Choose an issue relevant to the course, present a position on the issue, and briefly outline a reason (or reasons) that might offered for holding that position.

Although this assignment is designed to be an opportunity for you to development your own views, the position you present need not be your own. And, even if it is your own, the reason (or reasons) need not be your grounds for adopting the position.

Anything that has come up in the reading or discussion naturally counts as relevant to the course, but you needn’t feel limited to such issues. Any issue concerning knowledge or skepticism is appropriate. But do remember that this is a very short paper, so complex issues or reasons may simply not fit into the space you will have available.

Depending on the issue, position, and reason(s) you write about, either describing the position you are presenting or the reason (or reasons) for it may require the bulk of your attention. But be sure to give enough space to each. That is, be sure to say enough about the position you present to make it clear. And be sure to say enough about the reason(s) you are considering so that someone who is not already thinking along the same lines will understand this rationale (which is not to say that they need be persuaded by it).

This is one of the ungraded assignments, so you will get full credit simply for making a serious effort. As always, I’ll be happy to accept your assignment on paper, but I encourage you to submit it electronically via e-mail. A short assignment like this could itself be the content of an e-mail message, but I’m also happy to get e-mail attachments.