Theoretical Paper Assignment | Online Assignment

Theoretical Paper

The theoretical paper is an opportunity to delve deeper into a key idea discussed in the course. The bulk of your references should be drawn from Affective Circuits and Global Mental Health. In addition to defining a theoretical concept, this paper needs to show connections across the readings we’ve discussed this semester. Important note: while you are encouraged to do outside research and draw from sources not on the syllabus, the key idea you discuss in this theoretical paper should be one that is found in our course readings.

There are 5 points that you should consider as you write this paper:

Critical analysis of key theoretical perspective discussed in this course
Clear writing that is easy to follow (e.g. free from grammatical errors, misspellings, etc.)
Examples from the readings that substantiate your unique interpretation
Plenty of page numbers to show connections across the readings
4-6 double spaced pages, using 12 size, Times New Roman font

When structuring your paper, consider these 5 elements:

Identify a key idea, concept, or framework (think of this as your introduction): This is the most important step because it will allow you to structure the rest of the paper. Example: if you found the notion of “worldbuilding” particularly interesting, then your theoretical paper can explore how this specific concept can advance our understanding of migrant mental health. Choose one key idea and develop the paper around it.
Clearly state why this is important. After identifying your paper’s theme, it is important to make the case that this focus merits critical scholarship. In order to do this, there needs to be active engagement with the readings. This is where we have a thorough definition of your concepts and begin to see important connections across the readings, using plenty of page numbers throughout. As you discuss why this is important, we should begin to see connections across the different studies we’ve discussed in this course. Be explicit: what does this theoretical approach contribute to the study of migrant mental health?
Provide examples: Substantiate your line of investigation with key examples from the readings (pdfs on Blackboard, Affective Circuits and Global Mental Health). These examples are a means to illustrate why/how this is important in anthropology in particular and the medical social sciences in general. It is important to circle back to the main focus of the paper as you make strong connections across the readings, making a clear case that is grounded in the available literature.
Suggest areas for future scholarship: Following a critical discussion of the literature, this section should be reserved for a discussion of lines of research that you consider need to be further developed. Be specific: rather than say “future research needs to pay closer attention to culture”, draw from the specific examples you discussed in your paper to make a case for new research directions.
Synthesis of key insights gained in this investigation (think of this as your conclusion): This section should provide a concise overview and, more specifically, a clear statement of what is gained by taking on this theoretical perspective.