Part 1:
Choose two of the three terms listed below. Define and explain each term chosen in a paragraph or two. Each will be worth 25% of the total grade.
Example: Libertarianism - This is a political philosophy that focuses on protecting the rights to liberty and personal property as the most important elements of social justice. Libertarians believe that every person is the owner of his own life and that no one is the owner of anyone else's life. According to libertarianism, individual liberty should only be limited to the extent necessary prevent infringement on an equally or more important liberty of other rational beings.
The Terms will be chosen from the following list:
Multiculturalism
Consequentialism
Deontological Theory
Virtue Theory
Natural Law Theory
Blum's 4 Values for a Multiracial Society
Cultural Relativism
The Greatest Happiness Principle
Article 1 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Kant's Formula of the End in Itself
First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution
Dworkin's View of the Relationship between Rights and Government
Bunch's View of the Use of "Human Rights" in Practice
An-Na'im's Suggestions for Resolving Cultural Conflicts with Human Rights
Why does Ake Claim that the Western Notion of Human Rights Lacks Concreteness?
The Confucian Connection Between Human Rights and Ritual Practice
Buddhism and Human Rights
Compassion in Buddhism
Leopold's Land Ethic
Tao and the Environment
Baxter's Argument for Denying Intrinsic Value for Non-Humans and the Environment
Indigenous
Environmental Racism
Two Kinds of Poverty
Lifeboat Ethics
Supererogatory
Singer's Two Assumed Principles
Arthur's Principle of the Duty to Bring Aid
Duty to be Informed
Developmentalism
Systemic Violence
Jus ad Bellum
Jus in Bello
Satyagraha
Mater Dolorosa
Katchadourian's Two Conditions for Terrorism to be Justified
Wilkins' Two Conditions for Justified Terrorism
Women's Politics of Resistance
King's definition of Just Law
King's Steps for a Nonviolent Campaign
King's Requirements for Breaking Unjust Law
McGary's Conditions for the Use of Physical Violence to Thwart Psychological Violence
Part 2 - Essay: The essay question will be based on the topics covered in the first half of the course.
See instructions below for details on what is expected in the essay.
Answer the following question(s) based on your knowledge of the issues we've studied in class and your own analysis of the various authors' theories and the issues raised. Support your claims with clear, cogent, and comprehensive reasoning that illustrates your understanding of the authors' claims and the issues involved. The grade will be based on the quality of your reasoning, how well you support your claims, and your demonstrated understanding of the theories and issues involved. (50% of the exam grade.)