The Current Events Application Paper resembles the Critical Analysis in its guidelines (grading rubrique pasted below). The difference here is that I’m asking you to summarize and/or concretize the main points from a current news item dealing with some aspect of globalization in Africa. Ideally, the themes touched upon in the news story should somehow intersect with themes in our theoretical or fictional readings.

I’m asking you to mine your news story from a *reliable* on-line source (no Wikipedia or Yahoo Answers, please). Suggested sites that you may find useful:

http://www.nytimes.com/pages/world/africa/

http://allafrica.com/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/africa/)

This paper should be 2-3 pages, typed and double-spaced, in which you give a summary and analysis of a certain on-line news article dealing with some aspect of globalization in Africa. Please do provide references for direct quotations, of course (either MLA or Chicago Style), as well as a proper Works Cited page. Each citation system has proper ways of doing this, so let me know if you’re not sure about how to go about that.

Best,

ND

Grading rubrique:

_____ / 20 Structure: Evident, understandable, appropriate. Excellent transitions from point to point. Paragraphs support solid topic sentences. 

_____ / 40 Use of textual evidence and key terms: Primary source information used to buttress every point with at least one example. Examples support statements and fit within paragraph. Excellent integration of quoted material into sentences. Demonstrates an in-depth understanding of the ideas in the assigned reading and critically evaluates/responds to those ideas in an analytical, persuasive manner.

_____ / 30 Analysis, logic, theory, and argumentation: Work displays critical thinking. All ideas in the paper flow logically; the argument is identifiable, reasonable, and sound. Creates appropriate college-level, academic tone. May employ up to two scholarly sources (MLA or Chicago Style format). Has headings, in-text citations, and page numbers. Uses reading skills.

_____ / 10 Mechanics: Sentence structure, grammar, and diction excellent; correct use of punctuation and citation style; minimal to no spelling errors.

_____ / 100 TOTAL POINTS EARNED