Assignment Content
Short Essay Assignment: “Politics”
Evaluate the possible applications of various political philosophies and ideologies to governments in general and specifically to our own systems of government, emphasis will be placed on how philosophy does or does not critique, influence, and direct the formations and daily practices of government.
Students must use one primary sourcetext and at least one secondary sourcetext.
A primary source for our purposes is an original philosophic work, such as any of the writings of Plato, Aristotle, Marcus Aurelius, Kant, Nietzsche, etc.
Secondary sources involve analysis, synthesis, interpretation, or evaluation of primary sources. They often attempt to describe or explain primary sources. Secondary sources include our textbook, peer-reviewed academic journal articles, etc. Non-scholarly sources, such as Wikipedia, History.com, or the dictionary, are unacceptable.
While paraphrasing is fine, the body of your paper should not contain more than 10% worth of direct quotes from outside sources. I want to seeYOUR analysis in YOUR own words.
PARAMETERS
The essay must be a minimum of 500 words plus a Works Cited page. The essay must be formatted in standard MLA format: 1” margins, Times New Roman font, 12-point font, double-spaced, pages numbered at top right with last name, first page formatted with information and centered title. Citations should be parenthetical and follow MLA conventions.
Students should decide on three elements to successfully complete the assignment:
Choose a political philosophy.
Identify three notable aspects of this philosophy in how it agrees, contradicts, or differs from the current American political system. (Requires outside research).
Discuss how the selected philosophy does or does not critique, influence, and direct the formations and daily practices of American government.
SUGGESTED POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES, PHILOSOPHIES OR THEORIES
African socialism
Anarcho-syndicalism
Arab socialism
Austrofascism
Autarchism
Autonomism
Castroism
Classical liberalism
Clerical fascism
Collectivist anarchism
Conservatism
Conservative liberalism
Crypto-anarchism
Cultural conservatism
Eco-capitalism
Ecofascism
Ecofeminism
Economic liberalism
Eco-socialism
Environmentalism
Falangism
Fascism
Greek fascism
Green anarchism
Green conservatism
Green liberalism
Green libertarianism
Guevarism
Inclusive democracy
Individualism
Infoanarchism
Italian fascism
Liberal conservatism
Liberal socialism
Liberalism
Libertarian conservatism
Libertarian socialism
Libertarian socialism
Market liberalism
Marxism–Leninism
National conservatism
National liberalism
Neoconservatism
Neoliberalism
Neo-Zionism
Paleoconservatism
Pan-Africanism
Pan-Arabism
Pan-Euronationalism
Pan-Iranism
Primitive communism
Queer anarchism
Religious Zionism
Scientific communism
Social conservatism
Syndicalism
Titoism
Utopian socialism
Workerism
Zionism
Wells Modified Grading Rubric: Short Essay Assignment:
Criterion
(Specific to philosophy critical philosophical essay assignment)
Beginning 1
Developing 2
Accomplished
3
Exemplary 4
Score
Organization and Content (70 percent:maximum of 70 points total)
1. Clear Thesis/Main Idea
Thesis is philosophically relevant and significant related to stated topic.
Thesis statement is unclear or is not stated; no discernible thesis.
0 points
Thesis statement is stated but unclear, inappropriate, or does not address a philosophically significant issue.
1-5 points
Relevant and significant thesis is proposed but may not match the reality of completed essay.
6-10 points
Interesting, relevant and significant thesis is proposed and follows through the essay.
11-15 points
2. Uses supporting evidence
Must use philosophically sound, logical arguments based on close reading of the text
Little or no use of supporting materials/details (explanations, examples, definitions, theorems, illustrations, statistics, analogy, quotations from relevant authorities/sources) that make appropriate reference to information or analysis and minimally support the content
0 points
Limited use of supporting materials/details (explanations, examples, definitions, theorems, illustrations, statistics, analogy, quotations from relevant authorities/sources) that make appropriate reference to information or analysis and partially support the content
1-4 points
Sufficient use of supporting materials/details (explanations, examples, definitions, theorems, illustrations, statistics, analogy, quotations from relevant authorities/sources) that make appropriate reference to information or analysis and generally support the content
.
5-6 points
Skillful use of a variety of types of supporting materials/details (explanations, examples, definitions, theorems, illustrations, statistics, analogy, quotations from relevant authorities/sources) that make appropriate reference to information or analysis and significantly support the content
7-10 points
3. Presents logical conclusion
Conclusion derives logically from thesis
No logical conclusion or conclusion is confused/unclear.
0 points
Conclusion is basically coherent but has significant weaknesses. Conclusion may not follow clearly from stated thesis or objectives.
1-4 points
Conclusion is coherent and strong, but has either presentation problems, is not fully persuasive, and does not address counter-arguments.
5-6 points
Conclusion is logical and persuasive; counter-arguments are effectively addressed.
7-10 points
4. Uses own words and/or cites sources when appropriate
MLA style with minimum of one primary source with 1-3 appropriate secondary sources; uses quotations, paraphrase, and summaries appropriately
Evidence of plagiarism.
0 points AND failure of assignment.
Inaccurate/inappropriate citations, style format mistakes, too much derivative material versus original writing and ideas.
1-5 points
Few citation or style problems. May still need more original analysis versus derivative writing, and may use too much quoted material.
6-10 points
Quotations are few and effectively cited.
11-15 points
5. Contains minimum required arguments and counter-arguments
Three arguments with examples and two counter-arguments
No arguments or counter-arguments
0 points
Contains at least two arguments an d one counter-argument with examples; or more arguments with no examples
1-9 points
Contains minimum required arguments and counter-argument but has weak examples
10-17 points
Contains three or more required arguments and two or more counter-argument with effective examples
10-15 points
Mechanics (30 percent:maximum of 30 points total)
1. Uses complete sentences
Includes excessive errors in mechanics and/or distracting inconsistencies in grammar usage
Includes word choice, vocabulary, notations, symbols and sentence structure that minimally support the effectiveness of the content
.
0 points
Includes frequent errors in mechanics and/or inconsistencies in grammar usage
Includes word choice, vocabulary, notations, symbols and sentence structure that partially support the effectiveness of the content
1 point
Includes few errors in mechanics and mostly consistent grammar usage
Includes appropriate word choice, vocabulary, notations, symbols and sentence structure that generally support the effectiveness of the content
2-4 points
Includes clear and consistent grammar usage and mechanics
Includes appropriate word choice, notations, symbols, sentence structure, and vocabulary that enhance the effectiveness of the content
5 points
2. Exhibits college-level writing (including vocabulary and sentences of varying length)
Vocabulary includes appropriate philosophical terminology
Usage may not meet minimum college-level writing standards. Substandard vocabulary and telegraphic prose.
0-2 points
Usage at low-level college writing standards with some vocabulary problems. Prose may evidence some complexity.
3-4 points
Usage at average expected college level writing with appropriately sophisticated vocabulary and paragraph structure. Few or no problems.
5-8 points
Usage meets and exceeds college-level standards.
9-10 points
