Research Paper for HUMU 200

 Research Paper for HUMU 200

While it may not seem like it at first glance, this could be one of the most creative, unique, and personal projects that you undertake during the duration of your undergraduate career. It is hoped that you will use this opportunity to create a paper that is important to you, focusing on a topic.

The purpose of this document is to give complete details about the Research Paper for HUMU 200. It consists of three pieces:

1. First, the Research Paper Topic Proposal, due in week 3, worth 150 points maximum;
2. The Final Version of the paper, due in week 7, worth 200 points maximum;
3. The Final Presentation, due in week 8, worth 50 points maximum.

It is intended that you will have this project on your radar throughout the entire term and work on it accordingly. It will not be possible to write an acceptable paper in a day or two. Further, you are expected to be in ongoing consultation with your instructor about your paper, via email and journal reflections, as well as your classmates, via the DBs.

This project is worth a total of 400 possible points, which is 40% of the course grade. It is important that each step is completed in sequence and on time. It is important to have a trimester-long project in this course, as many of your subsequent courses at Brandman will have similar, yet more stringent, requirements.[unique_solution]

Also, please be aware that your instructor may modify the project requirements as she sees fit. These requirements can also be adjusted to more closely mirror each instructor’s individual teaching philosophy.

Each step of the process is explained in detail below.

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First things first: Organizing

In the first week of the course, you should begin this process. Before you begin considering options for the paper or project, you must write down the due dates for the proposal (due week 3), final draft (week 7), and presentation (week 8) in your personal calendar. These due dates will not change.

In order to write a quality paper or project, it’s imperative that students work on the paper throughout the term. Please note: all of these deadlines must be met in order to fulfill the requirements for the course and ultimately, receive a grade for the final research paper.

While individual instructors may have varying policies concerning late work, it is intended that this project is an ongoing and consistent exchange of ideas and drafts between the student and instructor throughout the term.

How to choose your topic:

When you are deciding on what would be an acceptable topic for the research paper, ask yourself these questions:

1. What topics in this course are of interest to me? (You should read the table of contents and the index in the Smith book, the syllabus, and the Suggestions for Research Paper Topics document to help you identify some possible ideas.)

2. Your topic can vary from a personal interview of a woman in your life who you find to be unique, or can focus on a law, public figure, or social trend. You have a large degree of latitude when creating your topic.

3. Select at least three topics or broad themes that you find interesting. Then as you look at the viability of each one, you can determine which you would like to do for the project.

Your topic should do the following things:

1. Discuss a particular person/place/thing/event/conflict that has been significant in the discipline of women’s studies.
2. Refer to credible primary and secondary sources. If you are unsure about whether your source is legitimate, please consult your instructor for guidance.
3. Investigate the broader themes as well, to give you a better understanding of the social and political norms during the period.
4. Cite all of the information and claims in your paper to ensure you stay on topic. If you need help locating acceptable sources, consult your instructor for guidance. Also you can email Mr. Cotton Coslett at the Chapman Library. He will be happy to meet with you and suggest options and sources for your paper. His email is: coslett@brandman.edu
5. Finally, there are writing services that the University has, via the Online Writing Community, that can help you edit your paper for clarity, tone, and logical topic progression. Please ask your instructor if you think such a service might be of interest to you.

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What must be in the topic proposal?

Briefly, your proposal must be able to answer the question:

1. Why is this person/thing/event important in our course? How is it relevant to what we have/will discuss?
2. What specific tie in of your topic and the Smith book (and any other assigned readings your instructor selects) do you see?

Regardless of your topic, everyone must complete the topic proposal during week 3. It is worth 150 points. Keep in mind that this is a formal proposal. It should not be written in casual language and cannot be completed hastily with the expectation of having the topic approved or earning a decent grade. It requires a significant amount of thought and consideration in order to be approved. Please know that the instructor will return your proposal with either an approval of your topic, or suggestions for modification.

Please be aware that no topic is guaranteed approval. The proposal is a request to research a topic and should be framed thusly.

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Name

Date

HUMU 200

Research Paper Topic Proposal

Working title of paper: In a few concise words, you should be able to give the reader an idea of what you would like to discuss. You should at least have a few descriptive nouns and one action verb in the working title so your reader knows what to expect.

Your proposal, at minimum, should be two or three double-spaced pages and address the following points (although you would “not” number them).

