Purpose:
The midterm paper allows you to analyze the conceptual and normative issues surrounding partnership or gender.
Directions
We have encountered a range of views on the nature and purpose of romantic partnership as an intimate practice between consenting adults. We have also grappled with a bunch of conceptual and normative issues surrounding gender as a part of our everyday lived experience.
In this paper, you will select either partnership or gender as your topic and then proceed to offer an analysis of the conceptual and normative issues surrounding it.
Option A: If you select partnership, your task is threefold.
First, explain what the core values of romantic partnership are, in your view. What is its proper point or purpose? How should we understand it in its ideal form; and how important is it, really (if at all), for a fulfilling life? What role does commitment play, and what should it look like? Does it ideally involve monogamy, or is polyamory an equally viable and valuable model for intimacy? You may defend any normative conception of romantic partnership you wish. You will not be evaluated on that basis. The only requirement is that you do so by providing clear reasoning supported by evidence drawn at least in part from your reading of assigned material. You do not have to agree with anything we have read on the topic. But you must reference at least some of what we have read in making your case (cite 1-2 separate assigned materials in this section). Devote roughly one-third of your paper (500 words) to this task.
Second, draw out the implications of what you have just said about the normative character of marriage for its appropriate legal and social character. What (if anything) should partnership look like as a part of our society’s public institutions? Does it require that marriage, specifically, be available for anyone who wants it, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or monogamy status? Note that you do not have to endorse the claim that marriage is important and defensible: you may (or may not) think that it should be abolished. Just be specific, and again, draw at least in part upon relevant assigned material in making your case (cite 1-2 separate assigned materials in this section). Devote roughly one-third of your paper (500 words) to this task.
Third, anticipate and respond to a criticism of your argument. Articulate the strongest, most challenging and persuasive objection to your position you can imagine and explain why it does not succeed. Here again, cite 1-2 separate assigned materials in this section. Devote roughly one-third of your paper (500 words) to this task.
Option B: If you select gender, your task is threefold.
First, explain gender. What is the nature of gender per se? Where does it come from, exactly? What determines a person’s gender, specifically? To what extent, if any, is gender fluid or capable of variation or transformation? How does it relate to sexual orientation, if at all? You may defend any conception of the nature of gender you wish. You will not be evaluated on that basis. The only requirement is that you do so by providing clear reasoning supported by evidence drawn at least in part from your reading of assigned material. You do not have to agree with anything we have read on the topic. But you must reference at least some of what we have read in making your case (cite 1-2 separate assigned materials in this section). Devote roughly one-third of your paper (500 words) to this task.
Second, draw out the normative implications of what you have just said about the nature of gender. Given your analysis of gender, is it a bad thing in general, a good thing in general, or neither? For instance, is it ever (or always to some extent?) oppressive? Here’s another way of coming at it: if gender as we know it can be changed or eliminated, should it be? Why or why not? Be specific and again, draw at least in part upon relevant assigned material in making your case (cite 1-2 separate assigned materials in this section). Devote roughly one-third of your paper (500 words) to this task.
Third, anticipate and respond to a criticism of your analysis and normative evaluation of gender. Articulate the strongest, most challenging and persuasive objection to your position you can imagine and explain why it does not succeed. Here again, cite 1-2 separate assigned materials in this section. Devote roughly one-third of your paper (500 words) to this task.
Your paper is to be 5-6 pages long (1300-1700 words), typed and double-spaced. Remember that the maximum length requirement is an important aspect of this assignment.
About cited sources: throughout your paper, you must reference at least 3 different authors we have encountered during the semester so far, at least 2 of whom must be drawn from our modules, “Romantic Partnership and Sexual Orientation” and “What’s Gender About?”. Note that this allows for some overlap in the assigned materials you cite. The acceptable range is 3-6 separate sources cited throughout your paper (1-2 per section). Please cite sources following APA style.
