POLITICS 303 TOPICS IN POLITICAL THEORY DEATH IN AMERICA

Prof. Sammy Basu

Argumentative Research paper (30% of total grade)

- an extended (20-25pp. i.e., 6000-7500 word) piece of original research bringing philosophical and conceptual issues to bear upon a specific empirical controversy involving mortality in contemporary America.

1. select shortlist of topics and discuss with prof.
2. pick one and try to identify recent work on topic
3. literature review – get clear on the main approaches to the topics
4. data – get clear on magnitude, range, trends in key variables
5. outline – break your task into 4-5 parts
1. introduction: research Q or problem
2. literature review
3. your angle, method, approach
4. findings
5. conclusions: answer/solution to Q/problem
6. drafts – don’t try to write it well in one go

(i) First draft of paper - a 15-20 pp. (4500-6000 words) substantial draft version of research paper

·       title: subtitle,

·       abstract,

·       ten keywords,

·       outline,

·       introduction,

·       body of paper in sections according to outline,

·       conclusion,

·       bibliography (with 12-15 articles, 8-12 books),

(11) Final draft (10%) – 2-25 pp. (6000-7500 words) mechanically flawless and complete piece of original research

·       title: subtitle,

·       abstract,

·       ten keywords,

·       outline,

·       introduction,

·       body of paper in sections according to outline,

·       conclusion,

·       bibliography (with 18+ articles, 15+ books)

Oral presentation (10% of final grade)

- brief (15-20 min.) in-class presentation of the arguments of the research.  10 min Q & A. Presentation must make use of ‘information technology.’  
Email presentation at least two days before scheduled date. Turn in draft of accompanying paper at time of presentation.  
Paper and presentation materials are not one and the same although they will certainly share elements.