POLITICAL SCIENCE
1. Topic: Choose a topic of particular interest to you in federal, state or local government and pose a research question to be explored.
Find a topic mentioned in one of the assigned textbooks by David Lawrence or Gary Wasserman.
2. Term Paper:
⦁ Prepare a professional, academic quality written term paper of 3-5 pages in length,
in Chicago Manual of Style format: typewritten, proof-read, and
⦁ Containing at least three separate sources, using footnotes or endnotes; citations may consist of textbook excerpts; instructor lecture notes or other academic sources.
Two of the three sources must be from the required textbooks or lecture notes.
⦁ Integrate topics, theories, and material covered in class with the topic (four times is recommended).
⦁ Critically assess one or more of the prevalent views, factual bases, or conclusions involved with the topic and cite reasons for your agreement or disagreement with the prevalent views.
A general outline to use, which you may feel free to modify as needed.
I. Introduction–the purpose of this paper, the topic of interest to you in state, local or federal government and the research question or thesis to be explored and what you will attempt to answer
II. Present authorities and material on the topic
III. Issues and Challenges associated with the topic
⦁ Bring in material from the texts and other sources
⦁ Integrate material covered in class at least four times
IV. Analysis and discussion in which you critically assess one or more of the prevalent views, factual bases, or conclusions involved with the topic and cite reasons for your agreement or disagreement with the prevalent views
V. Conclusion
⦁ This is an academic paper based on facts and evidence. State your findings and theory objectively instead of using personal qualifiers.
⦁ Factual conclusions should be supported by citation sources.
