please see the attached PDF for the following instructions…………
CIS340 – Computer Ethics
Unit 3 Assignment: General Ethics, Thesis Statement, and Research
Due Date: 11:59 pm EST Sunday of Unit 3
Total Points: 50
OVERVIEW:
This is the second assignment related to your course project. Remember, the final project will
be completed over the course of the term as four summative assignments, consisting of 1) topic
selection with optional peer review, 2) a preliminary research assignment including a clear
thesis statement and focusing on the first stage of the course, 3) further development of your
thesis, evidence, and counterarguments to include elements of the second stage of the course,
and 4) final submission of your course project in your chosen format.
This week, you focus on conducting research, developing your selected topic, and relating it to
the first stage of this course (i.e., ethics and morality in a general context). As with the first
assignment, you will submit a paper to your instructor, and if you choose, you may also share it
with your classmates for peer review. If you are already sure of your selected final project
format, you may submit this assignment in your chosen format instead of submitting a paper.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Now that you have settled on a topic, you should begin identifying its ethical, moral, and/or legal
implications and incorporating what you have learned in the first three Units to further develop
your thoughts on the issue and formulate a thesis statement. In this assignment, you should
complete the following:
1. Provide an outline of what you will present in your final project, incorporating elements of an
argumentative essay and including a description of the selected final project format that you
are considering.
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Remember that in an argumentative essay, you must include (1) an introduction
consisting of a topic and problem statement, background information on the issue,
and a thesis statement, (2) arguments and evidence supporting your position, (3)
counterarguments to your position, how you view those arguments/positions, and
how you would refute those arguments with evidence, and (4) a conclusion. These
basic elements are required regardless of the format you select.
2. Frame your topic in the form of a problem statement (see the five-step decision-making
process in the Reynolds textbook for constructing a problem statement). Describe the
ethical dilemma you have developed within your topic as well as the context in which you
will address it (corporation, university, non-profit, etc.).
3. Construct a thesis statement by describing your perspective and what you have uncovered
through preliminary research, citing some of the sources you will be using.
4. Provide your initial thoughts and explore elements of what we have covered in the course
thus far, considering the ethical and moral issues from a general context. This should
include the following:
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Describe the moral theories you will utilize to identify and resolve the ethical
questions that your topic raises.
o
Deliberate on how relativism and different perspectives could impact decisions.
o
Employ critical thinking and analysis, noting logical fallacies that could impede your
examination of the issue.
o
Use problem-solving techniques (e.g., the five-step decision-making process) to
explore alternative solutions and determine outcomes.
o
Discuss the specific relationships your topic and identified problems impact.
o
If relevant, demonstrate the business value of making ethical decisions.
5. You should apply preliminary research that you have uncovered to guide you in your initial
analysis of the topic. Your research should consist of at least two outside sources.
6. Note that by Wednesday of Unit 4, you must confirm your selected format with your
instructor via email. See more on format options and requirements below.
7. You may submit this assignment as a 2–3-page paper (not including title page, reference
page, or outline) as a Word document, following APA 7th edition essay guidelines for format
and style, or in your chosen format. If completing this assignment in your chosen format, you
must still submit a Word document containing your outline and references. You do not need
to meet the final format requirements at this stage, but you must have covered each of the
elements outlined in the rubric.
8. You will have the option to resubmit your assignment during Unit 4 after receiving and
incorporating feedback from your instructor.
Percentage of total course grade: 5%
FORMAT:
The format of your final project is up to you. Some examples include a paper, a video,
presentation with notes, presentation with voice over, blog, vlog, or a web page. No one format
is better than another or preferable from the instructor’s perspective. The purpose of providing
you with options is to give you an opportunity to do what you do best. You may be very
analytical and can best get your point across in a traditional term paper format, or you may be
an extremely creative person and can be more persuasive in a video or presentation, or you
may be very technical and can shine through the creation of a web site or blog.
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If you have another format in mind, you must seek approval from your instructor. This is a
chance for you to demonstrate creativity, what you are passionate about, and the computer
skills you have learned in other courses.
Choose the format that will motivate you, one you are most comfortable with, that will keep
you focused over an eight-week course, and that will enable you to produce your best work.
