Final Paper The Final paper assignment (25% of final grade) is due no later than

Final Paper The Final paper assignment (25% of final grade) is due no later than 11:59 PM on the last day of the course, August 17, submitted in Canvas (as a .doc, .docx, or .pdf file). Late submissions will not be accepted except by prior arrangement with the instructor. Your grade for the “Final” category includes primarily final paper but also points for submitting a high-quality draft and for participation in the peer review process. You have two choices for your Final Paper. A. Research Paper You have already collected and analyzed about a specific topic for your Annotated Bibliography. You may now choose to write the short research paper that your bibliography prepared you to write. I expect this paper to be 1200-1500 words. That is not a long paper, but you can say a lot in that space. Please organize your paper with the following subheadings: Introduction – In one paragraph (two at the most), you will briefly outline the topic of your paper and make a clear and coherent thesis statement. That thesis statement tells the reader what the main argument of the paper is. Research Findings – In this section of the paper, you are explaining what factual information and what new perspectives you have learned from your research. You must cite the sources of your information throughout the paper, whether you are quoting, paraphrasing, or summarizing. If you are unsure of how and when to cite, make contact early with the Academic Success Center at Rivier. They are very helpful with writing assistance, including citation of research. Bioethical Analysis – In this section of the paper, you will explicitly use the human dignity principles (from Panicola), social justice principles (Catholic Social Teaching, explained in Cameron and Welch), any virtues you find relevant, and so on. With your analysis, you will explain how YOU think this bioethical issue ought to be judged and navigated. So, you will explain what principles you think outweigh others, what consequences are most important to consider, or what virtues are most important to develop and practice. Include in this section: • Some discussion of how individuals ought to act – personal factors • Some discussion of how society in general ought to play a role – communal factors Moral Complexity – Include a paragraph honestly and fairly explaining what you consider to be the biggest weaknesses of your argument. You may consider this a “Yes, but. . .” paragraph. What would a well-informed person of good will who disagrees with you say? Then, explain, briefly, why you have chosen YOUR position rather than theirs. Importantly, you do not want to present a caricature of your “opponents” position. Take them and their concerns very seriously, as you have done throughout the course. You have not agreed with everyone, I hope, but you have also genuinely tried to understand why they think what they think. References – All works that you cite in the paper are listed and formatted correctly in the References section. Please use APA format. (I don’t mind if you do not start a separate page, but I expect sources to be listed alphabetically by author, double-spaced, with a hanging indent.) B. Film Analysis You may watch one of the movies listed below and write an explanation and evaluation of the bioethical issues involved. So, what is a key ethical issue involved, what are the important elements to consider, and how would you analyze them and then evaluate ethical actions by using theological ethical principles – both human dignity principles (from Panicola) and Catholic Social Teaching (as described in Cameron and Welch)? Do not summarize the whole plot in the movie. Simply describe the key ethical issues. You must cite moments in the film (director date, approximate time in the movie) (Smith 2004, 46 min.) when you point to them. You are expected to cite course resources in your analysis and evaluation. You will write an essay of 1200-1500 words that includes: Introduction — A brief introduction to the film, the issue to be engaged, and a thesis statement that makes your judgment clear. Bioethical Analysis and Evaluation – A rich description of what bioethical issues are at stake in the film and an analysis from both the individual and social perspectives. Given your analysis and your application of the moral principles from Panicola and CST, give your own evaluation not of the quality of the film but of the moral actions that are taken. Include: • Some discussion of how individuals ought to act – personal factors • Some discussion of how society in general ought to play a role – communal factors Moral Complexity — Include a paragraph honestly and fairly explaining what you consider to be the biggest weaknesses of your argument. You may consider this a “Yes, but. . .” paragraph. What would a well-informed person of good will who disagrees with you say? Then, explain, briefly, why you have chosen YOUR position rather than theirs. Importantly, you do not want to present a caricature of your “opponents” position. Take them and their concerns very seriously, as you have done throughout the course. You have not agreed with everyone, I hope, but you have also genuinely tried to understand why they think what they think. References — All works that you cite in the paper are listed and formatted correctly in the References section. Please use APA format. (I don’t mind if you do not start a separate page, but I expect sources to be listed alphabetically by author, double-spaced, with a hanging indent.) Films – Please note that you are responsible for deciding what content is acceptable for you. These films can deal with hard subjects, including some trauma. Look up reviews of the films and be sure you know what you are getting into. If you want to analyze a different film from the ones on the list, speak with me. Many of these films are available on DVD at the Rivier library. Some others are available through free streaming services through your local library, as DVDs at your local library, or, of course, through paid streaming services. A Beautiful Mind (2001) – mental illness and ability Gattaca (1997) – genetic screening and human enhancement My Left Foot (1989) – ability and disability Patch Adams (1998) – patient/provider roles in medicine Awakenings (1990) – medical experimentation on human subjects Limitless (2011) – human enhancement Girl, Interrupted (1999) – treatment of mental and emotional illness in adolescents Dirty Pretty Things (2002) – organ trade and vulnerable populations John Q (2002) – healthcare access Some Tips: • Use the Academic Success Center for writing help. • Write clearly, in well-structured paragraphs that support your thesis. • Be attentive to the mechanics of spacing (please double-space for readability), capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and grammar. Key Dates: • By 11:59 PM Sunday, 8/13, submit an “almost there” draft of your paper to Canvas. This will allow you to participate in the peer review process, which can be very valuable. • By 11:59 PM Tuesday, 8/15, submit your thought reviews to the two peers assigned to you in Canvas. • By 11:59 PM Thursday, 8/15, submit your final paper to Dr. Welch in Canvas