A.

Carruth

Name___________________

Hum. 11

The Morality and Politics of Justice IControversy

The greatest deception men suff er is from their own opinions.
-Leonardo Da Vinci

Introduction
Moral Philosophy: Branch of philosophy concerned with
questions of right and wrong. It asks not what we do but what
we should do.
Political Philosophy: Branch of philosophy that asks what
laws, policies and rules should govern our collective life in
order to create a just society.
20th century moral and political philosopher, John Rawls, said,
Justice is the first virtue of social institutions. However,
justice is hard to define. Harvard University Professor of Government, Michael Sandel, writes in Justice:
Whats the Right Thing to Do?: Life in democratic societies is rife with disagreement about right and wrong,
justice and injustice. Some people favor abortion rights, and others consider abortion to be murder. Some
believe fairness requires taxing the rich to help the poor, while others believe it is unfair to tax away money
people have earned through their own efforts..(27). As Sandel suggests, the United States citizenry and
government has become hyper-polarized when it comes to politics. We pick our camp, seek out other people
and sources that affirm our beliefs, and argue vehemently against the other side without critically analyzing
whether or not our political views and corresponding policies are actually JUST.
In 1799, the Spanish painter, Francisco Goya, produced a work of art entitled El Sueo de la Razn Produce
Monstruos (The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters). In his painting, he expresses that without awareness and
reason, we risk losing our sense of morality. Beliefs are contagious and as you embark on the next chapter of
your life, you will find plenty of people telling you what you should believe, do and feel. However, how do you
know for yourself what is the right course of belief, action or feeling? Thus, the goal of this project is to invite
you, the student, to subject your own views about justice to critical examination, to awaken the restlessness of
reason and see where it might lead and lastly, to figure out what you believe and why.

Your Task
Your task will be to attempt to end the political polarization that characterizes our national political debate both
in the media and between opposing political parties IN THE IMMEDIATE WAKE OF OUR PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTION!! You will engage community members in moral dialogues to examine how the government
should resolve a political issue. Rather than propose a solution based on what the Republican or Democratic
parties believe, you will defend a thesis that argues how the government should balance competing ideals in
creating a JUST resolution.

Essential Questions

What do I believe and why?

What is Justice? What is the right thing to do?
What is the individuals role in creating a just society?
How should the government balance security, liberty and equality in order to create a just society?

Project Calendar

A. Carruth

Name___________________

Hum. 11

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

10

11

12

13

14

In Class
Project overview
Topic Brainstorm

In Class
Mini-Lesson:
Rhetoric Part 2:
Ethos, Pathos,
Logos

Due Today:
Doublespeak

Indigenous
Peoples Day Field
Trip

Homework
Read
Doublespeak by
Thursday

Draft Part 1 of IControversy

In Class
Mini-lesson:
Credible sources for
your Research
FINISH Part 1 of IControversy, begin
research for part 2

Honors: Zinn
reading discussion

Research for Part 2

of I-Controversy

17

18

19

20

21

In Class
Mini-lesson:
Review Writing
Rubric

In Class
Mini-lesson:
MLA formatting
and in-text citations
Indicating titles

PSAT- No
Humanities

In Class
Mini-lesson:
Logical Fallacies

Chem Lab
No Humanities

SLC Guidelines
overview

Research Part 3

Write Part 2 (Due

Thursday)

HOMEWORK
Finish research for
Part 3 by Monday

Research Part 2
24

25

26

27

28

In Class
Begin
outlining/drafting
Part 3

Write Part 3 (Due

Tomorrow)

DUE: Part 3!
Part 4 Brainstorm
Mini-lesson: Active
Verbs
Begin conferences
with Ashley on
Parts 2 and 3 Peer Parts 2 and 3
Critique/Worksho
p

Project work time!

31

Nov 1

Staff PD- No
School

Project work time

Project work time

Project work time

Project work time

Conference w/
Ashley

Conference w/
Ashley

Conference w/
Ashley

Conference w/
Ashley

10

11

Intro Project 2:
Korematsu v. U.S.
Mock Trial

ELECTION DAY!
Project 2 ContentBuilding!

Project 2 ContentBuilding

Morality and
Politics of Justice
Exhibition

Exhibition Debrief,
DP Update and
Project Reflection

Parts 2 and 3
Conferences

Topic Choice:
Choose one of the yes/no controversial questions from the procon.org website, isidewith.com or from
Intelligence Squared to focus your paper on. You may choose your own yes/no question not from the website
with my approval. For this paper to work, your main issue must be framed as a yes/no statement or question

A. Carruth
Name___________________
Hum. 11
and involve a conflict between at least two of the following values: Security, Liberty, Equality.

Part 1 Your connection to the controversy. (500-750 Words Min., First

Person) 25 points

Thesis Generator: What people have you known or life experiences have you had that have shaped your
perspective on your topic?
o You do not need outside sources for this section unless you have already been personally shaped by
one. Your evidence in this section should come from your personal experience.

Part 2 Look carefully at the pro side. (750 Words Min., Third Person, 3
Sources Min.) 50 points

Thesis Generator: Overall, where is the pro side coming from? What is driving this side of the argument?
o In this section, be sure to present the best arguments for the pro side, and analyze those arguments
using some criteria, framework, or classification system. For example, you might look at the moral
and factual arguments separately; or, you might focus your analysis on the quality or character of the
sources; or you might demonstrate how each part of the argument boils down to some foundational
principle. TAKE YOURSELF OUT OF THIS! Just report on the BEST arguments out there.
Min. Requirements: Proper in-text citation and use of quotes, use of 3rd person argumentative style of
writing, works cited page, at least one reference to a moral philosophy you see connected to the arguments
on this side.