Please see the following requirements for each project format:
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Final Paper: 8-10 pages in APA format, not including Title or Reference pages.
Video: 15-20 minutes recorded and uploaded to YouTube
Presentation (with notes): 10-15 slides in PowerPoint. Use the Notes feature to
provide necessary context to explain the content of your slides.
Presentation (with voice): 10-15 slides in PowerPoint with recorded voice presentation
of your slides. Voice recording should be approximately 1-2 minutes per slide.
Web Page: if you create a web page, requirements will depend on the outline of your
site. For example, the site could consist of multiple pages, one page with several tabs,
blog or vlog style, etc. Confirm with your instructor. Be creative but ensure all the
elements of the project requirements are included.
Regardless of the format you select, you are required to submit references.
OPTIONAL PEER REVIEW:
In Unit 4, you will have the opportunity to submit your work in the Peer Review Discussion
Board. This is optional and up to you to decide if you would like your classmates to review your
work and provide feedback.
Whether you submit your work for peer review or not, you are welcome and encouraged to visit
the discussion board to review and comment on your classmates’ submissions. To foster
discussion that is constructive and helpful, utilize the RISE Model of feedback when responding
to your classmates.
This element of the assignment will not be graded, but it is highly recommended that you utilize
this option as it will lead to improvement in your own work.
Be sure to read the criteria below by which your work will be evaluated.
Evaluation Rubric for Course Project: General Ethics, Thesis
Statement, and Research
Criteria
Problem and
Thesis
Statement
Application of
Course
Concepts
Critical
Thinking and
Problem
Solving
Exemplary
Proficient
Needs
Improvement
5-6 points
Provides some
required
information, or
the information is
incomplete and
not wellconstructed.
Deficient
9-10 points
Topic focus and
problem are stated
and fully described.
A clear thesis is
developed and
articulated. Overall
and personal
relevance and
importance of the
selected topic is
detailed.
7-8 points
The topic and
problem are
selected and
described, and a
rationale and
thesis provided,
but they are not
completely
developed.
9-10 points
Course concepts
including moral
theories, critical
thinking, ethical
cultures, the
business value of
ethics, and IT
worker relationships
are fully explored
and developed.
7-8 points
Course concepts
are explored and
discussed but are
not completely
developed.
5-6 points
Provides some
required
information, or
the information is
incomplete and
not wellconstructed.
0-4 points
Required
information is
lacking or poorly
constructed.
9-10 points
The student
demonstrates deep
critical thinking and
analysis of the
problem, with a
clear problem
statement, and
understanding
outcomes.
7-8 points
The student
demonstrates
good critical
thinking and
analysis of the
problem,
considers some
alternatives and
their outcomes.
5-6 points
Critical thinking,
analysis, and
personal growth
are present, but
are lacking or not
fully developed.
0-4 points
Lack of
engagement in
critical thinking,
analysis, or
personal growth.
9-10 points
7-8 points
5-6 points
0-4 points
0-4 points
Required
information is
lacking or poorly
constructed.
Quality of
Research
Clear and
Professional
Writing
and/or
Speaking
Strong evidence in
the form of
arguments and
research from
reliable sources
supporting and
opposing your
position are utilized
consistently and are
fully developed.
The arguments
and sources for
and against
positions with
counterarguments
is presented and
described, and a
rationale provided,
but they are not
completely
developed.
Provides some
required
information, or
the information is
incomplete and
not wellconstructed.
Required
information is
lacking or poorly
constructed.
9-10 points
Well written/spoken
and clearly
organized using
standard English,
characterized by
elements of strong
style and basically
free from grammar,
punctuation, usage,
and spelling errors.
Consistent use of
APA format with no
errors.
7-8 points
Above average
style and logically
organized using
standard English
with minor errors
in grammar,
punctuation,
usage, and
spelling.
Consistent use of
APA format with
minor errors that
do not impede
reading and flow.
5-6 points
Average style
lacking in
standard English,
clarity, and
contains errors in
grammar,
punctuation,
usage, and
spelling.
Inconsistent use
of APA format.
0-4 points
Poor style lacking
in standard
English, clarity,
language used,
and/or frequent
errors in grammar,
punctuation,
usage, and
spelling. APA
format is
significantly below
expectations and
detracts from the
content.
