Joe Lau

Argument mapping assignment

  • The task of the assignment is to complete an argument map about the issue: Is it morally wrong to eat meat?
  • It will be assumed for the purpose of the assignment that the meat comes from killing animals.
  • See this page for an introduction about argument mapping. See also the Wikipedia article on argument mapping. It has a list of special softwares you can use. You can also use MS Word. But remember that programs can crash and you can lose your work so make backups!
  • You can make use of material from your own research but you CANNOT copy from your classmates. If this is discovered you will be failed and sent to the HKU disciplinary committee with the recommendation that your study be suspended or terminated.
  • You can choose to complete this assignment either on your own, or with a partner from the same course. Your partner can be either in the Wed or Sat section. If you would like to work with a partner but cannot find one, post a request on the Moodle online forum to see if any student would like to pair up with you.
  • Before you complete the assignment, you should fill in the online student evaluation questionnaire BEFORE May 12, 2013. Log on to the HKU portal, and then go to this website to complete the evaluation for CCHU9005: http://setl.hku.hk
  • Completing this assignment and getting a good grade require research and planning. Start your preparation early!

Requirements

  • The argument map should be either printed out or handwritten on a sheet of A3 paper. You can print it out on A4 and use a photocopier to magnify to A3. f you write it out, make should you write legibly.
  • In the top left hand corner, put down your name, student ID, your tutorial group number, and the name of your tutor. If you are completing the assignment with a partner write down the details for both of you. Also indicate whether you are in the Wed or Sat section.
  • NO citation is necessary.
  • Here is a small-scale version of something that might be submitted: Of course, your version should be a lot more elaborate. If you submit something like that you will likely get a "fail" grade.
  • Your submission should be more sophisticated in at least two ways: (a) you should consider more supporting reasons (pros) and objections (cons); (b) the sample argument map shows only the first level of pros and cons. You should display a second layer in the map offering pros and cons for the points in the first layer. (c) If you are working with a partner, you should also offer a third layer of pros and cons.
  • You are not expected to offer pros and cons for every reason or objection you have listed. This will make the argument too complicated and difficult to read. Try to offer elaboration only on points that are popular, or important.
  • It is up to you how detailed the argument map should be. But the overall expectation is that the map should be (a) informative for people and not too simplistic, (b) clearly designed and structured, and easy to read, (c) deals with some of the main reasons and objections about eating meat.
  • There are many different ways of presenting argument maps. You can also use your own notation to distinguish between supporting reasons and objections. (example)
  • Choose any font size you want, and you can put the reasons in a box if you want to. You decide on the design but again make sure that the result is easy to read.
  • Submit the hardcopy of the argument map to Loletta at the Philosophy Dept Office BEFORE 5pm on June 4th 2013. There is NO LATE SUBMISSION because we need to grade the assignments right away and submit the grades for the course.