Distinguished - Introduces the topic under consideration in a way that clearly delimits the ethical problem and defines the essential issues. Effectively summarizes the conclusion or position on this issue that is best supported by this theory and what the objection will be.

Proficient - Introduces the topic under consideration in a way that delimits the ethical problem and/or defines the essential issues. Summarizes the conclusion or position on this issue that is best supported by this theory and what the objection will be. The introduction is slightly unclear or underdeveloped.

Basic - Introduces the topic under consideration in a way that vaguely delimits the ethical problem or defines the essential issues. Somewhat summarizes the conclusion or position on this issue that is best supported by the theory and what the objection will be. The introduction is unclear and/or underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to introduce the topic under consideration; however, does not delimit the focus, define the essential issues, or summarize the conclusion or position on this issue that is best supported by this theory or what the objection will be. The introduction overall is significantly unclear and underdeveloped.

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

Distinguished - Clearly and accurately explains the core principles or features of either the deontological or utilitarian ethical theory that will be applied to the chosen issue and demonstrates a thorough understanding of the theory.

Proficient - Explains the core principles or features of either the deontological or utilitarian ethical theory that will be applied to the chosen issue. Demonstrates a sufficient understanding of the form and principles of the theory, but the explanation is slightly unclear, inaccurate, or missing minor details.

Basic - Somewhat explains the core principles or features of either the deontological or utilitarian ethical theory that will be applied to the chosen issue. Demonstrates a limited understanding of the form and principles of the theory, and the explanation is unclear, inaccurate, and/or missing relevant details.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain core principles or features of either the deontological or utilitarian ethical theory that will be applied to the chosen issue; however, does not demonstrate an understanding of the form and principles of the theory, and the explanation is highly unclear, inaccurate, and missing significant details.

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

Distinguished - Effectively applies either the deontological or utilitarian ethical theory to the chosen problem or question under consideration. Clearly and logically demonstrates how the specific practical conclusion(s) were arrived at on the basis of the main principles of the theory.

Proficient - Applies either the deontological or utilitarian ethical theory to the chosen problem or question. Demonstrates how the specific practical conclusion(s) were arrived at on the basis of the main principles of the theory, but lacks clarity or logic in minor places.

Basic - Somewhat applies either the deontological or utilitarian ethical theory to the chosen problem or question. Partially demonstrates how the specific moral conclusion was arrived at on the basis of the main principles of the theory and lacks clarity and logic in key places.

Below Expectations - Attempts to apply either the deontological or utilitarian ethical theory to the chosen problem or question; however, does not demonstrate how the specific moral conclusion was arrived at on the basis of the main principles of the theory and severely lacks clarity and logic in key places.

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

Distinguished - Raises an objection and effectively explains how that objection exposes a weakness of the theory as it applies to the problem. The objection is relevant, unbiased, and grounded in philosophical reasoning and factual evidence.

Proficient - Raises an objection and explains how that objection exposes a weakness of the theory as it applies to the problem. The relevance of the objection is not clear or the objection may be biased, and demonstrates an adequate understanding of the theory to which it is objecting.

Basic - Raises an objection and somewhat explains how that objection exposes a weakness of the theory as it applies to the problem. The objection may be only marginally relevant and/or the objection demonstrates a lack of full understanding of the theory to which it is objecting.

Below Expectations - Attempts to raise an objection, but the objection is not relevant, the objection mostly lacks adequate explanation, and/or the objection demonstrates a lack of basic understanding of the theory to which it is objecting.

Non-Performance - The raising of a relevant objection is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a clear conclusion that concisely summarizes the paper and presents a rephrased statement of the thesis.

Proficient - Provides a conclusion that summarizes the paper and presents a rephrased statement of the thesis, but one of these is slightly unclear.

Basic - Provides a conclusion that partially summarizes the paper and presents a limited rephrased statement of the thesis. One of these is unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide a conclusion; however, does not provide a summary of the paper and does not present a rephrased statement of the thesis. Both are significantly unclear.

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

Distinguished - Cites two or more sources that are found in the required or recommended readings within the course or the Ashford University Library, including at least one resource from the provided list of resources that defend the theory in question, and one resource that pertains to the chosen issue.

Proficient - Cites two or more sources that are found in the required or recommended readings within the course or the Ashford University Library, but lacks either one resource from the provided list of resources that defend the theory in question or one resource that pertains to the chosen issue.

Basic - Cites at least two sources that are found in the required or recommended readings within the course or the Ashford University Library, but lacks both one resource from the provided list of resources that defends the theory in question and one resource that pertains to the chosen issue. Alternatively,cites only one source found in the required or recommended readings within the course or the Ashford University Library, but that is from the list of resources that defend the theory in question or pertains to the chosen issue.

Below Expectations - Cites one or more sources, but the sources are not drawn from the required or recommended readings or the Ashford University Library.

Non-Performance - Does not cite any resources.

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.