There will be two types of evaluations:
A. Student Performance
B. Evaluation of the Course by you
A. Evaluation of your performance. This will be based on:
1. Thirty percent of your course grade will be based on your critical review of a book. Due October 13, 2006.
2. For 20% of your grade: Participation in the discussion during the Wednesday session. The discussion leader will explain how the session will be run and what is expected from each student.
3. For 10% of your grade: Participation in a web discussion board. Students will be required to participate in four posted discussion topics.
4. For 40% of your grade: Your accomplishment for one of the following four options. NOTE: You need to let us know not later than October 2, 2006 in writing which options you have selected.
Option A. A term paper in which you critically examine an ethical question pertaining to treatment and/or use of animals in the widest sense.
A typed outline for your proposed paper should be given to Dr. Cherney NOT LATER THAN OCTOBER 18, 2006, at the beginning of class. You will receive it back with comments and/or approval within two weeks.
The term paper should be based on professional literature (not on popular magazines such as Sports Illustrated, New York Times, etc.). However, you may have an occasional reference to such publications. Be careful about using WEB references.
As we expect students who select option b, c or d to use their imagination we will take into account whether your term paper presents a new point of view or a new solution to a problem.
If you wish, you may obtain a preliminary review of your term paper. Your discussion leader will return it with comments and suggestions for improvement within two weeks. (Do not wait until two weeks before the paper is due.)
TERM PAPERS ARE DUE NOT LATER THAN 4 P.M. ON DECEMBER 1, 2006
Option B. An oral defense of one of three propositions (see examples) you submit. (A proposition is a subject or statement presented for discussion (Funk and Wagnalls Standard College Dictionary, 1973.))
You need to submit the propositions NOT LATER THAN THE BEGINNING OF CLASS ON OCTOBER 18, 2006.
You can schedule your defense for any time between November 2 and November 12, for a defense BEFORE November 22, 2006.
The selection of the proposition to be defended occurs at the time you enter the examination room.
You should allow for about 1-2 weeks between the time you make your appointment for scheduling with both discussion leaders and the date of your defense. Your defense will be judged by Drs. Cherney and one other person.
To read an amusing account of an oral examination, read "Angels on a Pin" (part of the handout).
Option C. A board game or computer game in which ethical decisions lead to certain or uncertain consequences. (Jeopardy games have been used in previous years and thus are not original any longer.)
You need to submit an outline of the game NOT LATER THAN THE BEGINNING OF CLASS ON OCTOBER 18, 2006.
If you want to take this challenge you may do so either as an individual or as a group of not more than four students. All students in such a group will receive the same grade. The game should be demonstrated at the last session of your discussion section. An example of a student-generated computer game can be found on the world wide web (http://www.ansci.comell.edu/madson/).
Option D. Any type of evaluation that you and the instructor can agree on. Make an appointment to discuss this.
You need to submit an outline of your project NOT LATER THAN THE BEGINNING OF CLASS ON OCTOBER 18, 2006.
In summary: Your final grade will be the average of 30% of your grade for your critical book review book review; 20% of your grade for participation in the discussions; 10% of your grade for participation in the web board; 40% of your grade for the option you selected.
B. The course evaluation by you will be done by questionnaire.
If you wish the course to continue and to improve it is important that you hand these evaluations in and that you be critical and fair-minded.