week 1: Discussion post: Purpose of General Education For this discussion, address the following prompts: •Provide at least three reasons why every student should be required to take general education courses. Explain your rationale. •Describe what you have learned from at least two specific courses (e.g., philosophy, history, or psychology) that illustrated usefulness in your daily life. For instance, what did you learn in history classes beyond just names, dates, and places? In literature courses, what did you learn about life, the university, and everything beyond the literary work itself? ASSIGNMENT: Reflecting on Personal Identity and Global Citizenship Review the Global Education and Global Citizenship video and read the article “A Model of Global Citizenship: Antecedents and Outcomes” by Stephen Reysen and Iva Katzarska-Miller. Please take some time to reflect on how the concept of global citizenship has shaped your identity and respond to the following prompts: •Based on the video, explain the importance of educating others on global citizenship. •Address each of the following outcomes of global citizenship as they pertain to the development of your own identity: intergroup empathy, valuing diversity, social justice, environmental sustainability, intergroup helping, and the level of responsibility to act for the betterment of this world (found in the article). Explain how your environment influences these outcomes. •Provide at least two personal examples or events in your life that illustrate the development of global citizenship based on the outcomes. •Analyze how your general education courses influenced you to become a global citizen. •Demonstrate critical thinking by accurately interpreting the evidence (scholarly sources) provided. Your paper •Must be 750 – 1,000 words in length (excluding title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. •Must include a separate title page with the following: ◦Title of paper ◦Student’s name ◦Course name and number ◦Instructor’s name ◦Date submitted •Must cite at least the two sources used for this assignment. week 2: Discussion1: •Review the Final Research Project instructions in Week Five, and identify two potential research topics(Topics such as:healthcare reform, immigration reform, privacy rights, euthanasia, First Amendment Rights, stem cell research, capital punishment, corporate prisons, legalizing drugs, ageism, animal rights, cloning, prayer in schools, racial profiling, recycling/conservation, sexism, outsourcing jobs, workplace bullying, etc) **Keep in mind that you will choose just one for the Week Three Annotated Bibliography assignment and the Final Research Project. •Describe methods to use in identifying and narrowing your research paper topic. •Examine and summarize information from at least two scholarly sources for one of the topics that may prove valuable as you seek to defend.

1. week 1:
Discussion post:
Purpose of General Education
For this discussion, address the following prompts: •Provide at
least three reasons why every student should be required to take
general education courses. Explain your rationale.
•Describe what you have learned from at least two specific
courses (e.g., philosophy, history, or psychology) that
illustrated usefulness in your daily life. For instance, what did
you learn in history classes beyond just names, dates, and
places? In literature courses, what did you learn about life, the
university, and everything beyond the literary work itself?
ASSIGNMENT:
Reflecting on Personal Identity and Global Citizenship
Review the Global Education and Global Citizenship video and
read the article “A Model of Global Citizenship: Antecedents
and Outcomes” by Stephen Reysen and Iva Katzarska-Miller.

2. Please take some time to reflect on how the concept of global
citizenship has shaped your identity and respond to the
following prompts:
•Based on the video, explain the importance of educating others
on global citizenship.
•Address each of the following outcomes of global citizenship
as they pertain to the development of your own identity:
intergroup empathy, valuing diversity, social justice,
environmental sustainability, intergroup helping, and the level
of responsibility to act for the betterment of this world (found
in the article). Explain how your environment influences these
outcomes.
•Provide at least two personal examples or events in your life
that illustrate the development of global citizenship based on
the outcomes.
•Analyze how your general education courses influenced you to
become a global citizen.
•Demonstrate critical thinking by accurately interpreting the
evidence (scholarly sources) provided.
Your paper
•Must be 750 – 1,000 words in length (excluding title and
reference pages) and formatted according to APA style as
outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
•Must include a separate title page with the following:
◦Title of paper

3. ◦Student’s name
◦Course name and number
◦Instructor’s name
◦Date submitted
•Must cite at least the two sources used for this assignment.
week 2:
Discussion1:
•Review the Final Research Project instructions in Week Five,
and identify two potential research topics(Topics such
as:healthcare reform, immigration reform, privacy rights,
euthanasia, First Amendment Rights, stem cell research, capital
punishment, corporate prisons, legalizing drugs, ageism, animal
rights, cloning, prayer in schools, racial profiling,
recycling/conservation, sexism, outsourcing jobs, workplace
bullying, etc)
**Keep in mind that you will choose just one for the Week
Three Annotated Bibliography assignment and the Final
Research Project.
•Describe methods to use in identifying and narrowing your
research paper topic.
•Examine and summarize information from at least two
scholarly sources for one of the topics that may prove valuable
as you seek to defend your claims regarding your chosen topic.

