Fourth Article Assignment Instructions
Due: Sunday, 9/19, by 11:59pm to the appropriate folder on d2l.
Length: Approximately 400 words
Articles for this assignment:
Khosrowshahi, D XXXXXXXXXX, August 10th) I am the C.E.O. of Uber. Gig Workers Deserve Better. The New York Times. Retrieved from https:
www.nytimes.com
Gerstein, T. (2020, November 13th) What Happened in California is a Cautionary Tale for Us All. The New York Times. Retrieved from https:
www.nytimes.com
Accessing the articles: The articles can be accessed either via your free monthly NYT articles, through your NYT subscription, or through the University of Arizona main li
ary.
Background:
Prior to the approval of Proposition 22 by voters in November 2020, California’s legislature had approved a measure that classified many gig workers as employees (instead of as independent contractors) and entitled these workers to the benefits and rights of employees. With the passage of Proposition 22, California has changed course.
The Assignment:
Read the articles carefully, paying special attention to how gig workers will be treated under Prop 22, and to the various arguments put forward for and against this legislation. And think about the follow questions: What problems does Prop 22 intend to remedy? Who will benefit from it? Who will be harmed by it? Are there any alternative ways of addressing the problems associated with gig work?
Then write an essay (with appropriate transitions between paragraphs) in which you complete the 6 elements of this assignment, using a SEPARATE PARAGRAPH for each of the first 5 elements:
First, introduction: Briefly introduce your topic and the position that you will be defending.
This paragraph can be very short, 1 or 2 sentences. (For example: “In this essay I will discusss… and argue that…”)
Second, context: Explain the context of Proposition 22. What benefits do employees have that independent contractors lack? What problems do gig workers face? How does Proposition 22 attempt to remedy these problems?
Third, the argument in favor of Proposition 22: Based on the assigned articles, what do you think is the strongest argument in favor of Proposition 22?
[Helpful pointer: Arguments in favor of Proposition 22 are
iefly mentioned in Gerstein’s article. They are also discussed in Khosrowshahi’s article, in his proposal for a “3rd way” for gig workers. Khosrowshahi is the CEO of Uber, and his article was published before Proposition 22 had been officially put forward – and so he doesn’t discuss Proposition 22 by name.]
Fourth, the argument against Proposition 22: Based on the assigned articles, what do you think is the strongest argument against Proposition 22?
Fifth, critical assessment: explain which of the arguments you have presented is the stronger argument morally speaking and why it is stronger.
Sixth, references: Include a reference page at the end of your essay for each source you have used (there is no requirement to use sources other than the 2 assigned articles). Also use in-line/in text citations where appropriate. You may use whatever standard style for citations (MLA, APA, etc.) you are most comfortable with.
Ru
ic:
Introduction: 10%
Context: 15%
First Argument: 25%
Second Argument: 25%
Critical Assessment: 20%
5% for stating your position clearly and putting your position in bold
15% for defending your position adequately
References: 5%
Grammar: Each significant grammar mistake will be penalized 2% (capitalization, subject-ve
agreement, run-on sentences, sentence fragments, etc.).
Organization: Each significant departure from clear organization will be penalized 5% (not using separate paragraphs, paragraphs without a clear main idea, etc.).
Instructions: Each significant departure from the assignment’s instructions will be penalized 5%.
Too Short: Under 250 words, -10%; under 200 words, -20%
Too Long: No penalty for going over the suggested approximate word limit