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Sample topics
See Topic suggestions for a long list of possible topics (PDF File).

Guidelines/specifications for the paper

Investigate the topic. Use articles and/or books, etc., for background.

Don't just report. Discuss pros and cons. Evaluate. Use your own words. Quote where appropriate. Give citations for facts and quotes. Discuss how your topic relates to material covered in the text and/or in class discussions.

The paper should be approximately 3000 words.

Basic outline for the paper

• Cover page with title and your name

• Introduction/overview of topic and issues to be discussed

• Background, description, and/or history of the issue

• Issues, various points of view

• Results of interviews, observations, etc.

• Your comments or evaluation

• Summary

• List of references

• Appendix (if needed)
   

The project is to be done during this course. Do not turn in a paper done earlier for another course or for your job.

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Reminders and warnings

Remember what this course is about. Do not turn in papers that are purely factual or historic (e.g., a history of the Internet, a summary of computer technology used in the military). Such papers will not get high scores. You must include discussion of issues.

One of the most common problems with papers is poor organization. Write an outline. Organize your thoughts. You may use section headings to indicate the topic or purpose of sections of the paper.

A few students have waited until late in the semester to get started, then discovered that information on their topic was unavailable or people they wanted to interview refused. Start early in case you have to change topics or find a new interviewee or site visit.

Use a variety of sources for information and arguments. If you use articles from the Web, give the URL and the organization sponsoring the site. There's a lot of junk and unsupported opinion on the Web. Pay attention to quality of your sources. (If your topic is covered in the text, do not use the text as a main source. Report in more depth and/or on newer or other aspects of the topic.)

Now and then, a student hands in a paper he or she did not write at all or in which large segments are copied from other sources. Please don't do this. It is dishonest, unfair to your fellow students, and unpleasant for both you and me. Plagiarism is reported to the appropriate university discipline office. Write in your own words. Start early; talk to me if you have problems.

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Requirements for submitting your topic description (due on date noted in course calendar)

Include a title and one or two paragraphs describing what you plan to do. Be as specific as you can. Include at least one good reference you plan to use (e.g., a book, an article, a Web site).

There will be a limit on the number of students doing any single topic, so it will be good to have a second topic in mind in case you choose one that has too many people.

Topic descriptions should be submitted to me via email in WebCT on or before the deadline.  I will respond individually via email in WebCT.

Grading criteria

The project is worth approximately 25% of the course grade. It will be graded 0-250. 

Grading criteria include: background or history, presentation of issues and various points of view, quality of argument and analysis (principles, examples, counterexamples), structure/organization, clarity of writing, sufficient references, sufficient length, and originality. You should define terms where necessary. Be sure to read and edit your final copy before handing it in.

References on writing and research

Joseph Williams, Style: Ten Lessons on Clarity and Grace.
Gordon Harvey, Writing With Sources: A Guide for Students (Hacket, 1998).
Citing Correctly

Formatting

To format your paper, you should use a recognized style manual such as the Chicago Manual of Style or the APA Style Manual.  This will help you to be consistent in formatting your references, bibliography, etc.

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