Each paper must be at least 6 pages double spaced, with one-inch margins.
Students must utilize a size 12, Times New Roman font.
Each paper must have a minimum of 5 unique sources besides class textbooks. Sources must be scholarly in nature and can include books, journals and news articles from reputable sources. While students may use internet sources, such sources must be reputable and scholarly (i.e Newspaper websites, congressional/government websites, reputable magazine websites, think tanks etc.). Failure to use scholarly/reputable sources may result in a loss of points.
All papers must include in text citations, i.e. footnotes or endnotes or parenthetical citations (choose one), etc., and a works cited page/bibliography. Papers submitted without these items will not be accepted and/or will receive a grade penalty/reduction.
Students must choose their paper topics from the list given in the course outline/syllabus. That being said, students who wish to write on a topic not listed may speak with the instructor about the possibility of writing about a different subject matter.
When citing, students are to use the Chicago/Turabian Manual of Style. The same style of citation must be used throughout the paper.
Students are to proofread their papers to ensure it is free of spelling and grammatical errors. Papers with numerous spelling/grammatical mistakes risk losing points.
Failure to include the above and below mentioned items risks the possibility of having points deducted from the paper and/or not having the paper accepted for credit. The instructor may also require a student to resubmit a paper if the directions are not followed
A great research paper will have all of the following elements:
Introductory Page: On this page, you will clearly state your thesis, as well as the methodology you will employ to support your thesis. Furthermore, you will be using this page to introduce the reader to the problem/issue at hand. An example of this would be “This paper argues that…. .”
Pages 2 through 5: On these pages, you will provide detailed supporting evidence from scholarly sources to defend and articulate your thesis. You should have at least two unique citations per page throughout the paper. Citations not only support your arguments, but demonstrate that you have properly researched your topic and can integrate the research into your writing.
Page 6: The last page of your research paper should (1) Summarize the findings of your paper and (2) offer your own insights into the future of your chosen topic/thesis. Sociology is a broad discipline that encompasses a variety of opinions. Do not be afraid to choose sides and defend your viewpoints!
THE TOPIC
News organizations have always been seen as the guardians of our social institutions, ensuring that those who administer them are held accountable. These organizations also provide critical information to citizens so that they can make decisions about their communities. In addition, media organization ensure that a society’s norms, values, and culture are easily passed from one generation to the next. However, over the last few years, misinformation has become problematic around the world. More people are using social media sites and the Internet to obtain their information. Some label anything that contradicts their world view as “fake news.” Prepare a research paper that addresses how misinformation and “fake news” impact our social institutions and society at large. How does misinformation divide us? Has the rise of online media organizations positively or negatively affected society? Should news organizations and social media sites be regulated to ensure accuracy and fairness? Does free expression take precedence over social stability and the common good? Does media bias exist? Do the ideologies of our news sources impact how we view our institutions? Are social media sites increasing divisions in our society? Ultimately, are we living in a post-truth era? How will this influence future generations? Please be sure to use specific examples in your paper.