Timeline for the Midterm Paper
Module 3: Topic Selection
Module 4: Literature Review (bibliographic information)
Module 5: Draft
Module 6: Final Submission
Submission
You don’t need to submit anything for this module. Please review the requirements for the midterm paper and think about your topic.
Grading
The midterm paper will be graded on a 100 point scale. It is worth 25% of your course grade.
Please review the rubric below to understand how the assignment will be graded.
Page 6 of 7 in Module 3
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Rubric
BLHS 046 Paper Grading Rubric
BLHS 046 Paper Grading Rubric
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIntroduction/Thesis
25 pts
Exceeds Expectations
(1) Exceptional introduction that grabs interest of reader and states topic. (2) Thesis is exceptionally clear, well-developed, and a definitive statement.
20 pts
Meets Expectations
(1) Proficient introduction that is interesting and states topic. (2) Thesis is clear and arguable statement of position.
15 pts
Does Not Meet Expectations
(1) Weak introduction. (2) Purpose of paper is unclear or thesis is weak or missing.
25 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeContent Knowledge
25 pts
Exceeds Expectations
(1) Exceptionally critical, relevant, comparison and contrast of articles. (2) Excellent understanding of the articles.
20 pts
Meets Expectations
(1) Critical and relevant comparison and contrast of articles. (2) Good understanding of the articles.
15 pts
Does Not Meet Expectations
(1) Limited or no appropriate comparison and contrast of articles. (2) Some misunderstanding of the articles.
25 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeContent Application: Comparative Analysis of Readings
25 pts
Exceeds Expectations
Excellent analysis and thoughtful application of ideas to one’s own work.
20 pts
Meets Expectations
Good analysis and some application of ideas to one’s own work.
15 pts
Does Not Meet Expectations
(1) Lack of sufficient analysis. (2) Lack of application of ideas to one’s own work.
25 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWriting: Grammar & Mechanics
25 pts
Exceeds Expectations
(1) Writing is clear and relevant, with no grammatical and/or spelling errors – polished and professional. (2) Reference section properly formatted. (3) APA Style Manual is followed consistently.
20 pts
Meets Expectations
(1) Most ideas are stated clearly and are related to the topic, with only minor grammatical and/or spelling errors. (2) Reference section adequate. (3) APA Style Manual is followed in most areas.
15 pts
Does Not Meet Expectations
(1) Many ideas require clarification and/or are off-topic or have marginal relevance to the assignment. (2) Grammatical and/or spellings errors throughout the paper. (3) The paper is very challenging to read due to poor writing flow. (4) Improper reference section. (5) APA Style Manual is not followed consistently.
25 pts
Total Points: 100
Course Description
The American poet and short story writer Raymond Carver once wrote: “It ought to make us feel ashamed when we talk like we know what we’re talking about when we talk about love.” Indeed, a little reflection shows that love is perplexing, and the same can be said of the related concepts of gender and sexuality.
Strong bonds exist between parents and children, romantic lovers, friends, and fellow citizens. How can love come in so many forms? Can we reason our way out of conflicts between them? Is there a duty to love strangers?
Sexuality is a battleground where love can seemingly become perverse or unethical. Do celibates sacrifice something important? Can one love multiple romantic partners simultaneously? Is it wrong to? Should marriage be restricted to opposite-sex couples, or to couples rather than groups? Is pornography oppressive or obscene? Should sex work be legalized and normalized?
Does gender determine what forms of love and sex are natural? Should transgender folks be guaranteed access to restrooms and other public facilities of their choice? And what is sex, anyway? Does masturbation count? Is virginity important?
The goal of the course is to help us become more thoughtful about the problems and possibilities of gender, love, and sexuality. Our investigation will lead us through a comparative study of the many contrasting visions of love and sex we find expressed in great works of art and literature and within ethical perspectives both secular and religious throughout Western history. Some authors whose work we will examine include Thomas Aquinas, Judith Butler, Irving Singer, Martha Nussbaum, and Audre Lorde.
Course Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
Interpret rationally our own actions and experiences by examining our assumptions and commitments about what living well requires of us.