4. •Address why scholarly sources should be used to support your
writing on the selected topic.
Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length. Support
your claims with examples from required material(s) and/or
other scholarly sources, and properly cite any references.
Discussion 2:
Take a deeper look at your own life and determine which
experiences have inspired ethical and moral reasoning. Were
there any huge influences in this process?
Write Icon Write: For this discussion you will •Explain what it
means to be ethical as it relates to personal, academic, and
professional growth.
•Provide at least one ethical dilemma you have encountered and
describe how the issue was resolved.
•Describe how your general education courses influenced your
ethical values.
•Explain why a college-educated person might have different
duties to society than someone not as educated.
Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length. Support
your claims with examples from required material(s) and/or
other scholarly sources, and properly cite any references.
Assignment:

5. Knowing how to thoroughly research a topic is extremely
important while achieving your education. You may be asked to
support your information with peer-reviewed scholarly
resources, but how can you find this type of resource? The
Ashford University Library allows you to search through
different avenues to find the requested types of resources. You
can narrow your search by the author, year published, title,
subject, and also by indicating what type of resource you are
looking for. You even have access to a librarian if you need
some guidance in finding more resources on your topic.
In a two- to three-paragraph response
•Describe your experiences using resources, including concerns
encountered when conducting academic research through the
Ashford University Library. Areas of concern may include
developing a research strategy, using the search function within
a database, or evaluating sources.
•Explain how using the Ashford University Library has
improved your experience in conducting research.
The response must be formatted according to APA style. Each
paragraph should be at least five sentences
week 3:
Philosophy of Education

6. DISCUSSION1:
Prepare: Read the articles “Philosophy as Translation:
Democracy and Education from Dewey to Cavell” and
“Philosophy as Education and Education as Philosophy:
Democracy and Education from Dewey to Cavell” by Saitofrom
the EBSCOhost database in the Ashford University Library.
Reflect: As you take notes on the two articles, think about the
importance of understanding the philosophy behind taking
general education courses and how your courses have taught
you academic integrity, global citizenship, and cultural
sensitivity.
Write: For this discussion, respond to the following prompts:
•Describe the implications Stanley Cavell’s ordinary language
philosophy has on democracy and education. Provide an
example of ordinary language philosophy.
•Examine the ideas of mutual reflection and mutual
understanding as it relates to cultural differences.
•Share a learning experience of an ethical or moral lesson based
on John Dewey’s quote: “democracy must begin at home.”
Explain how that experience has influenced your level of
integrity while receiving your education.
Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length. Support
your claims with examples from required material(s) and/or

7. other scholarly sources, and properly cite any references.
Scholarly Sources & Bibliography Analysis
Prepare: In order to prepare for this assignment, you should
review the following tutorials in the Ashford Writing Center:
•Annotated Bibliography
•APA Checklist
•Sample Annotated Bibliography
Also, review the following information from the Ashford
University Library:
•Primary and Secondary Sources tutorial
•Primary Vs. Secondary Sources infographic
Takes notes by listing examples and differences between these
types of resources.
Reflect: Compare your list of examples between primary and

8. secondary resources. Good research is a combination of many
types of sources. Prior to taking this course, did you understand
the differences between these resources and the importance of
finding one type of resource over another?
Write: Provide your initial post that addresses these prompts:
•Explain the differences between primary and secondary sources
used in research.
•Identify a type of resource for your Final Research Project
topic that would be considered a primary source and one that
might be a secondary source, and explain why they fit in those
categories.
•Explain the advantages of using primary source documents in
your research on your Final Research Project topic.
•Review two peer-reviewed, scholarly resources from the
Ashford University Library that you will use for your Final
Research Project, and explain why they were chosen.
•Provide full reference information of the two scholarly articles
chosen in APA format at the end of your response.
•Download and attach the two articles that you found from the
Ashford University Library to your answer using the
“Attachments: Add/Remove” function located below your
response.
Skills Acquired Through General Education

9. JOURNAL:
Based on what you have learned as a university student,
including information and ideas gathered from the Week One
and Week Three readings and discussions about general
education, write a brief journal entry (350- 500 words) in which
you will
•Explain newly-developed skills as well as other learning
opportunities acquired through your university experience.
•Describe where and how you acquired the necessary skills that
helped you excel through the progression of your education. Be
sure to include examples.
•Develop a plan illustrating how you plan to transfer those
skills into everyday life.
•Demonstrate critical thinking skills by effectively
communicating ideas or points clearly, thoroughly, and
accurately.
The journal entry should meet APA standards and requirements
ASSIGNMENT:
Final Research Project Preparation – Annotated Bibliography

10. Review the Final Research Project instructions located in Week
Five. To help with the preparation of the paper, complete the
following items and submit them to your instructor as a single
document.
•Introduction to Topic: Refer to the Final Research Project
guidelines for your topic selection. For your introduction, you
should write a 150-word paragraph which clearly explains the
topic, the importance of further research, ethical implications,
and how the topic relates to one’s academic and professional
pursuits. Make sure you effectively inform the reader of the
rationale behind your topic.
•Thesis statement: Write a direct and concise thesis statement,
which will become the point or perspective you will argue or
prove in the Final Research Project. A thesis statement should
be a single declarative sentence that makes one point in 25
words or less. The thesis statement must appear within the
introduction paragraph.
•Annotated Bibliography: To help prepare for your Final
Research Project, write an annotated bibliography to indicate
the quality of the sources you have read. The bibliography must
include no less than five scholarly sources that will be used to
support the major points of the Final Research Project. Critical
thinking skills need to be demonstrated by accurately
interpreting evidence used to support various positions of the
topic. Please make sure to provide full reference information in
accordance with APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing
Center. Write a brief paragraph (around 150 words)
summarizing the source and explaining how it is pertinent and
relevant to the topic of the project and how each source will
support your thesis statement. See the Sample Annotated
Bibliography in the Ashford Writing Center for more detailed

