2 Class Papers for Geography
You will write two term papers for this class. We will use ASA format, which is considered by many to be the simpler of the different academic formats. If you are unfamiliar with this format, or perhaps a bit rusty on paper writing, I will post a couple of separate documents on ASA requirements. I also strongly encourage anyone who might have rusty writing skills to visit the writing center for help. You can bring them your rough draft and ask for tips. You will be expected to know the basics of college level writing assignments. Beware of plagiarism; all papers will go through a scan for plagiarism that searches the web and academic works. Plagiarism will not be accepted. I WILL GIVE ADVICE IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS ON TOPICS THAT STUDENTS OFTEN LOSE POINTS ON.
You can pick if you wish to do your 2 papers as a Research Paper or a Case Study. These are very similar, but do have some minor differences. Your first paper is to focus on one topic from the first 6 chapters of “The Human Mosaic”or the book “The Grace of Silence” and the second is to focus on a topic from chapters 6-12 or the book “The Latehomecomer”.
Research Papers:
As you read your texts, you are to decide on a topic you wish to research more that is specifically discussed in the book. You need to find four different sources that also discuss this issue and contrast each of these with one another and our textbook. STUDENTS LOSE POINTS FOR NOT SPECIFICALLY CONTRASTING THEIR SOURCES WITH OUR TEXTBOOK.
Be sure to not simply summarize each, but always remember that college level writing assignments are about synthesis, critical thinking and analysis. Also, be sure to structure your paper properly with an introduction where you explain what your paper is all about, a body where you compare and contrast your sources, and a conclusion where you summarize your findings and give some end thoughts.
The purpose of this type of assignment is to have you demonstrate your ability to create a statement of a problem within a reasonable scope, investigate the research and studies by others that relates to your issue (using a balanced perspective from multiple, credible sources), and then compare and contrast those works in order to arrive at conclusions. Research papers must follow ASA guidelines for formatting and citations. A minimum of one of your sources must be an academic source from a peer reviewed book or academic journal. If you are unsure what these are, you should visit our library or the writing center for help.
This assignment is to be between 1,000 and 1,500 words using at least 5 sources (DO NOT USE WIKIPEDIA OR OTHER ENCYCLOPEDIAS).
Problem Papers/Case Studies:
These books discuss many real world problems and solutions that are as current as today’s headlines. As you read this book, you are to decide on a problem you wish to research more that is specifically discussed in the book. You need to find four different sources that also discuss this issue and contrast each of these with one another and our textbook. Just to underscore this again, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO CONTRAST YOUR SOURCES WITH OUR TEXTBOOK.
Be sure to not simply summarize each, but always remember that college level writing assignments are about synthesis, critical thinking and analysis. Also, be sure to structure you paper properly with an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. Read more about these at the above link. In a nutshell, your introduction is where you lay out what you are going to do in your paper and state your basic argument/thesis. Your conclusion is where you summarize what you have covered and point to future possibilities or directions for research.
The purpose of this type of assignment is to have you demonstrate your ability to properly and sensibly apply concepts, processes, and information to a real-world problem. In your paper you will need to identify the critical issues or problems, identify the theories or processes that can be applied to the problem that you have found, identify possible alternative solutions, and then choose the best alternative and explain how to implement it as best you can. Pick manageable topics, something like “globalization” is must too huge; focus on a specific instance or case to study.
This assignment is to be between 1,000 to 1,500 words and use at least 5 sources (NOT WIKIPEDIA OR OTHER ONLINE ENCYCLOPEIDAS). Remember, one of your sources is required to be your textbook.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the act of using another person’s ideas, writings, diagrams, or materials without giving specific credit known as a citation. In an academic environment, plagiarism is considered theft, and therefore if you plagiarize any materials, you may face failure of the assignment, failure of the course, or other penalties up to and including expulsion from the university. More information regarding plagiarism and disciplinary policies can be found on the University’s website at the page:
http://www.metrostate.edu/handbook/academic.html
You are responsible for you own conduct and must cite sources for all referenced materials. Accusations of plagiarism can be easily avoided by properly citing the resources and materials you are using in your assignments. A website that assists you in creating the proper academic citations of materials is the Landmark Project’s Citation Machine, which can be found at the web page:
http://www.citationmachine.net/
As part of academic honesty, you are expected to respect intellectual property laws, including copyright law. No parts of this site, your textbook, other publisher materials, materials or statements created by your instructor, or contributions from other class members can be used or distributed outside of this class without the permission of the author(s). Copyright law provides that any creative thought fixed into a tangible form is copyrighted the moment it is created, whether or not a copyright notice is affixed. That means that anything you contribute in discussions, send in an email, or write in a paper is also copyrighted as soon as you have created it and others may not use it without proper citation and/or your permission.
Your intellectual property rights as a student are described at the web page http://www.mnscu.edu/board/policy/326.html. If you desire, you have the right to give your instructor written permission to use samples of your work as instructional aids in future classes.
Jermaine Byrant
Nicole Johnson
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