The assignments:
Orwell’s 1984 and Bradbury’ Fahrenheit 451 are classics of a genre called ‘dystopian novels’ or ‘dystopian science fiction’ although neither novel is really science fiction. Both novels are relevant to a class on criminal justice ethics as both novels deal with the ethics of formal social control; the criminal justice system is the embodiment of formal social control.
Read the books. While reading try to be aware (perhaps take notes) of events that you regard as ethical or unethical in nature; for example, events involving loyalty, obedience to orders, obedience to unethical laws, honesty, basic rights, etc. Choosing a category of ethics, for example loyalty, obedience, honesty, or etc. as an overall theme for your paper, in an essay discuss the author’s treatment of your chosen theme with emphasis on your reactions to the author’s treatment of the theme. It would be best to do so within the context a specific incident or incidents portrayed in the books. The theme or themes chosen must be clearly related to ethics as presented in this class and you must make the relationship clear in your essay. If in doubt ask me, either during class or office hours. Response may require more than can be provided via email.
How long should these papers be? Some students, when asking that question are actually asking, “What is the minimum amount of work I can get by with?” Many professors give a minimum number of pages or words and that is what they usually get in return. Working to the minimum is not learning. Working from the assumption that you are here to learn, the number of pages or the number of words depends on your writing skill and your approach to the topic. That said, your professor prefers you not exceed four pages/750 words; these are, after all, essays and essays are by definition to the point. Do not summarize the books; I am already familiar with their plots. Please do not write a high school book report (“I liked this book. I think everyone should read this book because it is a good book”). Rather, stick to an ethically based analysis as related to specific events and present your analysis in terms of what those events meant to you in terms of your chosen ethics based theme.
Please no filler in any form (that is, material that you fail to make clearly relevant to your point or points) and you need to stay away from unsupported opinion; don’t just state it; explain it. Please do not be repetitive. Please remember that I am here to help, but must be asked and asked in a timely manner. Contacting me the day before or the day the paper is due will doubtless not allow sufficient time for you to do passing work.
Grading rubric:
Basic writing skills; grammar, spelling, word usage, organization (20).
Quality and application of source material to support points (20).
Conformance to APA requirements including title page, in-text citations, and source list (10).
Clarity and completeness of discussion including coherence, logic, and strength of argument, overall (50).
Total: —/100
Source material:
A quick Google search will likely get you a failing grade. Under no circumstances are you to use any encyclopedia or dictionary as a source, especially Wikipedia. Textbooks may be suitable, but I strongly recommend that you show the textbook to me before using it. In all cases, if in doubt ask me in advance. Waiting to contact me for assistance until the day the assignment is due or the day before reflects badly on you and I will take great pains to point that out to you should you do so.
Papers must be uploaded into Canvas; do not send them via email. Papers submitted via email will be deleted without response. Papers must be in Word format; pdf files or any format other than Word will not be graded.
