Philosophy
Assignment 2: Problem Solving
Due Week 9 and worth 150 points
When faced with a problem, what do you do to solve it? This assignment
asks you to apply a six-step to problem solving process to a specific
problem scenario. You will write a paper that presents a synthesis of
your ideas about solving the problem using this systematic approach. As
Voltaire said, “No problem can withstand the assault of sustained
thinking.”
Choose one (1) of the problem scenarios as a topic choice for your paper
(Note: Your professor must approve your topic choice before you begin
work on the assignment.)
Scenario 1: You have worked at your company for eleven (11) years. You
have returned to college to earn a Bachelor’s degree in order to
increase your chances for a promotion. You are nearly finished with your
degree, when a supervisor’s position in a competing company becomes
available in another state. The start date is in two (2) weeks, during
your final exam period for your courses. The position offers a $15,000
per year salary increase, a car allowance, and relocation expenses. Your
former supervisor works for the company and is recommending you for the
position based on your outstanding job performance; if you want the
job, it’s yours. All of the other supervisors at this level in the
company have Master’s degrees, so you know that you would be expected to
earn your Bachelor’s degree and continue on to a Master’s degree. Your
present company offers tuition reimbursement, but the new company does
not.
Scenario 2: Your child comes home from school with an assignment sheet
for a school project. He / she is very excited about the project and
begins work immediately, doing research on the Internet and gathering
materials. You read over the assignment sheet and notice that your child
is not including all of the required items in the project, and you have
some ideas for how to improve the quality of the presentation. You
recently read an article in a parenting magazine about the importance of
a child developing responsibility for his/ her own learning. You recall
the many ways in which your parents took over your school projects.
You, on the other hand, want to encourage your child’s confidence in his
/ her ability to complete a project independently. The next day, you
are at the grocery store when you see a parent of a student in your
child’s class. That parent has spent over $30 in supplies for the
science project and is taking a day off of work to put the pieces of the
project together.
Scenario 3: You have two jobs, one during the week from 9:00 am to 6:00
pm, and one on Saturday from 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm. You are taking two
classes, one that meets from 6:00 to 10:00 pm, and one class online. You
have two kids, one who plays soccer, and one who is in band. You have
two elderly parents who no longer drive. You have two siblings, one who
lives two (2) miles away, and one who lives in another state. You have
two (2) papers due in your classes the same week that one (1) of your
children has a soccer tournament, and the other child has a band
concert. You are coaching the soccer team, and you are in charge of
fundraising for the band. You have a goal to complete your degree in two
(2) years. Your doctor tells you that your blood pressure, your
cholesterol, and your weight are too high and recommends several
medications that cost you nearly $200 per month after your insurance
co-pay.
Scenario 4: You are a sales representative for a company that encourages
staff to log time in the field and away from the office. You are
expected to begin and end your day at the office. You notice that each
day when you arrive and return another co-worker is already there, and
you wonder whether this person spends most of his / her time at the
office. At your weekly sales meeting, you are informed of your
co-workers’ outstanding sales performance. You suspect that this
co-worker is spending more time flattering the boss instead of working
leads in the field, and as a result is getting the best client
referrals. Your own sales numbers have steadily decreased since this
other sales representative was hired.
Scenario 5: Professor’s Choice – problem scenario presented by your professor.
Scenario 6: Student’s Choice – Problem scenario presented by you.
Review the six-step problem solving process outlined in the webtext,
based on the article “The Problem Solving Process” located at
http://www.gdrc.org/decision/problem-solve.html:
Step One: Define the problem
Step Two: Analyze the problem
Step Three: Generate options
Step Four: Evaluate options
Step Five: Make your decision
Step Six: Implement and reflect
Write a four to five (4-5) page paper in which you:
Define the problem in the scenario that you have chosen.
Analyze the problem in the scenario.
Generate options for solving the problem in the scenario.
Evaluate the options for solving the problem.
Decide on the best option for solving the problem.
Explain how you will implement the decision made and reflect on whether this option was the most effective.
The paper should follow guidelines for clear and organized writing:
Include an introductory paragraph and concluding paragraph.
Address main ideas in body paragraphs with a topic sentence and supporting sentences.
Adhere to standard rules of English grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and spelling.
Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:
This course requires use of Strayer Writing Standards (SWS). The format
is different than other Strayer University courses. Please take a moment
to review the SWS documentation for details.
Based on the guidelines in SWS, “A well-researched assignment has at
least as many sources as pages.” Therefore, since this assignment
requires you to write at least 4-5 pages, you should include at least
4-5 references.
The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:
Recognize the hindrances to the decision-making process in order to apply problem-solving skills to a variety of situations.
Create written work utilizing the concepts of critical thinking.
Use technology and information resources to research issues in critical thinking skills and informal logic
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