Problem sets (20%)

The two problem sets require you to draw argument maps. Please read this tutorial first. Also, see this page for examples. The maps should be printed out or drawn by hand neatly on either A4 or A3 paper. Here are some programs that might be useful. I would recommend 2 sheets of A4 at most. But it is alright if you need more space.

Note:

• NO late submission.
• Students who copy their work from others will be heavily penalized.

Problem set #1 (10%)

Your task is to draw an argument map showing the arguments for and against using animals for food. Hand in to Loletta Li at the Department of Philosophy before 2pm on Wed 9 March, or at the end of the lecture on 9 March.

Problem set #2 (10%)

Your task is to draw an argument map showing the arguments for and against legalizing the recreational use of marijuana in Hong Kong. Hand in to Loletta Li at the Department of Philosophy before 2pm on Wed 27 April, or at the end of the lecture on 27 April.

More guidelines about argument maps

There are two types of argument maps. The first type shows a single complex argument, as in the examples on http://philosophy.hku.hk/think/arg/complex.php. The other kind of argument map uses a diagram to show the arguments for and against a certain issue, as in this example here at http://www.austhink.org/argumentmapping/schematicmap.htm. The argument maps you should be drawing is of the SECOND kind. You should identify some of the reasons and objections against the claim to be discussed, and give reasons and objections to them as well. Obviously, the whole thing can get very complicated. It is up to you how many reasons and objections you want to show, and how many levels of arguments there should be. The main aim of the map is to give an overview of the main issues in the debate, so that someone who has not thought about it would get a good picture of what's going on. Obviously you want to include some of the main arguments that are relevant, but the diagrams should not be so complicated that makes it difficult to understand. You might want to look at this example HERE. It is a clear map and nicely done. For your homework, it would be good NOT to be more complicated than this example.

Optional presentation

About 10 students in this course can choose to do a 10 minute presentation instead of the first problem set. The presentation can be a multimedia review of something about food (e.g. a special restaurant visit, a short talk about some cusine), or you can bring something that you cook yourself to share and give a short talk about it. If you would like to choose this option, you should write up a short proposal (one or two paragraphs) and email it to Joe Lau. Students who offer the most interesting and educational (and tasty!) proposals will be selected to do the presentation during the half hour (12:30 - 1pm) before some of the lectures.

Accepted proposals

• Anne Whitman - "What is the Difference between Low-Fat and Full-Fat Cuisine?" with blind tasting (23 March)
• Choi Anna Ching Ying - "The Chiu Chow Cuisine" (30 March)
• Lila Lam - "Is drinking wine superior to drinking beer? A sociological and cultural study" (20 April)

Deadline for submission of proposal : 20 Feb 2005.

---