topic without taking this into account.)

Health Care

Should the Affordable Health Care Act (Obamacare) be repealed?

(This topic, and others related to health care, tend to involve a lot of background knowledge and will require a good deal of research.)

Prisons and Politics

Should private companies be permitted to operate correctional facilities?

Foreign Policy

Should the policies articulated in the National Review Posture (see below) be repealed or modified?

STEP TWO: RESEARCH

INFORMATION LITERACY AND RESEARCH

It is not required that students independently select their own issue and conduct extensive, independent research; specific topics are recommended and some resources in the Topic pages are provided to help students begin to formulate critically informed positions. Nevertheless, writing on one of the recommended topics will still require at least some additional research. It is highly recommended that students view the Information Literacy Lecture provided by the GGU Library:

If you choose to write on a topic other than the recommended topics, you will need to do some independent research. Please review the Information Literacy Lecture. Consult with the instructor. And begin thinking about how you will research your topic.

STEP THREE: WRITE THE ESSAY

We will be working on the Signature Assignment for the rest of the class. There will be forum areas where student can share ideas and seek feedback. We will try to apply all the knowledge and skills developed in this class in addressing a problem or issue.