Distinguished - Identifies the ethical question that clearly aligns with the provided questions and fully implements any applicable instructor feedback from the Week 1 assignment.

Proficient - Identifies an ethical question; however, it is slightly unaligned with the provided questions and/or somewhat implements applicable instructor feedback from the Week 1 assignment.

Basic - Identifies an ethical question; however, it does not align with the provided questions, and/or does not implement applicable instructor feedback from the Week 1 assignment.

Below Expectations - Identifies a question; however, it is not a specifically ethical question and does not implement applicable instructor feedback from the Week 1 assignment.

Non-Performance - The ethical question is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly introduces the topic and question, fully implementing any applicable instructor feedback from the Week 1 assignment.

Proficient - Introduces the topic and question, implementing any applicable instructor feedback from the Week 1 assignment. The introduction is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Partially introduces the topic and question, somewhat implementing any applicable instructor feedback from the Week 1 assignment. The introduction is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to introduces the topic and question; however, does not implement any applicable instructor feedback from the Week 1 assignment, and/or the introduction is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The introduction of the topic and question is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly and accurately explains the ethical theory of utilitarianism, deontology, or virtue ethics.

Proficient - Explains the ethical theory of utilitarianism, deontology, or virtue ethics. The explanation is slightly underdeveloped or inaccurate.

Basic - Minimally explains the ethical theory of utilitarianism, deontology, or virtue ethics. The explanation is underdeveloped and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain the ethical theory of utilitarianism, deontology, or virtue ethics; however, the explanation is significantly underdeveloped and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the ethical theory of utilitarianism, deontology, or virtue ethics is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly and accurately applies the selected ethical theory to the ethical question.

Proficient - Applies the selected ethical theory to the ethical question. Minor details are missing or slightly inaccurate.

Basic - Partially applies the selected ethical theory to the ethical question. Relevant details are missing and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to apply the selected ethical theory to the ethical question; however, significant details are missing and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The application of the selected ethical theory to the ethical question is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Displays meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains no errors and is very easy to understand.

Proficient - Displays comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains only a few minor errors and is mostly easy to understand.

Basic - Displays basic comprehension of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains a few errors which may slightly distract the reader.

Below Expectations - Fails to display basic comprehension of syntax or mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains major errors which distract the reader.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately uses APA formatting consistently throughout the paper, title page, and reference page.

Proficient - Exhibits APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout contains a few minor errors. 

Basic - Exhibits limited knowledge of APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout does not meet all APA requirements. 

Below Expectations - Fails to exhibit basic knowledge of APA formatting. There are frequent errors, making the layout difficult to distinguish as APA.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - The length of the paper is equivalent to the required number of words.

Proficient - The length of the paper is nearly equivalent to the required number of words.

Basic - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least three quarters of the required number of words.

Below Expectations - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least one half of the required number of words.   

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Uses more than the required number of scholarly sources, providing compelling evidence to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Proficient - Uses the required number of scholarly sources to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Basic - Uses less than the required number of sources to support ideas. Some sources may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are used within the body of the assignment. Citations may not be formatted correctly.

Below Expectations - Uses an inadequate number of sources that provide little or no support for ideas. Sources used may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are not used within the body of the assignment. Citations are not formatted correctly.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.