Research Paper –
This assignment is a research paper focusing on one topic or distinct element covered in the class or directly related to the course but not covered in the lecture.
You can select from the themes we covered in the syllabus and expand upon one topic/theme that interests you, but make sure that your paper covers new ground beyond the course’s content or lecture notes.
The key for your paper is to locate and engage additional sources and construct a cohesive set of arguments or points in the paper. Your paper should have a clearly stated thesis statement (what are you trying to substantiate with evidence, selected additional sources and research), an introduction, three to five major points your paper revolves around, and a conclusion.
I am not looking for you to write back notes from the lecture on any given topic; do your research to expand on one idea or theme we covered while using sources to substantiate all your points and possible arguments. You can use any citation system, but make sure you give credit to all materials you include in your paper.
You should have a minimum of 5-7 external sources outside of all the course reading materials.
Cover page with the paper’s title, your name, course title, semester, year, table of contents, proper footnotes, and bibliography.
Page length for the writing is no less than Seven pages but no more than twelve pages.
The paper due date is a window from May 10, 2024, which means no later than the end of RRR week.
Use of ChatGPT or any other AI source will result in a zero entry for the assignment.
Course Description:
The course focuses on the impacts of migration and displacement of people from postcolonial Middle East region and the U.S. legal, political, social, and religious discourse on cross-cultural and ethical issues which arise in immigration practice while placing the phenomena within a global and transnational context. The course seeks to draw connections between Middle Eastern migration and diaspora in the colonial and postcolonial periods leading to the modern period of restrictive immigration policies, building of walls in North America, targeting Arab and Muslim immigrants as well as all immigrants from the Global South.
Class Learning Objectives :
Develop factual and theoretical understanding of the phenomenon of migration in the context of the Middle East and its context within the diaspora.
Connect the entanglement of diverse cultural groups in the immigration debates, how opinions on the issues are shaped and approaches to the electoral process.
Demonstrate detailed knowledge and understanding of the main forces that have been at the origin of migration, displacement, exclusion and diasporas of the Middle East region.
Employ and analyze cross-disciplinary sources and develop critical arguments that places Middle Eastern immigrants within the context of internal national debates within the US.
Demonstrate how to link theory to practice and apply concepts learnt in a global perspective to develop critical arguments for addressing immigration and refugees within the context of colonization and post-colonial discourses.
Develop high quality of research, evaluation and synthesis from a wide range of sources
Class Reading List:
Edward Said’s Orientalism
Frantz Fanon’s The Wretched of the Earth
Albert Memmi’s The Colonizer and the Colonized
Hatem Bazian’s Erasing the Human
Class Writing Assignments Rubric:
Writing Assignments and Grading Rubric
4
3
2
1
Invention
Assignment
Focus
Engaging and full development of a clear thesis as appropriate to assignment purpose.
Competent and well-developed thesis; thesis represents sound and adequate understanding of the topic. Focus is too broad or too narrow.
Mostly intelligible ideas; thesis is weak, unclear, too broad, or too narrow.
Mostly simplistic and unfocused ideas; little or no sense of purpose or control of thesis.
Argument;
Thesis
Development;
Logic
The thesis is stated in a declarative sentence; the thesis provides unity and coherence to the essay Argument is consistent and compelling.
The thesis is not stated concisely. Mostly unified, but areas of inconsistency or weakness in development or logic.
The thesis is not stated or worded vaguely. Argument is inconsistent or could be developed further.
The thesis is only an impression or an outline, not stated. Argument contradicts itself.
Evidence
Consistent use of evidence with originality and depth of ideas; main points are sufficiently supported. Excellent analysis of textual evidence. The synthesis of research and argument is harmonious.
Ideas supported sufficiently by evidence; support is sound, valid and logical in most cases.
Analysis and/or synthesis could have been stronger.
Main points and ideas are only indirectly supported; support is not sufficient or specific, but is loosely relevant to main points.
Analysis and synthesis is adequate.
Inadequate use of sources.
Organization
Introduction
Body
Conclusion
Arrangement of paper complements and strengthens argument – “Immanent Design”. Paper dynamically employs: introduction, statement of circumstance, outline, proof, refutation, conclusion
Effective arrangement of paper, but weak in one or more areas: introduction, statement of circumstance, outline, proof, refutation, conclusion. Strong in most areas, but lacking in overall arrangement.
Ineffective arrangement, but strong in one or more sections. Sections are segmented without clear connections. Arrangement shows potential, but sections do not provide substantial content.
Disconnect between ideas and organization of paper. Little or no demonstration of immanent design.
Paragraphing
Transitions
Sentences and paragraphs are structured effectively, powerfully; Organization is sequential and appropriate; paragraphs are well developed and appropriately divided; ideas linked with smooth and effective transitions.
Competent organization, without sophistication. Competent paragraph structure; lacking in effective transitions.
Paragraphs are mostly stand-alone with weak or non-evident transitions.
Paragraphs are simple or weak. No evident transitions or planned sequence.
