‘Utilise the developments in sociobiology and philosophy featured in the module’s expansion of the nature/nurture debate in a critique of the assumptions made in the leaked ‘restricted-policy’ document’.

The document can be found here:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/interactive/2011/sep/13/leaked-memo-women-coalition-government

Essay Guidance

Introduction

Identify the main assumptions of the document you aim to critique and briefly outline the theoretical perspectives you will use to do so. You will be aiming to apply at least three of the major concepts we have covered in the module (e.g. plasticity, the supplement, bios, etc) to your critique. A focus on the ethical problems of the document in relation to the theory can also be outlined here.

First section

Critique what might be broadly conceived as the ‘natural’ assumptions of the ‘restricted-policy’ document (e.g. that ‘fear’ is the basis of women’s concern with the government). You can be creative here, so if you feel anything implies an assumption then outline what that assumption might be and critique it.

Second section

Do the same for the ‘nurture’ based assumptions (e.g. increasing the symbolic value of women within the system will change their perspective on the government).

Third section and conclusion

Illustrate how you critiques of the natural and nurture based assumptions of the document relate to one another, particularly locating where they might either support one another or remain antithetical to one another. Conclude with a general statement on the scientific and ethical problems now faced by the document after undergoing critique.