Signature Homework: Social Science - Philosophy

Instructions:

The Signature Homework for this course combines all the concepts you have explored in this term. In this homework, you will choose one of the TED Talks below and form a response based on the provided guidance. As you respond to the questions, you will be expected to connect the concepts covered in this course to the information in your chosen video.

Choose ONE of the following TED Talks to respond to.

1) TED. (2017, July). Why museums are returning cultural treasures / Chip Colwell [Ted Talk Video].
2) TED. (2022, April). You Don`t Actually Know What Your Future Self Wants / Shankar Vedantam [Ted Talk Video].
3) TED. (2021, December). A "Seat at the Table" Isn`t the Solution for Gender Equity / Lilly Singh [Ted Talk Video].

For each number below, complete a thoughtful and thorough paragraph long enough to demonstrate your understanding of the subject matter of the class.

I. The Argument and Syllogism: Complete a thoughtful and thorough paragraph long enough to demonstrate your understanding of the course concepts indicated.

A. Summarize the overall argument of the video in your own words. Be sure to include details and the main points the speaker used to make the argument.

B. Identify the three parts of the syllogism the speaker uses to make the overall argument:

1. Major Premise
2. Minor Premise
3. Conclusion

II. Testing the Syllogism: Complete a thoughtful and thorough paragraph long enough to demonstrate your understanding of the course concepts indicated.

A. Based upon the syllogism (your answer to Part 1. B), does this argument demonstrate inductive or deductive reasoning? Provide support for your choice. Be sure to only choose deductive OR inductive; you cannot choose both or neither.

B. If the argument is deductive, test your syllogism (your answers to Part 1. B) in terms of logical validity and soundness. Be sure to not only tell if the syllogism is valid and sound but also show how/how not or why/why not. If the argument is inductive, test your syllogism (your answers from Part 1. B) in terms of being a stronger or weaker inductive argument. Be sure to not only tell if the syllogism is stronger or weaker but also show how or why.

III. Rhetorical Appeals: Complete a thoughtful and thorough paragraph long enough to demonstrate your understanding of the course concepts indicated.

A. Identify examples of all three rhetorical appeals (ethos, pathos, and logos) that you noticed in this video and what information from the video has led you to your choices. Be sure to select specific words, phrases, or ideas and explain their connections to each type of appeal. Also, indicate what effect the use of these appeals has on the persuasiveness of the argument.

IV. Rhetorical Devices and Logical Fallacies: Complete a thoughtful and thorough paragraph long enough to demonstrate your understanding of the course concepts indicated.

A. Identify at least one specific rhetorical device and one specific logical fallacy in the way this topic is presented. Be sure to define the rhetorical device and fallacy and demonstrate how or why the source employs them. Also, discuss whether you think the use of each device and fallacy was deliberate or not and assess the effect that each one has on the argument.

B. NOTE: Remember, ethos, pathos, and logos are rhetorical appeals, NOT devices, so they are not what is being asked here. This is asking about rhetorical devices.

V. Moral Reasoning: Complete a thoughtful and thorough paragraph long enough to demonstrate your understanding of the course concepts indicated.

A. Which specific kind of moral reasoning is demonstrated in your topic? Briefly elaborate on why you chose the one you did. Be sure to define the specific kind of moral reasoning you chose and demonstrate how or why the source employs them. Also, discuss whether the use of this kind of moral reasoning was deliberate and what effect it has on the persuasiveness of the argument.

VI. Reaction and Reflection: Identify the most interesting takeaway that you got from this video. Reflect on how your application of the course concepts affect your understanding and reaction to the video and argument.