11. information. Keep in mind the academic research standards for
all Ashford University papers.
For information regarding APA, including samples and
tutorials, visit the Ashford Writing Center.
The Final Research Project Preparation
•Must be 1,000 – 1,250 words in length (excluding the title and
reference pages) and formatted according to APA style as
outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
•Must include a separate title page with the following:
◦Title of paper
◦Student’s name
◦Course name and number
◦Instructor’s name
◦Date submitted
•Must use at least five scholarly sources.
•Must document all sources in APA style as outlined

12. Exceeds Expectations
Meets Expectations
Slightly Below Expectations
Below Expectations
Quality of Writing (10 points)
Sentence Structure
All sentences are well-constructed with varied structure.
3 points
Most sentences are well-constructed with varied structure.
2 points
Some sentences are well-constructed but some lack structure
and appear incomplete or rambling.
1 points
Sentences lack structure and appear incomplete or rambling.
0 points
Grammar, Spelling, Punctuation & Capitalization
Writer makes no errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation or
capitalization so the paper is exceptionally easy to read.
4 points
Writer makes 1-2 errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation or
capitalization but the paper is still easy to read.
3 points
Writer makes a few errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation or
capitalization that catch the reader's attention and distract the
reader from the content.
2 points
Writer makes several errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation
or capitalization that catch the reader's attention and greatly
distract the reader from the content.

13. 0-1 points
Organization
Information is very organized with well-constructed paragraphs
and subheadings.
3 points
Information is organized with well-constructed paragraphs.
2 points
Information may be disorganized, paragraphs are not well-
constructed therefore distracting the reader.
1 points
The information is disorganized and difficult for the reader to
understand.
0 points
Quality of Sources in Background Analysis (10 points)
Number of Sources
Two to Three unique sources are integrated into the paper.
4 points
One unique source is integrated into the paper.
2 points
No unique sources are integrated into the paper.
0-1 points
Bibliography Attached
Yes
3 points
No
0 points
Citation
All sources are accurately documented in MLA or APA.
3 points
All sources are documented, but a few are not in the desired

14. format.
2 points
All sources are accurately documented, but many are not in the
desired format.
1 points
Some sources are not accurately documented or cited within the
text.
0 points
Quality of Information in Background Analysis (12 points)
Accuracy
All facts are reported accurately.
4 points
Almost all facts are reported accurately.
3 points
Many facts are not reported or reported inaccurately.
2 points
Most facts are not reported OR are inaccurately reported.
0-1 points
Amount of Information
All topics are addressed and all questions are answered
completely.
4 points
All topics are addressed and most questions are answered.
3 points
All topics are addressed but many of the specific questions are
not answered.
2 points
One or more topics were not addressed or most of the questions
are not answered.
0-1 points
Quality
Information clearly relates to the topic. It includes several
supporting details and/or examples.
4 points
Information clearly relates to the topic. It provides 2-3
supporting details and/or examples.

15. 3 points
Information relates to the main topic. No details and/or
examples are given.
2 points
Information has little or nothing to do with the main topic.
0-1 points
Letter (18 points)
Provides a well-reasoned and articulate request for action.
Provides clear and concise summary of issue, and compelling
arguments. Shows respect for opposing views.
16-18 points
Formal letter has gaps or problems in reasoning, information, or
request for action.
10-15 points
lacks an issue statement, objective or solution. Not addressed to
appropriate official. Makes ad hominem attacks or other
fallacious arguments.
0-9 points
Writing Assignment #3
Letter to an Elected Official
Note: There are two parts to this written assignment, a
background analysis and a formal letter. In order to receive full
credit for the assignment, you must submit both parts.
1. Think of a political issue that is important to you. The issue
should be currently debated nationally and covered by the
media.
2. Prepare a background analysis in order to organize your
thoughts and educate yourself about the issue. Use Ivy Tech's
Virtual Library to find 2-3 articles about the issue. Your
background analysis must include:

16. · Identification of the people or groups involved in the debate,
· Description of conflicting viewpoints surrounding the issue;
and
· Various policy outcomes that are desired by the different
participants in the debate.
· Students may use either APA format or MLA format, but
academic standards require that all sources used must be cited.
(Click on the links to learn more about MLA and APA)
3. Identify the most appropriate federal, state or local elected or
appointed official who can assist in affecting change. Find the
address, or email address, of the official you've written to.
4. Using formal correspondence style, prepare a letter informing
the official of your concern and offering a solution or making a
request for action. CAUTION: Yours may be an emotional
issue, but your argument must be based on reason, not just
emotion. Support your position, and refute opposing positions,
with factual information and well-reasoned arguments.
5. Send an email to the selected official and submit your
background analysis and letter.