1. Write an introductory sentence in which you grab the reader’s attention quickly, as well as express why this topic that you are suggesting was important. Why was it controversial? Why was it unique during the time? What was unusual about your subject?
2. Next, you should present some sort of working thesis. You should address:
3. What is your research agenda for the project?
4. Why is this topic important in women’s studies? What does Smith (or other authors we consult in our course) have to say about it? Who are some scholars/authors who have done work related to this subject?
5. Then you should explain why you chose this particular topic or option. Are you especially interested in this topic for certain reasons? Explain.

Summary: These are only the basic elements that should be included in your paper. Your proposal must be at least 2-3 pages long and will be graded based on the following criteria:

• Introductory Sentence (in which you grab the reader’s attention and describe the time period, person, event, or thing you want to discuss)
• Working Thesis (clearly state what you wish to do in your project)
• Identify scholars/authors who have done work related to the topic (including Smith and anyone else, as applicable).
• Identify some sources related to your paper/project
• Explain why you chose this particular option and why it is of interest to you

Make sure to follow your instructor’s specific guidelines for submitting your paper. Then, after submitting your proposal during the third week of class, your instructor will return your submission with his or her comments in about a week. If you have not heard from your instructor by the beginning of week 5, you should check and make sure that the paper was received. It is the responsibility of the student, not the faculty member, to follow up if the grade is missing.

Now, your topic has been approved. You can begin working on your final version of the paper that will be due during week 7 and worth 200 points, as well as your class presentation for week 8, which is worth 50 points.

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What must be in the final draft?

As you begin to write your final draft that is due in week 7 and worth 200 points, you should do the following:

1. Look very closely at the comments that were written by your instructor in your proposal. These are items that *must* be changed in order for the student to receive credit for the first draft and final draft of the paper. The comments are *not* optional suggestions. Based on these comments, you will receive feedback on the general direction of your paper. With this in mind, you can proceed to the next step.

2. Based on your proposal and the feedback given there, begin to expand on your ideas. Specifically, if you have questions for your instructor, you may email her privately. She will be happy to speak with you further about your project.

3. Include graphics, photos, statistics, charts, newspaper clippings, music tracks as needed, following the guidelines stated by your instructor. Remember you must include an explanation in the text of your paper why this piece was added. (Such as “As illustrated in this Time Magazine cover from 2015 . . . . “) Also, you must cite the source of the visual/audio supplement you include. Here are the related guidelines for inserting such items within your paper à

4. Have a solid working bibliography. (This is expected to include sources that are supplemental and that may not be directly relevant to the annotated bibliography.) Remember: ***Anyone who uses websites like Wikipedia, Ask.com, eHow, or any K-12 educational website will, at the discretion of the instructor, automatically be deducted a letter grade on the first offense. Subsequent offenses will receive harsher penalties, with a maximum of a 0 on the project. This is to protect the academic integrity of this course, which is held to University-level standards.***
5. Also, make sure to follow the proper guidelines for citing sources for your paper. You can use either MLA or APA, whichever is required by your instructor.

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What should be in my final paper?

By the time you reach the due date, which is during week 7, most of the “heavy lifting” for the project should have been done. While you will still have to make writing changes and perhaps consult a few more sources, the hardest part should be behind you. Having followed all of the above criteria, along with any additional comments that your instructor makes about your work, you will have an original piece of research that can perhaps serve as an excellent writing example for a potential employer or graduate school admissions committee.

Summary: Your final draft is worth 200 points, should be 6-8 pages, and will be graded based on the following criteria:

• Culmination of changes suggested by your instructor to the proposal and additional meetings, emails, and correspondence.
  • Introduction (description of topic and thesis)
  • Main Body (develop and explain ideas that support thesis by incorporating research)
  • Conclusion (restating thesis and summary of findings)
  • Bibliography (minimum of 4 primary sources)
• Cover page is optional.
• Graphics/pictures should be placed in the appropriate places throughout the paper.

***See rubric for more information about how you will be graded.***

Summary: Your final draft will be graded based on the following criteria:

• Expand on your ideas in your proposal (based on instructor’s feedback)
  • Develop introductory sentence into a paragraph (in which you describe the time period, person, event, conflict, or thing you want to discuss)
  • Develop thesis (make sure to take a position on your topic, specifically cite the event/person/thing you plan to investigate.)
  • Develop body of paper
    • Support thesis by identifying at least four scholars/authors who have done work related to the topic
  • If you include graphics/photos/statistics/charts/newspaper clippings/music tracks, explain why they were added.