Abortion
Paper instructions:
Thomson apparently believes that, at least in many cases, an abortion performed when the mother’s life is not threatened by the pregnancy would not be unjust. What does she need to do in order to establish this?
Does she succeed?
Further explanation of this task:
You need to provide a satisfactory discussion of the answers to those questions.
In order to do this you will need to understand the whole of Thomson’s article and the whole of the critical discussion of it in the Study Guide.
But the question is not about the whole of Thomson’s case.
You will need to identify those particular portions of Thomson’s case which are relevant to this question, and then critically examine those portions.
You will be discussing whether the relevant arguments in Thomson’s article are good or bad.
Rationale
The essay allows you to display your grasp of the philosophical discussion of the relevant topic.
It requires you to show that you understand this discussion, and that you can critically assess it.
Marking criteria
This task (like the task for Assessment Item 1) involves a number of distinct elements. They include the following:
(1) You need to identify the relevant argument that Thomson needs to provide, and you need to show why this argument is needed.
(2) You need to critically evaluate whether Thomson’s actual arguments succeed in doing what’s needed.
(3) You need to present your essay in a well organised discussion written in good clear English.
Overall, you need to do your best to show that you have critically mastered the relevant discussion in the study materials, in the way described for Assessment Item 1 (above). (Note in particular the need to distinguish what is relevant from what is irrelevant to this prescribed question.)
The performance of the task will be graded according to the following marking scheme:
HD High Distinction (85-100%)
Each of the elements 1, 2 and 3 (above) has been performed outstandingly well. You have thoroughly mastered the relevant discussion in the study materials, distinguishing it very clearly from what is not relevant to this particular discussion. And you have presented it very clearly yourself, demonstrating that you are thinking about it with some sophisticated critical independence.
DI Distinction (75-84%)
Overall the task has been performed very well, but one or more of elements 1, 2 and 3 has not been performed outstandingly well. You display a good, solid grasp of the relevant discussion, and the ability to think about it with some real critical independence. But, for example, though you have mastered the statement and critical examination of the argument, your writing could be improved. Or, though your essay is beautifully written, your critical evaluation could be extended, or refined, or polished further. And so on.
CR Credit (65-74%)
Overall the task has been performed creditably, but one or more of elements 1, 2 and 3 could be considerably improved. You show a fairly good grasp of the relevant discussion, and a fairly good attempt to assess it with critical independence. But, for example, though the meat of your discussion is good, your writing could be considerably improved. Or, your critical evaluation of the relevant argument could be substantially extended, or refined. Or, you may have introduced irrelevant material into your discussion, or omitted some relevant material. And so on.
PS Pass (50-64%)
Overall the task has been performed satisfactorily, but not better than satisfactorily. You show an adequate grasp of the relevant discussion, but one or more of elements 1, 2 and 3 could be substantially improved. For example, your writing, though intelligible, needs to be considerably improved. Or your presentation or critical evaluation of the relevant argument could be substantially improved through a clearer or less confused grasp of the material, or through a clearer application of the techniques of the analysis of argument, or by being extended to include omitted points. Or you may display some substantial confusion over the distinction between relevant and irrelevant material. And so on.
FL Fail (0-49%)
Overall the task has been performed unsatisfactorily. One or more of elements 1, 2 and 3 has been performed so unsatisfactorily that, however well the other elements have been performed, the essay is inadequate. For example, your writing is too far below the required standard. Or though you display some understanding of the material, your essay shows serious confusions. Or you have omitted major points. And so on.
NB The feedback provided on your essay will show in detail why your essay is assessed as deserving the grade as described in the scheme above.
