From the index in the text book (or slides), choose a topic that interests you. Keep as narrow as possible. Your topic MUST be trying to determine something. It CANNOT be purely descriptive.
Submit topic for approval via e-mail ASAP – everyone gets a different topic on first come first served basis. You’re taking a chance not getting topic approved.
Obtain from internet and/or library two recent reputable articles on the topic. Do not use popular magazines, newspapers or children’s books. “Wikipedia” like materials are not allowed, but can be used to obtain other materials. You may use any sources suggested in the text and I can help you with suggestions too so just e-mail me.
Write a 3-to-4-page double spaced typewritten essay on the topic (size 12, times new roman or arial font) (don’t count title or citation pages). You must use the outline below EXACTLY AS IT IS SHOWN. This means I have to see the 6 topic headings written out exactly as shown when I read your essay.
Failure to use the outline exactly as shown – 4 points (out of 10) taken off.
Failure to provide the text pages (or slide numbers) in section II- 2 points (out of 10) taken off.
Failure to attach copies of both articles – paper gets handed back on the spot and not accepted until the articles are attached. If this happens on the due date, the paper is counted as late.
Points get taken off your final grade if you hand it in after the due date. For every day late. -1 point. NO EXCEPTIONS!
If you miss handing it in by the final exam (via online submission on blackboard), I will not count the paper at all. There are no “incompletes” for the paper. 10 of 100 points get taken off your final grade. If you were running an A on the tests, the highest you would get is a “B”.
OUTLINE
(Title page with your name, subject, topic title etc.)
Objective – what you are trying to achieve with this paper (largely a comparison between the text book and the article, concluding with your own opinion).
What the text book has to say about the subject You must make note of the pages in the textbook so I can review the material. You can also use slide numbers.
What the first article has to say about the subject You must attach a copy of the article so I can review the material. If you get it off the internet, you must provide the “address” as well. When you submit your paper you can attach the articles as files.
What the second article has to say about the subject
Compare the articles and the textbook How do they agree? How do they differ? Perhaps the articles are the result of later research and findings. If so, please make a note of it.
Conclusion So what? What did you get out of this exercise? Did it give you any better appreciation for the course itself? Is there any broader application of this than meets the eye? What do you think? What’s your opinion? You should have one by now!
References – You can use APA, MLA, or Chicago. A useful website is: https://www.scribbr.com/apa-citation-generator/new/webpage/
