The Death of U.S. Labor Unions: How this will worsen income inequality
These “topics” are very broad and meant simply to jump start your own thinking about a person, historical event, philosophy, or the like; know that the thesis and arguments in your research paper will need to be much more specific. Your research paper must relate in some (loose) way to one of these topics. If there’s something you’re very passionate about that you want to research for this assignment that doesn’t relate to one of the topics listed below, you may make an appointment with me on campus to discuss your research idea.
Artificial Intelligence: Friend or Foe?
Zombie Culture and American Ideology
US Labor Movements, Then and Now (unions/strikes/workers’ rights/etc)
The Ethics and Rights of Assisted Suicide
Effectiveness of D.A.R.E. Program or the “War on Drugs”
U.S. Interventions in Iraq (not just since 2003)
Video Games as Culture
Antibiotics and Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
Media and Sensationalism / the 24-Hour “News” Machine
P2P/Torrent Sites and Intellectual Property Rights
Net Neutrality in the 21st Century
A Specific Matter Related to Raising Children
Israel/Palestine Conflict
Local Food Movement
The Positive Thinking and/or Self Esteem Movements in the U.S.
The Ethics of Eating Animals
Rap/Hip Hop Culture, Poetry, and Masculinity
Food Safety, GMOs, and/or the Food Industry
WikiLeaks, Edward Snowden, Intellectual Property
Online Classes vs. the Traditional Classroom
Should prostitution be illegal?
J.M. Coetzee and South African Literature
Madness and “Mental Illness” (Foucault)
Rampage Shootings: Systemic Causes and How to Prevent Them
LGBTQ Equality and Civic Rights
The “Northern Light(s)” and the End of the Tunnel: The Marijuana Legalization Controversy
A Controversial Policy or Practice in the Medical Field
Philosophy and Pop Culture (apply a philosophical or literary theory to pop culture “text”)
Drone Technology: Illegal War or New Frontier of Aviation (or both)?
Civility in Modern Society and Political Discourse (note: this is not an opportunity for political rants on either the mainstream political left or right)
Human Trafficking
An Issue Related to Reproductive Rights
16 Nov 2019 23:50
The research paper affords you the opportunity to choose a topic that interests you (from the list I provide), conduct in-depth research into that topic, and make a research-based argument related to that topic. Your paper should not just be an informational research paper (although it will no doubt inform) but should have some position you’re taking and some overarching point you’re trying to make.
Audience
Your intended audience for this assignment will be a scholarly audience of academics. As always, you need to think about their needs as readers. Much of your audience may not be familiar with the details or history of the topic about which you write.
Assignment
Choose one of the topics from the list provided that interests you, and then work to narrow that topic down into a more focused argument. Your narrowed topic need only relate in some way to one of the topics I provided. Your paper will need to be 8-10 full pages and must have a minimum of 7 reputable sources, of which two must be scholarly sources, as defined in the course. Various assignments connected to the research paper (such as the abstract and annotated bibliography) will be worth additional points. Remember that the paper needs to have a point to it, an argument, which you will support with your research.
Evaluation Criteria
• Appropriate response to the prompt
• 8-10 full pages in length; proper use of MLA format
• Clear thesis statement that is developed throughout the essay
• Carefully thought out introduction and conclusion
• A focused purpose in your writing – not too broad
• Proper use of colons and semi-colons
• Effective use of extended quotations
• Effective use of counter-arguments
• Evidence of critical thinking and reflection
• Minimum of 7 reputable outside sources, including 2 scholarly sources.
• Appropriate stylistic choices (avoid weak verbs, wordiness, avoid first and second person personal pronouns).
