To prepare for this paper, you will choose a “popular” film on a topic of relevance to the course.  Popular means that the film was produced for the general public and is available beyond the scientific or academic media.  A list of possible film choices are provided below.  The purpose of this assignment is to examine the substance of an argument or position posed to the general public and determine its ethical characteristics.  Your paper may include most, if not all, of these aspects: Purpose – what is the purpose of the author or film maker?, Question – Is the question at issue well-stated?, Information – Does the writer or producer cite relevant evidence, experiences, and or information essential to the issue?  Is the information accurate?, Concepts – does the writer or producer clarify key concepts when necessary?, Inferences – does the writer or producer develop a line of reasoning explaining well how she/he arrived at her or his main conclusions?  What ethical concepts can be applied to this reasoning?, Point of View – does the writer or producer show an awareness of alternative relevant points of view or lines of reasoning?, Implications – does the writer or producer show an awareness of the implications and consequences of the position he/she is taking?

However, the main point is to apply 3 ethical theories to the issues addressed in the film. This means thoroughly defining each theory with at least 2 separate, credible sources and then step by step explaining how the issue applies or rejects an ethical theory. 

LIST OF POSSIBLE FILMS:

• Bananas! 2009
• Farmageddon 2011
• Sweet Misery: A Poisoned World 2004
• We Feed the World 2005
• Colony 2009
• Super Size Me 2004
• Forks Over Knives 2011
• Deconstructing Supper 2002
• Fresh 2009
• King Corn 2007
• Plastic Planet 2009
• A River of Waste: The Hazardous Truth 2009
• Vanishing of the Bees
• The Dust Bowl by Ken Burns
• Food Matters
• Genetically Modified Food 2005
• Food Inc. 2008
• Bad Seed: The Truth About Our Food 2005
• If a Tree Falls 2011
• Made in LA 2007

1,000+ word minimum

12 point font

Double spaced

One inch margins

Cover page (APA format)

Running head and page # (APA format)

Introduction and Conclusion (no abstract required)

At least 3 ethical theories applied (Pick from: Hedonism, Desire Satisfaction Theory, Divine Command Theory, Natural Law Theory, Ethical Egoism (NOT Psychological Egoism), Consequentialism or Utilitarianism, Kantian Ethics, Virtue Ethics, Social Contract Theory, Ethical Relativism (can include Cultural Relativism)   – if you veer from this list, you MUST check with Prof. Hammack – failure to do so may result in 0 for that critical thinking section.

Headings for Intro, Conclusion, and each Ethical Theory (APA format)

Reference page (APA format)

Minimum 6 sources on Ethical Theory NOT the “topic” (DO NOT USE Pp slides or videos).