SANDEL VIDEO
Mini Research Paper
Mini Research Papers involve doing an in‐depth study, survey, or evaluation of one or more topics.
This research paper may examine the use of specific evidence in one or more application areas. This research paper must relate to one or more of the topics covered in these videos but must not be simply a summary of the material covered in the videos. The goal of such a “research project” is to go beyond class material, video, etc.; examine the topics in a much more in‐depth
manner.
The videos (or “episodes”) may be found at either http://justiceharvard.org/justicecourse/
If you have trouble finding the videos it is also listed on this YouTube playlist (“Justice with Michael Sandel”):
Students are required to select any six (6) videos (or “episodes” excluding Episode # 1) and include all of the six points listed below:
1. Review the underlying ethical/moral issue that is being reviewed in the entire episode (when applicable, both parts);
2. Research the philosophical positions as discussed in the video and briefly discuss them;
3. What is your personal opinion? Why? What are your arguments and basis for your position? Cite research, e.g., books, journals, articles that led you to this opinion. (At least 4 different sources).
4. Do you believe that factors such as gender, age, religion, birthplace, community will generate differing positions; or regardless of variables, there will a majority of people that will agree with your opinion/
5. Does a decision have to always be YES/NO, TRUE/FALSE? Can there be an effective compromise that everyone will be more comfortable with?
6. Perhaps conduct a survey of about 10 people and record their viewpoints and reasons. Optional (E.C.)
The evaluation of the papers will be based on thoroughness (including adequate coverage of relevant issues/techniques as well as references to the related work), soundness (including justification for any claims made, illustrative example, correct and adequate analysis of connections or relationships among concepts or techniques), clarity/organization, and significance (defined by the degree to which the paper covers new material, and the extent of the original work by the author in drawing conclusions
and synthesizing scholarly work in this area). Note that the paper must not simply be a concatenation of material from several other papers but must include some original analysis of that work in the context of the paper topic.
• The suggested length for this mini research paper for the entire selected 6 videos is APPROXIMATELY 10 – 12, double‐spaced pages with a font size of 11.
• Please follow the APA Writing Style for your research paper.
When citing information from your textbook, websites, and any source besides yourself, use in‐text/parenthetical citation and include a References Cited section. Please draw the references from scholarly, academic or professional journals. Citing resources like Wikipedia is not acceptable. Citing and formatting information correctly in your assignments will help you do so easily on your final paper and get a better grade. Include an appropriate in text citation and reference list using APA style (http://www.apastyle.org/).
Online Library Resources:
Please refer to your Local Online Library Resources for important links to resources that will help you write an effective research paper:
Ask a Librarian: Choose from a variety of methods to contact librarian for help, including technical help with logging in or using a database, suggestions for more effective research, etc.
Research Databases: Connect to library databases by title or use the Search by Subject area to choose from the resources that the library recommends, including databases for journal articles, books, e‐books, and Web sites.
Important Deadlines & Due Dates:
Please ensure that you formulate an independent statement of research plan including research
objectives and research strategy.
Section… This research paper is due no later than. However, an earlier submission is permissible. Make sure to save your paper as a commonly readable file type like Microsoft Word (.docx), or .PDF. The paper will be graded in accordance with the rubric referenced in the course syllabus.
Late submissions will NOT be graded.