Guidelines for Position Statement for Module #2 – Fairness and Equality
Please analyze and answer the question/prompt below, taking a clear position and supporting your position. Include your consideration of the trade-offs or drawbacks to your position. You do not need to do any additional research to develop your response. However, your analysis should consider not only the reading specifically assigned for Day #4 of the module, but the entire content of the module including all readings, class discussions and class activities.
Prompt:
Is the current state of affairs in CEO pay excessively high or justified?1 Why? In your analysis, please clarify your conception of fairness and consider the impact of your position on at least one stakeholder2 group. From among the authors we have covered in Days 2 & 3 of this module, which one author would you choose to design your company’s pay scale? Why?
1 Note that the prompt is not asking whether CEOs should be paid more than the average employee, which is fairly obvious. You will need to read the Day 4 readings to learn the current state of CEO pay and decide whether it is excessively high, or justified.
2 Stakeholders are any group that is impacted by the decisions and behavior of a company. Stakeholders may include employees, stockholders/shareholder (owners), community, suppliers, customers etc.
Grading:
Your Position Statement will be graded on the content and quality of your analysis.
Content:
Support/justification for a clear, stated position
Identification and consideration of alternate perspectives OR drawbacks to the stated position
Application of course concepts and referencing readings as applicable to a stance you take
Quality
Writing clarity, spelling, grammar, and organization
On-time submission and adherence to format requirements below.
Originality
Your Position Statement must be your own work and must pass Turnitin’s plagiarism/originality check.
Format:
Your Position Statement should be no longer than 400 words (one-page, 1.5 spacing). Font size and margins are unrestricted due to the 400-word limit.
The following information must appear at the top of the page (not included in word count):
Your Name
Module # and topic (e.g., Module 1 Scarcity & Property Rights)
Word count of your paper
Submission:
Submit your typed Position Statement via Canvas > Assignments > Position Statement for Module 2 > File Upload. No emailed versions will be accepted.
Guidance for Position Statements:
Have you answered all parts of the prompt? A well written response will clearly state your position early in your paper. Do not make the reader have to look for your position.
Have you supported your position? Good support for your position should be clearly and logically written. It should include specific references to course material and/or discussions. The reader should be able to tell that your response reflects that you have been in this class (not an answer that could have been written before you took this class).
Have you included a trade-off or a drawback to your stated position? Every decision and particularly business decisions involve evaluating trade-offs and then making your decision.
What is the quality of your writing? Well-organized, correct spelling and grammar, etc… Do you need someone to review it for you? Do you need to use the Writing Center? Since you are limited to 400 words, have you used your available words to support your position and fully answer the question? This is an exercise in preparing a concise response.
Have you followed all the instructions? Name, word count, hard-copy and Canvas submissions, etc.
In summary: Create a well-written response that states your position, uses most of your available words to provide support for your position and include at least one trade-off related to your position.
Rubric
SP20 PS #2 Fairness & Equality
SP20 PS #2 Fairness & Equality
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePOSITION
Clearly stated position that directly addresses the prompt (as opposed to vague, generic statements). Clear choice of author; clear impact on stakeholder.
20 pts
Level 4
17 pts
Level 3
15 pts
Level 2
13 pts
Level 1
20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeCONSISTENCY/DEPTH
Consistent logic and ability to apply authors’ main ideas to pay scale issue. Justifies stance with a conception of fairness that align with own values/beliefs (WHY did you choose to align with this particular position?)
20 pts
Level 4
17 pts
Level 3
15 pts
Level 2
13 pts
Level 1
20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeTRADE-OFFS
Acknowledge trade-offs or drawbacks to the stated position. Consideration of alternate perspectives presented by readings.
15 pts
Level 4
13 pts
Level 3
10 pts
Level 2
8 pts
Level 1
15 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeCOURSE CONCEPTS
Application of course concepts and readings from a range of sources throughout the module. Clear understanding and use of concepts.
30 pts
Level 4
27 pts
Level 3
24 pts
Level 2
21 pts
Level 1
30 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWRITING
Writing quality and clarity. Careful proofreading to avoid editing issues.
10 pts
Level 4
8 pts
Level 3
6 pts
Level 2
4 pts
Level 1
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeINSTRUCTIONS
Careful attention to formatting and submission instructions. Hard-copy submitted in class and electronic copy posted on time.
5 pts
Level 4
4 pts
Level 3
3 pts
Level 2
1 pts
Level 1
5 pts
Total Points: 100
