Paper Assignment
- Short Paper Option:
- Write four short papers (3 - 4 pages, double-spaced) based on class readings drawn from four different weeks (that is, each paper will be based on a week's readings).
- Each paper is due at the beginning of class on the first day of the week for which the readings are assigned. The 'weeks' are gathered as follows:
4/20 - 4/22; 4/27; 5/4; 5/11; 5/13; 5/18; 5/20 - 5/25; 5/27 - 6/1
- On weeks where there are multiple readings, synthesize and/or contrast at least two of the readings. Indicate which readings your paper engages.
- The papers should cover three main topics:
- What is the research trying to explain?
You may want to consider the quality of the research (or theory if it is an essay). What is the overall theory being tested? What specific hypothesis? What are the competing hypotheses (some weeks have readings that oppose each other)?
- How does the research test the theory or question?
You may want to consider the following questions: What are the key independent variables? What are the dependent variables? Is the evidence persuasive? Is the research internally and externally valid?
- How does it matter to politics?
This is the less structured part of the paper where you can apply your own knowledge and speculate on the importance of the theories we study in this class. What does this research tell us about politics? If its assertions and findings are valid, what does it mean?
- Long Paper Option:
- Write a research paper (12 - 16 pages, double-spaced, 12 pt font) applying one or more of the theories covered in class to a political event or phenomenon.
- If you would like help with selecting a topic, or if you have another topic in mind, please contact the instructor as soon as possible.
- Turn in your topic by May 6; final paper is due May 27.
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SUMMER 2001
SPRING 2001
FALL 2000
SUMMER 2000
SUMMER 1999
SPRING 1999
WINTER 1999
FALL 1998
SUMMER 1998
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