·  Write a 2-3-page essay on a selected issue related to the tension between individual freedom and social institutions.

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies:

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·  Competency 1: Explain the nature of ethical issues.

o  Explain the ethical basis for the relation of individuals to their government.

·  Competency 2: Critically examine the contributions of key thinkers from the history of ethics. 

o  Describe the social contract theories of Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau.

·  Competency 3: Engage in ethical debate. 

o  Assess the advantages and disadvantages of these theories as they relate to a selected issue. 

·  Competency 4: Develop a position on a contemporary ethical issue. 

o  Apply traditional social contract theories to a selected contemporary issue.

·  Competency 5: Communicate effectively in the context of personal and professional moral discourse. 

o  Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for members of professional communities.

• To deepen your understanding, you are encouraged to consider the questions below and discuss them with a fellow learner, a work associate, an interested friend, or a member of the business community.

As you think about the theme “freedom and authority,” consider addressing the following questions:

• Which version of social contract theory offers the best understanding of your issue?
• How much individual freedom is compatible with the legitimate authority of government?
• What solution do you defend for the issue you have selected?

·  Assessment Overview

Political philosophy concerns itself with the formation and maintenance of civil societies. Its central theme is the need to explain the relationship between individual human beings and their governments. You have been considering several specific examples of the tension between individual freedom and social institutions. From among those examples, you have chosen one as the focus for your own views on freedom and authority.

Assessment Instructions

Your assessment is to write an essay assessing the issue you selected, both in terms of versions of social contract theory proposed by Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau and from your own view of the proper relation between society and the individual.

Address the following concepts in your essay:

1.  Explain the ethical basis for the relation of individuals to their government

2.  Describe the theories of Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau about how societies are organized.

3.  Assess the strengths and weaknesses of the theories in justifying the imposition of authority over individuals.

4.  Apply these social contract theories to the issue you have selected.

Your instructor may provide video feedback on your work, as well as completing the official scoring guide for the assessment.

Assessment Requirements

·  Written communication: Ensure written communication is free of errors that detract from the overall message.

·  APA formatting: Format resources and citations according to current APA style guidelines.

·  Number of resources: Use your judgment to ensure your topic is thoroughly researched. There is no minimum number of resources required, however.

·  Length of paper: Submit 2-3 typed, double-spaced pages.

·  Font and font size: Use Arial, 12-point font.

·  Freedom and Authority Scoring Guide

Freedom and Authority Scoring Guide 

Criteria

Non-performance

Basic

Proficient

Distinguished

Explain the ethical basis for the relation of individuals to their government. 

Does not identify the ethical basis for the relation of individuals to their government.

Identifies the ethical basis for the relation of individuals to their government. 

Explains the ethical basis for the relation of individuals to their government.

Justifies the ethical basis for the relation of individuals to their government, using supporting resources. 

Describe the social contract theories of Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau. 

Does not list features of the social contract theories of Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau.

Lists features of the social contract theories of Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau.

Describes the social contract theories of Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau.

Explains the social contract theories of Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau. 

Assess the advantages and disadvantages of these theories as they relate to a selected issue. 

Does not assess the advantages and disadvantages of these theories as they relate to a selected issue.

Assesses the advantages or disadvantages of these theories as they relate to a selected issue, but not both.

Assesses the advantages and disadvantages of these theories as they relate to a selected issue.

Assesses the advantages and disadvantages of these theories as they relate to a selected issue, supporting the assessment with research. 

Apply traditional social contract theories to a selected contemporary issue. 

Does not describe traditional social contract theories to a selected contemporary issue.

Describes traditional social contract theories as they relate to a selected contemporary issue.

Applies traditional social contract theories to a selected contemporary issue.

Applies traditional social contract theories to a selected contemporary issue, with the support of detailed research. 

Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for members of professional communities. 

Does not communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, or consistent with expectations for members of professional communities.

Communicates inconsistently in a manner of scholarly and professional expectations for members of professional communities.

Communicates in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for members of professional communities.

Communicates in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for members of professional communities, with written communication that is free of errors that detract from the overall message.