Many companies locate manufacturing activities in countries with low labour costs and few labour laws. What ethical obligations do businesses have when operating in such countries? Discuss these practices in relation to the issues of global justice.
Instructions: Your essay must incorporate a detailed discussion and analysis of the relevant arguments presented in at least SIX* of the assigned readings for your chosen topic. This means you should include assessments of opposing viewpoints and objections. Remember to state your own view clearly and to defend it using some of the theoretical resources (theories, principles) we have discussed in class. *Some questions ask you to address arguments from more than SIX sources. In these cases you should examine all the relevant arguments in detail. Aim to use SIX to TEN sources in total. You do not need to discuss the arguments from every source in the same detail. The SIX readings you discuss in detail for the essay must be from the PHIL201 reading list and from the week or weeks relevant to your topic. You should also select your additional sources from the reading list. Students may consult appropriate sources not on the reading list if they have used at least SIX of the prescribed readings. Students who do not use the prescribed readings will FAIL the assignment. Word Length: 1800 words Chosen Topic (Question): Many companies locate manufacturing activities in countries with low labour costs and few labour laws. What ethical obligations do businesses have when operating in such countries? Discuss these practices in relation to the issues of global justice and globalization and with reference to at least one real business example. Does it make a difference to the morality of this practice if manufacturing is outsourced to a third party?
Essays develop your ability to engage with a topic in detail and to express, analyze and
organize key ideas clearly and systematically. An essay is an opportunity to reflect deeply
on an issue and to consider competing views in order to reach a justified position on a topic.
Preparation
• Read the description of the Final Essay in the Assessment Guide.
• Review the essay questions and choose ONE question to answer.
• Read ‘A Guide to Writing and Referencing Philosophy Essays’. Many of the points
made in this outline are included in more detail in the Guide (in the Assessment
section on the iLearn homepage).
• Each of the essay questions is about one or more of the topics we have covered in
the unit. You should identify which topic or topics your chosen question is about and
consult the relevant readings for that topic. Some of the questions tell you the
specific readings you need to use for the essay. If so, you must address these
readings and the relevant arguments in them.
• Read and think carefully about the issue before writing. Do you understand the main
concepts, arguments, positions and theories? Could you explain them to friends if
they asked you about them?
• Research: Your essay must incorporate a detailed discussion and analysis of the
relevant arguments presented in at least two of the assigned readings for your
chosen topic (recommended: 4-6 sources in total). You are expected to
demonstrate that you have read and understood the assigned readings for a topic.
Essays that include only or predominately sources not on the reading list will be
penalized and may fail.
• Review the marking rubric for this assignment.
• Read the Macquarie University Academic Honesty Policy (in the Assessment section
on the iLearn homepage).
Answering the question
• You must answer your chosen question in the form of an essay. Make sure you
include a brief introduction outlining the topic and stating the position you will argue
for in the essay. Your conclusion should not include new arguments or claims. The
job of the conclusion is merely to summarize the main arguments you have made in
the essay and to state clearly your overall position.
• Each paragraph in the body of your essay should focus on one main point. Do not try
to address different points or arguments in a single paragraph. Keep paragraphs
relatively short and focussed.
• All of the topics we have covered involve arguments for and against various
positions. The best essays tend to be those that take up a particular position rather
than sitting on the fence (weak essays often take a middle position, refusing to
endorse one side or the other).
• Make sure that you explain and analyse competing arguments relevant to the topic.
You will be assessed on how well you justify your conclusions rather than on the
particular position you endorse.
• However, you need to address the main objections to the view you support and
respond to at least some of these objections.
• Remember to argue for your claims and conclusions and to avoid making
unsupported assertions.
• Be willing to change your mind. Don’t simply look for arguments that support the
view you want to be correct.
• Answer the questions succinctly and avoid introducing material not directly relevant
to the question.
• Make sure you answer every part of your chosen question.
• Remember to explain relevant arguments in your own words, limit direct quotations
and to avoid close paraphrasing of the source material.
• Include a separate bibliography with the main sources and any additional sources
you reference directly.
• Include citations in the body of the assignment where appropriate.
• Essays without any referencing are likely to fail and those with inadequate
referencing will lose a significant number of marks. Remember to include specific
page numbers with your citations when referring to particular claims, ideas or
arguments from your sources.
• You may use any of the major referencing styles provided you do so consistently. See
http://libguides.mq.edu.au/Referencing
Assessment Criteria
This task will be assessed by the following criteria:
1.Understanding and Knowledge
• Does the student demonstrate a deep and critical understanding of the relevant
issues?
2. Argument and Critical Analysis
• Does the student present a clear, coherent and well supported overall argument?
• Does the student explain and analyze key issues, concepts and arguments in a clear
and precise manner?
3. Originality and Creativity
• Does the student display originality and creativity in answering the question?
4. Communication
• Is the written expression clear and concise?
• Does the essay contain grammatical and spelling errors?
5. Research
• Is there evidence of excellent and relevant research that is well-integrated into the
main argument?
6. Referencing
• Is the essay properly referenced throughout?
• Is there a separate bibliography?
7. Length
• Is the essay the correct length?
Submission
• All assignments must be submitted in an MS Word file via Turnitin. A link will be
provided on the PHIL201 homepage.
• Include your name and student number.
• Assignments are due by 5.00pm AEST, 20 January, 2018