General Instructions:
1. Before writing, carefully read the instructions for this entire assignment.
2. Compose your responses in a separate document.
3. Label and number the headings for each paragraph. (A1, A2, B, C1, C2, D1, D2)
4. Proofread your writing for spelling, grammar, and overall clarity.
5. Submit your assignment by copying your responses into the provided textbox or by attaching the document as a .docx or .pdf file.
6. Save a personal copy of your assignment in case of a submission error.
7. Late papers are accepted through the last day of classes before the week of final exams, but with a 20% late penalty.
8. Once graded, writing assignments cannot be corrected or resubmitted for a new grade.
9. All writing must be original to this course and authored by students without the assistance of artificial intelligence.
A. Big Ideas
A1. Write a paragraph (approximately 150-250 words) that identifies and explains one of the big ideas discussed by Mill in Utilitarianism. [20 points]
a. Clearly state this big idea in the paragraph’s topic sentence.
b. Explain Mill’s reasons for taking this position.
c. Explain why this idea is important to Mill.
d. Cite and incorporate at least one passage related to your big idea from the primary text PDF of Mill’s Utilitarianism used in this course, including the paragraph number in parentheses.
*Failure to cite and incorporate at least one cited passage from the assigned primary text PDF used specifically in this online course, including the unique red paragraph number (e.g., 2A or 6C), will result in zero points being assigned for this section of the paper.
A2. Write a second paragraph (approximately 150-250 words) that identifies and explains a second big idea discussed by Mill in Utilitarianism. [20 points]
a. Clearly state this second big idea in the paragraph’s topic sentence.
b. Explain Mill’s reasons for taking this position.
c. Explain why this idea is important to Mill.
d. Cite and incorporate at least one passage related to your big idea from the primary text PDF of Mill’s Utilitarianism used in this course, including the paragraph number in parentheses.
*Failure to cite and incorporate at least one cited passage from the assigned primary text PDF used specifically in this online course, including the unique red paragraph number (e.g., 2A or 6C), will result in zero points being assigned for this section of the paper.
B. Primary Text
Select a specific passage (approximately 150-250 words) from the primary text PDF of Mill’s Utilitarianism used specifically in this online course that functions as a kind of “key” to understanding the whole of Utilitarianism. You may choose any passage you believe meets this criterion.
a. Type out, word for word, the text of your key passage in full.
b. Use quotation marks and supply a paragraph number in parentheses.
C. Analysis of Primary Text
C1. Write a paragraph (approximately 150-250 words) that identifies the main idea of the key passage you selected from the primary text. [20 points]
a. Clearly state the main idea of your key passage in the paragraph’s topic sentence.
b. Identify the reasons given in the passage in support of this main idea.
c. Include citations from your key passage that provide evidence for your argument. Use quotation marks and supply paragraph numbers in parentheses.
*Failure to cite and incorporate at least one cited passage from the assigned primary text PDF used specifically in this online course, including the unique red paragraph number (e.g., 2A or 6C), will result in zero points being assigned for this section of the paper.
C2. Write a second paragraph (approximately 150-250 words) that explains why, in your view, the selected passage is a “key” to understanding the whole of Utilitarianism. [20 points]
a. Clearly state your reason for choosing this passage in the paragraph’s topic sentence.
b. Explain how this key passage helps us to better understand the whole of Utilitarianism.
c. Connect your explanation to both of the “big ideas” identified in section A.
d. Include citations that provide evidence for your argument. Use quotation marks and supply paragraph numbers in parentheses.
*Failure to cite and incorporate at least one cited passage from the assigned primary text PDF used specifically in this online course, including the unique red paragraph number (e.g., 2A or 6C), will result in zero points being assigned for this section of the paper.
D. Pop Culture Comparison
Find an example from pop culture—a scene from a movie or TV show, a song, a book, a commercial, a YouTube video, etc.—that touches on the same topic as your cited key passage. Avoid generalities and try to choose a particular scene from a show or a particular set of lines from a song. (For example, you might choose a scene from a movie or TV show where someone sacrifices their own happiness for the sake of greater happiness for others and then compare that scene to Mill’s utilitarianism.)
D1. Write a paragraph (approximately 150-250 words) that describes your example from pop culture. [10 points]
a. Clearly identify your pop culture example in the paragraph’s topic sentence.
b. Describe the relevant details associated with your example. The more specific you can be, the better. Focus on details that will be useful for your comparison.
D2. Write a second paragraph (approximately 150-250 words) that explains how your example is both similar to and different from what Mill says in your key passage. [10 points]
a. Clearly identify the main point of overlap between your pop culture example and your key passage in the paragraph’s topic sentence.
b. Compare and contrast the details of the example with details from your key passage.
c. Include citations from your key passage that provide evidence for your argument. Use quotation marks and supply paragraph numbers in parentheses.
*Failure to cite and incorporate at least one cited passage from the assigned primary text PDF used specifically in this online course, including the unique red paragraph number (e.g., 2A or 6C), will result in zero points being assigned for this section of the paper.