Part 3 Look carefully at the con side. (750 Words Min., Third Person, 3
Sources Min.) 50 points

Thesis Generator: Overall, where is the con side coming from? What is driving this side of the argument?
o In this section, be sure to present the best arguments for the con side, and analyze those arguments
using some criteria, framework, or classification system. For example, you might look at the moral
and factual arguments separately; or, you might focus your analysis on the quality or character of the
sources; or you might demonstrate how each part of the argument boils down to some foundational
principle. TAKE YOURSELF OUT OF THIS! Just report on the BEST arguments out there.
Min. Requirements: Proper in-text citation and use of quotes, use of 3rd person argumentative style of
writing, works cited page, at least one reference to a moral philosophy you see connected to the arguments
on this side.

Part 4 Design a project or write a paper to demonstrate your critical

thinking. Your project/writing must meet the following guidelines: 75
points
A recommendation as to how the government should resolve the issue to ensure Justice. You must define justice
through the moral and political philosophy frameworks we study. You need to make a strong case for why your
resolution is just and why the ideal(s) you choose are most important.
A connection to the moral philosophy that supports your perspective on justice as it relates to the issue at hand
(Utilitarianism, Libertarianism, Deontology, or Rawls Justice as Fairness)
Skillful use of ethos, pathos and logos
Your project must NOT contain any logical fallacies!
Project Options
Write an op-ed article and submit it for publication in a local newspaper or another newspaper of your
choosing
Write a letter to a political official whom you have researched as an appropriate representative to enact
your proposal

A.

Carruth
Name___________________
Hum. 11
Create an art piece (the medium can be of your choosing)
Make a video
Write a song/poem/speech and perform it at exhibition or record it and get it to a broader audience
somehow!
Make a political campaign poster
What do you think is the best way for an individual to ensure justice in a democratic society in regards
to your chosen issue? Bake sale? Unlikely. Protest rally? Maybe, but you better have some serious
organizing skills and a darn good cause. Figure it out and take action to bring your vision to fruition.

Assessment
Part 1 (25 points): Pass/Fail
Have you written authentically, thoughtfully, and sincerely? Have you met the min. requirements? Have you
revised for spelling and grammar and ensured that your writing is free of typos? Great! Then you will pass!

Parts 2-3 (50 points each): Writing rubric (see below)

Part 4 (75 points): If you choose to do a piece of writing, I will assess it based on the same writing rubric as
parts 2 and 3. For op-eds, I have an op-ed specific rubric if you choose that route. If you choose to do a more
creative project, you will need to submit an artist statement with a works cited page. I will use the following
rubric to assess the quality of your project.
In addition to meeting the min. requirements for Part 4 as outlined above, your project must demonstrate the
following:
1. Purpose: Your project must have a clear and supported perspective.
2. Critical Thinking: Your project must demonstrate critical thinking about your question.
3. Intertextuality: Your project must reference a min. of 3 outside sources and have an MLA Works Cited
included.
4. Audience: Your project should be refined so that it engages your audience. If you turn in a video, make
your edits clean and be thoughtful about your camera angles, etc. Have pride in your final piece. If you
produce an art piece, it had better go through multiple drafts of peer critique and refinement and be a
refined, polished piece that is displayed in a professional manner for exhibition. If you perform a song,
speech or poem, same basic principles apply. If you are at all unsure as to whether or not your project
will be appropriate, beautiful or professional enough for your audience, just talk to Ashley.

I-Controversy Writing Rubric

10-9
Superb to very strong
execution of the
standard

8
Meets the standard
with some room for
improvement

Thesis and Introduction

7
Approaching the
standard- almost
there!

3-6
Below the standard

0
Standard is not
present

A. Carruth
Name___________________
Introduction clearly outlines the context for your essay
Thesis responds to the prompt in a way that is succinct, focused, and direct

Hum. 11

Organization
Topic sentences support argument in thesis
Topic sentences are clear, succinct, and direct
Topic sentences guide paragraph content
Paragraphs are organized in a clear, effective manner (such as T, E, A, E, A, etc).
Effective transitions link ideas together
Ideas and paragraphs logically flow in a way that makes sense.
Careful Thinking/Argumentation
Arguments are well-supported, without any unsupported generalizations or
misinterpretations.
Background information provides context for evidence
Commentary and evaluation shows deep insight and complex thinking about the
issue
Focus remains on topic in every paragraph
Conclusions reached are logical and naturally follow from the arguments and
evidence in your paper
Your moral philosophy reference is logical and accurate
Evidence
There is ample evidence from various reputable sources to support your claim.
Evidence used is relevant and accurate
Evidence is carefully chosen and cut for maximum impact and relevance, without
compromising the integrity of the original source
Evidence is referenced and cited (in text) using MLA whenever necessary
Quotes are set up correctly and analyzed succinctly and insightfully
Sentence Craft, Style, and Proofreading
Tone, voice, and point of view are always appropriate to the purpose and
audience
Active verbs and precise nouns add clarity
Sentence length adds variety with no awkward or unfocused
constructions
Sentences are focused, with concrete subjects (NO passive voice)
Quotes and evidence are introduced and seamlessly integrated
No errors, typos, etc. Ready for publication.
Works cited is formatted correctly

This is where I will

most heavily
evaluate the use of
your philosophical
arguments and use
of rhetoric
(ethos/pathos)