Process Overview of the Seminar Leadership Project (SLP)
Expectations for the Analysis
Approximate length is 500 words (the equivalent of two double spaced page). You will need to think clearly and critically about the article. I suggest you print out the "critical reading from" and fill that out as you read the article. The more you are able to demonstrate a grasp of moral reasoning processes and reflection on the insights from ethical theory the better. For example, say I decided we read an article on the assisted suicide of Brittany Maynard in Oregon November 1st, 2014. Let's say the article deals with all sorts of highly controversial ideas about autonomy, consent, human value, the special vulnerability that goes with terminal illness, etc. Your analysis would identify and evaluate the various arguments made by the author. Is the argument compelling? Why or why not? Is it based on good data? Does it depend on one or more logical fallacies? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the author’s approach to the problem? If you think the conclusion offered by the author is false or weak, how might you address the concerns that led him/her to that conclusion. In other words, can you get behind the flurry of words to an underlying concern and perhaps a creative alternative response to that concern? It is always good to provide a few actual quotes from the article and/or any secondary literature you come across to illustrate your points...
Posting your Analysis
The TITLE of your post must conform to the following format: SLP (LASTNAME) on (author's name) (date). Example: "SLP MARENCO on Hans Jonas 9/15/17"
In-class Seminar Process
The report that you turn in on the Monday following your presentation should include the following:
- Sign up for an SLP.
- Read your article.
- Prepare an analysis along the lines indicated below. Note that I have written a sample SLP which may be of help.
- Post your analysis according to the schedule for our class.
- Students will then read your analysis and post comments. Read these comments and prepare to respond to them according to the process given below.
- Following your in-class presentation write your report as described below and turn that in on the Monday following your presentation.
Expectations for the Analysis
Approximate length is 500 words (the equivalent of two double spaced page). You will need to think clearly and critically about the article. I suggest you print out the "critical reading from" and fill that out as you read the article. The more you are able to demonstrate a grasp of moral reasoning processes and reflection on the insights from ethical theory the better. For example, say I decided we read an article on the assisted suicide of Brittany Maynard in Oregon November 1st, 2014. Let's say the article deals with all sorts of highly controversial ideas about autonomy, consent, human value, the special vulnerability that goes with terminal illness, etc. Your analysis would identify and evaluate the various arguments made by the author. Is the argument compelling? Why or why not? Is it based on good data? Does it depend on one or more logical fallacies? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the author’s approach to the problem? If you think the conclusion offered by the author is false or weak, how might you address the concerns that led him/her to that conclusion. In other words, can you get behind the flurry of words to an underlying concern and perhaps a creative alternative response to that concern? It is always good to provide a few actual quotes from the article and/or any secondary literature you come across to illustrate your points...
Posting your Analysis
The TITLE of your post must conform to the following format: SLP (LASTNAME) on (author's name) (date). Example: "SLP MARENCO on Hans Jonas 9/15/17"
In-class Seminar Process
- Introduce yourself and tell us about your experience reading the article.
- Provide a summary of the main points addressed by the author. If you have a partner you can divide up this task.
- Provide a summary of your posted analysis. If you have a partner you can both verbally share a summary of your analysis.
- Then address student comments. First share patterns you observed in student comments on your analysis. Then work through a few selected comments and address those specifically. BE SURE to invite the people whose comments you select to address to respond in class.
- Come up with a few questions for class discussion. Come up with questions that are likely to get some discussion going. It will be your job, and that of your partner, to manage the conversation.
- When I give you the high sign sum up in three or four points what you think we can take away from the article and the dialogue generated in class from your analysis.
The report that you turn in on the Monday following your presentation should include the following:
- Title and author of the article you wrote about
- Your analysis neatly formatted.
- The comments you chose to address (usually 2 -5), with your response to each summarized; again, neatly formatted.
- Summary of what you learned from the whole process, reading the article, writing the analysis, commenting on comments, in-class discussion.
- Self assessment of your leadership of the seminar discussion.
