Assignments
PS/LJST 74: Norms, Rights, and Social Justice
Seminar Paper Assignment
As I have explained previously, the first two papers in the course will serve as the “building blocks” for your final seminar paper.
You should have received (or will receive very soon) your first paper back with my comments. Now, I would like you to begin the second paper by composing your own “paper topic” due by Friday October 30th at 4 PM (submitted as an e-mail attachment). This paper topic can directly follow from your first paper (or the first paper may serve as background knowledge for your project). This topic should help you set up the parameters for your final paper, including:
1) Specify an issue or area of study; either defined specifically (e.g., legal rights of fat persons; interracial gang rape trials, school desegregation) or broadly (e.g., a comparison of rights-based strategies across multiple identities—race, sex, disability, etc.). Hopefully, (but not necessarily) these ideas will flow from issues explored in your first paper.
2) Identify at least one reading from the course that is relevant to your issue area. This readings (or readings) should feature significantly in the paper.
3) Identify a “researchable question” (i.e., a question that can be answered by bringing in new information, in any form, including data, analysis, alternative viewpoints, etc.).
4) Formulate a hypothesis, and then posit a plausible interpretation or conclusion the paper might offer.
5) Identity other sources that will be important to adequately explore your topic area. Provide a preliminary bibliography
All four questions above must be answered in an essay format of at least one page.
After you have received comments (and a go ahead) on your paper topic, I would like you to prepare an outline for the second paper. At this point you need to ask yourself, what information will I need? Which course readings will I include and how much outside research will be necessary? Please submit this outline and a revised bibliography to me via e-mail anytime between October 30-November 20.
Then, please complete an (approximately) 10-15 page essay that addresses your paper topic (paper #2). Consider this both a rough draft and a shorter version of your final paper.
Due: December 4th by 4 P.M. (also submitted as a file attachment and a hard copy in my mailbox).
The final paper (a 20 page expansion of paper #2) will be due December 18th at 4 PM. THE FINAL PAPER WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED UNLESS I HAVE RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING ASSIGNMENTS: PAPER TOPIC, OUTLINE AND BIBLIOGRAPHY, AND PAPER #2.