Evaluate and critique philosophical arguments and develop your own.
Explain key concepts and theories within the philosophical study of gender, love, and sexuality.
Develop a critical and thoughtful relationship with your own beliefs and assumptions about issues of right and wrong surrounding gender, love, and sexuality.
Communicate ideas effectively and listen more carefully to those of others.
Develop and improve public speaking skills.
Collaborate effectively with others in developing a plan for thoughtfully responding to challenging empirical, conceptual, and ethical issues around gender, love, and sexuality.
Exercise and improve the skills of rigorous analysis and respectful dialogue in order to become better citizens of a free society where you do not always agree but nevertheless exchange reasons for your beliefs and actions in a civil and public-spirited way.
Required Course Materials
Required Textbooks
There are two required textbooks for this course.
Frankfurt, H. G. (2006). The reasons of love. Princeton University Press.
Halwani, R., Soble, A., Hoffman, S., & Held, J. (Eds). (2017). The philosophy of sex: Contemporary readings (7th ed.). Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Overview of Assignments
This is an online course, and this course is highly interactive. All course readings, videos, notes, and other materials are posted online. You are required to read course material, and participate/post class discussions on a timely regular basis, according to posted instructions. Regular completion of reading assignments and participation in online discussions are essential to the course. In order to successfully complete this course, you must demonstrate your understanding of the material by:
Reading the required weekly text chapters and/or assigned articles
Watching the video lectures
Participating actively in the online asynchronous discussions and collaborating with your assigned group
Completing the two reflection assignments
Submitting a short paper
Writing a midterm paper and final paper
Here is an overview of all of the assignments in the course.
Online Discussions: Students will be divided into small groups and write and post in the discussion forums regularly throughout the term. Each discusses the main topic of the module, synthesizes the readings (300 words), and includes two replies to other students’ posts (100 words). One of the group members is required to record a 3-5 minute video to summarize the group discussion and share it with the entire class. The discussion activities provide students with an opportunity to deeply reflect on the readings assigned to each module and relate them to real-world situations. All of the posts on the discussion board are required to be thoughtful, reflective, and concise.
At the end of the semester, you will score your entire team, including yourself, based on the quality of each member’s contributions. Your instructor will average these scores and make any necessary adjustments to determine your Peer Evaluation grade.
Short Paper: Your task in this paper is to analyze the view of the relationship between love and reason articulated by Frankfurt in an essay entitled “The Question: ‘How Should We Live?’” You are to make clear the basis of the disagreement by explaining what view of the relationship between human nature, love, and reason underlies each position. Your paper is to be 3-4 pages long (800-1100 words), typed and double-spaced. Remember that the maximum length requirement is an important aspect of this assignment.
Reflection Assignments: There are two reflection assignments in the course. The first reflection requires you to reflect on the difficulties in precisely defining sex. Your reflection should be 1-2 pages long (250-300 words), typed, and double-spaced. The second reflection requires you to tour an art exhibit or collection, either virtually or at a gallery or museum in your area. You should select an artwork whose representation of sexual orientation or erotic partnership in human life you find thought-provoking or compelling. You will prepare a 3-5 minute video presentation and share it with the class in a discussion forum.
Midterm Paper: You will encounter a range of views on the nature and purpose of romantic partnership as an intimate practice between consenting adults. You have also grappled with a bunch of conceptual and normative issues surrounding gender as a part of our everyday lived experience. In this paper, you will select either partnership or gender as your topic and then proceed to offer an analysis of the conceptual and normative issues surrounding it. Your midterm paper should be 5-6 pages long (1300-1700 words), typed, and double-spaced. Remember that the maximum length requirement is an important aspect of this assignment.
Final Paper: In this paper, you will select either objectification/sexual violence or sex work as your topic and then offer an analysis of the conceptual and normative issues surrounding it. Your final paper should be 5-6 pages long (1300-1700 words), typed, and double-spaced. Remember that the maximum length requirement is an important aspect of this assignment.
