Description
Major paper (25%):You will complete a ~1500 word research essay on the topic identified in assignment 2. Changes in topic are possible, but must be undertaken in consultation with the instructor. The final research paper should have at least six sources, and four of these should be academic in nature. The others may be from reputable policy and journalistic sources
Final research essay
POLI1102 050 Summer 2020
Due:July 28by 11:59 pm via Blackboard.
Note: You also need to submit to Turnitin.
You do not need a title page; however, your assignment should include your name, student number, and the word count at the front, right under the title. Text should be a standard 12 point font, double spaced. The paper should be approximately 1500 words (may be up to 10% above or below that without incurring penalty).
The purpose is to provide a clear argument (your thesis) supported through both reasoning and empirical evidence. A good argument will both make points in support of the thesis, and also identify and respond to potential criticisms or weaknesses. The paper should also have a *brief* introduction and conclusion, including a roadmap explaining to the reader how the argument will unfold.
Sources ought to be reliable—that is, from academic sources (scholarly books and articles) or well-regarded websites such as the New York Times and the Economist. Chicago style citation is preferred, but most is important is that you are consistent, complete, and comprehensive with your citations. If you learned something from a source, cite it! Note you should provide author and page number for in-text citations (and include year as well if using Chicago format). Note when citing articles and books, you do not need to give the database you accessed it through (e.g. EBSCOhost or JStor).
If you have questions about how reliable a source is, please email me well before the assignment due date. Provide citations using a standard style guide—MLA, APA, or Chicago. Guidelines for citing work are available on the university website and elsewhere online.
— Major paper (25%):You will complete a ~1500 word research essay on the topic identified in assignment 2. Changes in topic are possible, but must be undertaken in consultation with the instructor. The final research paper should have at least six sources, and four of these should be academic in nature. The others may be from reputable policy and journalistic sources.
A good paper will
- Be well structured (i.e. with clear introduction and thesis, a clear roadmap for how the argument will be assembled, a logical structure in presenting theories, arguments, and case(s), and a concluding summary describing what the paper has argued)
- Have a clear thesis
- Present well-chosen evidence in support of the argument related to specific cases
- Explain why the evidence presented supports the thesis
- Consider alternative perspectives to your own preferred argument, considering counterarguments to your own position
- Be well written, with few if any grammatical errors
- Be written in a standard 12pt font, double space, with page numbers
- Include at least six reputable sources to support your argument, four of which are academic (not including the text)
- Have thorough documentation of all citations using a standard citation format
- Include the student number and page numbers
Questions to consider:
- Is the research question clearly and completely specified? Does the reader understand the purpose of the paper?
- Is the question answered effectively in the thesis (i.e. the argument)? Is the thesis spelled out clearly in the introduction?
- Does the paper develop your argument efficiently, consistently, and effectively throughout the paper? Don’t just repeat other people’s arguments. Tell the reader what you think. Do you identify counter-arguments to your own position and explain clearly why you reject that counter-argument?
- Is the paper clearly written, well organized, with a logical structure? There should be a clear introduction, main argument, presentation of empirical evidence, analysis, and conclusion with good transitions between these sections.
- As the paper is short, you should make every sentence count: i.e. does it answer the question and support your argument or address a counter-argument? The paper should be clearly written: grammatical, with correct spelling, and in short logical paragraphs. It should not go over the page limit and should follow the correct formatting (see above).
- Does the paper integrate readings from the class and the wider literature? Anything that came up in class can be used; just tell us where you got the idea, argument or fact from (e.g. syllabus readings, lectures, and news stories discussed). Anything from the syllabus, or a published academic source should be properly referenced.
- Using material to back up your argument doesn’t just mean describing what another author thinks about the topic. You should tell us your argument, then explain how your argument is supported by Author X’s argument. Or, alternatively, tell us your argument, explain how Author X raises a counter-argument, and then give reasons why you think your argument is right and Author X’s is wrong.
- — Major paper (25%):You will complete a ~1500 word research essay on the topic identified in assignment 2. Changes in topic are possible, but must be undertaken in consultation with the instructor. The final research paper should have at least six sources, and four of these should be academic in nature. The others may be from reputable policy and journalistic sources.
Where to look for your additional academic sources, or for help:
- Douglas College Library
- Note the Canadian Journal of Political Science is the leading journal for Canadian political studies. The Canadian Parliamentary Review and Canadian Public Policy are other notable Canada-focused journals. Beyond this there are a range of more specific journals put out by a number of Canadian universities
- The University of Toronto Press, McGill-Queens Press, UBC Press, and SFU Press are all notable for peer-reviewed book publications on Canadian political topics. Other Canadian university presses put out relevant works as well.
- Google Scholar is a good general source for books and journal articles
- CANLII provides a compendium of Canadian legal cases and legislation:
- The Supreme Court of Canada for judgments:
http://www.scc-csc.ca/case-dossier/judgment-jugement-eng.aspx
Grading:
| Level Description & Notes | |
| A+ 95% and above | Outstanding |
| A 90% to 94% | |
| A- 85% to 89% | |
| B+ 80% to 84% | Good |
| B 75% to 79% | |
| B- 70% to 74% | |
| C+ 65% to 69% | Satisfactory |
| C 60% to 64% | |
| C- 55% to 59% | |
| P 50% to 54% | Marginal Achievement |
| F 49% and below | Unsatisfactory Achievement |
